The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-16
Reputation

tContlnutd FROM rage lo1
at the store are probably the only
ones who remember anything
about it It isn't as if it weren't
your own sister who is guilty.
Wouldn't it be wiser just to drop
the whole thing"
I've waited five years" Anna
insisted stubbornly. No matter
who has to suffer Robert Tren-
tons name must be cleared"
She repeated it again that night
when John Reid came to the apart
ment with his son. Gail thought
he looked years older than when
she had seen him last. He had
told her not to return TO the store
until after the weekend and 1t was
shock to see him so nervous and
troubled.
Trust Fund
Mrs. Trenton" he said, Il am
not going to ask you forgiveness
for an injustice which can never
be repaired. l do want to tell you
however that I have established
trust fund in your name which
will pay you hllf of your hus-
bands former salary for as long as
you live. 1t isn't a great deal but
it will make you independent"
II can't accept it." Anna said
proudly.
You'll have to-" he assured her.
Because it's already been taken
care Of ana the bank will mail
you the checks the first of every
month. feel sure your husband
would want you to use this money.
Do it for his sake if not for your
own"
IT'S kind of you" Anna admit
ted. "but after all it was my own
sister who took the jewelry from
your store and tried to kill your
son. 1t makes a great deal of diff
ference to me but it couldn't pos
sibly to you that it was Belle
Meadows and not my husband"
Let Him Down
"On the contrary it matters a
great deal to me, too" he contra
dicted her. Robert Trenton was
one of the most loyal employees I
ever had. I would be happy over
having my own faith in him re-
stored If / didn't have to realize
that when he needed me most I
let him down."
They faced each other sadly and
Gail watched anxiously to see what
her mother was going to do. But
Chris said, 1--we something of my
own to suggest. AS soon as Gail
and I are married I should like
to send you to California. 1t may
be bit unusual but I should like
to make that my wedding present
to my wife's mother"
But I'm not sure there's going
to be any wedding" Gail said
family.
oh yes there is" Chris re-
torted. You're going to marry
me if I have to knock you in the
head and drag you to the altar.
There's been all the delay I'm
going to stand for"
But If It comes out in the pa
pers about Aunt Belle :"
Even If your name is plastered
all over the front page of every
paper in town" Chris insisted,
you're going to become Mrs.
Christopher Reid"
Before Gail could reply Anna
rose to her feet. Holding her hand
to her heart in an unconsciously
dramatic gesture she said. Chris
is right. He's proved that he
loves you. But Robert wouldn't
want me TO do anything to spoil
1t. I've waited a long time to
prove him innocent and now" she
turned away choking with tears,
Il just can't do it,"
You don't have to-" John Reid
assured her. I've already taken
care of it." He unfolded the pa
per he carried and showed her a
small item on an inside page.
Robert Trenton who was con-
victed five years ago for the theft
of an emerald ring from the Reid
Jewelry store where he worked as
manager has been completely ex-
onerated of any connection with
the case by the confession of a
woman whose name is being with
held. Mr.. John Reid, owner of the
store. says he will not prosecute
the guilty party as she Is now i'll
and confined in sanitarium."
Anna read it over twice.
May keep this ?" she in
quired. But no. it won't be
necessary. We must buy lot of
copies 80 that I can send them to
all his friends"
She turned to the older man and
the tears sparkled in her dark
eyes.
You've done everything a per-
son could do" she admitted. I'm
sure Robert would not want me to
hold anything more against you"
Thank you" he said and turn
ing walked abruptly from the
room. Ito Be Continued)