The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-19
CHAPTER FORTY.EIGHT

"And 50 I'm checking out Of it,
MIR. Merrifield," Bill Bailey was
saving, deep emotion in his voice.
81 discovered weeks. ago that
couldn't 60 on, trying to help some,
body else make love to Gayle.
Lordy, Mr.. Merrifield, I fell In
love with her myself the moment
first entered this room!"
The old gentleman had sat down
gaping at the youths, confused
Bill stood near his desk with one
arm around Gayle, and Jeremy
was close by. Gayle leaned for
ward and spoke then, almost plead
ing.
1I-we-entered that arrange
ment impulsively, Mr.. Merrl
field!' She tucked in her lower
Lip a moment to control herself
eve did. Bill has loved me al
along-I knew it! I knew that !
loved him. But we've needed
Jobs. And we wanted to help Jer'
envy, honestly we did. We came
to like him more and more, AND
all the while our friendship mixed
up our plans and"
81 say-see here" Jeremy
tried to get in, but Bill took the
floor again.
81 thought we'd work for a while
and try to make the plays show
a profit. Mr.. Mortified SO that
YOU wouldn't have to lose a dime
of money on us, then"
Jeremy forced in then. See
here, l know about the $4,000
grandfather offered you! I over
heard him telling his friends to
night. At first I was angry, but
realized that he did it to help me
And IL needed-needed W a
you brought to me, Bill, you ane
Gayle. You haye-Well-" Al
embarrassment halted him now.
then we would step out O.
the picture entirely, Mr.. Merri
field" Bill resumed his owl
speech. 1--WE would have done
that after tonight. 1 mean, l hae
made up my mind to ask Gayle tt
leave with me, toto marry me
And"
'Oh, Bill"
land 1 do not want the money
not a cent of it, sir! We haven
earned it, anyway. I suppose
have been unfair to Gayle, but
couldn't know in advance abou
falling in love myself. I can't con
troll love. Nobody can! Love am
happiness can't be ordered c. o
D. like alike a car of mining
machinery, Mr.. Merrifield!"
Gayle was nodding, nodding en-
phatic agreement with her Bill
now.
The old gentleman had inhal
ID slowly, prodigiously. He Leaned
back in his comfortable chair anc
studied them a long moment
quietly, calming them by his yer.
manner.
Jeremy spoke next, and he hat
visibly relaxed, too.
"Grandfather offered you $40,
900 EACH" he said very slowly
gazing at the fire. THAT was to-
to help-me." His voice was
bare murmur now. II do not know
how you feel now, grandfather
about that. well, I proposed II
Gayle because I knew you wanted
me to. Knew you had-planned it
Planned happiness. Ordered it
Connived for it, for us all"
He had to pause then from sheel
emotion.
"As for the $40, OOO," he final.
resumed, why II have a grea
deal Of money myself. And grand
father-their pay has been
earnedl"
He ended in a dramatic whisper
And he might have said more, o,
surely all Of them would h a
talked longer, but for a soft, dis
Greet tapping at the study d o o r
ALI their eyes turned toward it in
voluntarily and the old man spoke
Come"
The door opened ever so gentl.
md Lola Montesa's lovely fac
jhowed. It had, however, a distinc
look of worry.
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly. q"
have COON, looking. Thee play
we could not find you, Beel. An
Gayle and Jeremee. Iss anytheen
-wrong?"
REI,A I,ANAN- COITRT