The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-12
Reputation

Continued From Page Ia

ing INTO the klri cneeks. m
probably putting it very stupidity.
You see I've never known q
girl like you before.
And l want you to think well
OF me. I've been playing At his
for the past four years but I'm
going To turn over a new leaf.
Please say that you believe me-"
II would have been cruel TO tell
him that she didn't. That she con-
sidered this miracle merely q tenn
porsry one.
Il believe you are being sim
cere," she said slowly.
But you don't think can do
it," he persisted.
Gail smiled.
Il hope you will"
You don't know me-" he said
proudly. Il never make a promise
1 can't keep. I'm going To the Of
flee with my father every day for
the next year"
And what about the hunting
and fishing and polo ?"
Only over the weekends," he
asserted.
Good Reason
He was making her the reason
for his reform so plainly that abe
felt uncomfortable but in her
heart she wanted him to make
good. When he said, I'm going to
do this no matter what your at
titude is but I do wish you'd be
friends with me. I've never wanted
anything 50 much in my life."
of course" she answered In a
low voice, not wanting her mother
to hear. And now you really must
60"
He met Bill at the door and all
though they greeted each other
cordially Gail could see that Bill
was surprised and almost as dis.
approving as her mother had been.
He asked a little too casually,
Have you changed your ideas
since saw you last?"
Gail felt guilty. Unable to ex-
plain her conduct to herself. how
could she hope to do so to Bill?
She answered staunchly. Moth
ing has changed but I've begun TO
realize there are more angles to
the situation than I suspected"
II warned you of that" Bill re-
minded her.
Il know you did, but isn't IL
strange that Of all the employees
at the store the only one who
wants to be friendly is Mr.. Reds
SOM"
Good Egg
Chris Is a good egg" Bill said,
looking troubled. But where girls
are concerned :"
Gail tried to smile and felt the
lines of her mouth Tightening in
stead.
Don't worry about mel l can
look after myself"
1T isn't his fault" Bill added.
It's only that women always take
him too seriously.
Il really don't see, darling. what
you can gain by seeing him outside
the store"
Mother agrees with you but
since I'm into this I'm not going
to leave a stone unturned."
Bill asked, You certainly don't
think Chris had anything to do
with the stolen jewelry ?"
Il did at first" Gail admitted.
HE went through college with
what he considered a meager al
lowance. Since he resented this IL
was possible he might have taken
the things feeling his father owed
them to him, then tried to blame
1t on someone else when 1t was dis
covered"
Wrong Track
You're on the wrong track"
Bill declared frowning.
Il know 1t now" Gail replied.
Going to the desk where her
mother kept the list Gail had given
her she drew pencil through the
name of Christopher Reid. And as
she did SO the relief of knowing
he had nothing to do with 1t made
her suddenly gay.
She put her hand upon Bills
arm saying, Come on, Bill! Lets
not talk about it any more today"
He was glad to accept her sug-
gestion but that night when she
returned Gail found her mother
sitting at the desk with the list in
her hand.
why did you cross out Chris
TOPPER Reds name?" Anna de-
manded.
Gail sighed. Bill had been right.
There seemed little chance of vim
dicating her father after all these
years and the only result so far
had been the increased tension and
worry 1t was causing her mother.
Chris couldn't have done such
a thing" Gail said gently.
But she could see that Anna did
not believe her.
ITO Be Continuod)