The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-22
Reputation

Continued From Page Three)
that there is nothing personal
about IT. What l mean is If there
were no one but myself to con-
slider it would be very different.
Feels Weak
The tenderness in his voice
made her feel weak.
Whatever il is l have a bunch
that things are going to work
out for us in the end. / haven't
given you up"
Almost he persuaded her TO be-
lieve that in spite of the circum-
stance there might yet be a
chance for her to have a normal
happy life then she saw Anna
pushing aside the window curtain
to stare down into the snowy
street. No, ii was useless.
You mustn't feel that way"
Gail said sadly. And you mustn't
try to see me outside the store.
Please, Chris. 1t just makes it
more difficult for both of us"
He took her hands and held
them saying. II have the tenacity
OF my father when there's some
thing want. But I won't waste
words talking about it. Time
alone can prove that I am right"
Like q Dream
Gail left him feeling warm and
comforted. The ride through the
snow covered streets had been
like a dream. She felt as if she
had been with him in a magic
world where nothing ugly could
exist.
Her cheeks felt fresh from the
cold damp air. Her eyes were
dancing like stars as she opened
the door of the room where Anna
waited.
Il was worried about you" her
mother admitted. You're late. l
suppose the snow has made all
the cars off schedule"
The snow is wonderful" Gail
murmured. Like a lovely white
carpet spread over all the dirt and
drabness of the city"
Anna looked at her wondering
how she could be so radiant.
How quickly youth recovered its
high spirits. Her daughter had
left in the morning pale and list
less, refusing her breakfast and
was returning at the end of what
must have been an exhausting day
with roses blooming in her cheeks.
Something smells wfully
good" Gail cried. "Oh, Swiss
steak. And Waldorf salad. Won
derful. I'm so hungry can hardly
wait"
Anna had worried all day for
fear Gail wouldn't eat any dinner
after she had cooked it. The
woman's heavy heart lightened
with the only joy she ever felt but
If she had known the cause of
this change how different would
have been her reaction.
Mood Persists
AS Christmas approached Calls
mood held. Gently but persistently
she discouraged any discussion of
the past trying to divert her moth
er's mind by relating incidents
which had happened at the store;
suggesting that she spend more
time with Aunt Belle or accom-
panying her to a movie. Bill help
ed. Anna definitely liked him now
and he seemed TO be more at ease
with Calls mother than he was
with Gail.
On Christmas eve when he drop
ped in with candy for her he
brought pot of sweet African
violets for Anna, a gift which
brought tears to the older woman's
eyes.
Aunt Belle came for Christmas
dinner. 1t was she who answered
the door when a mess ger
brought that other small package
which bore Calls name.
Feels like jewelry,' Aunt Belle
remarked handing it to her niece.
Gail knew instantly that it was
from Chris. She said nothing but
her heart almost suffocated her as
she tore off the wrappings and
disclosed the small white box.
Inside was a tortoise shell comb
in a delicate case marked with her
initials in tiny diamonds.
Some Mistake
She held it murmuring. There
must be some mistake"
Mistake nothing" Belle Mea-
dows snorted. It's marked with
your initials, isn't it? But OF
course, Gail you can't keep it.
Those are real diamonds"
They are such little ones" GALL
said thinking how she dislikedN
Aunt Belle when she spoke so posi-
lively.
It's from Reds too" Miss
Meadows cried, bouncing on the
box with glittering eyes. For
shame, Gail, l shouldn't think
you'd even consider accepting a
present from Christopher Reid"
I'm give it back to him." Gail
promised. IF you won't say any,
thing about it to mother. There's
no use spelling her day by worry
ing about it,"
She returned it with a note ex-
planning that II was impossible for