The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-09
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The letter was In the mail box
when Gail returned from the hos
pital. She had found Chris weak
but happy. His father had been
there that morning he said and
they had had a long talk.
I'VE seem to be closer" Chris
confided, than we have been since
my mother died. You know you
were right about him. Gail. All
Dads hardness Is on the surface.
Underneath he Ia starved for affec-
ton and so eager to make amends.
He admitted he had always liked
you and now there is literally
nothing he won't be willing to do
for us. Gosh. darling. l can hardly
wait to get out Of here"
She pressed her face tender and
adoring against his hand. And as
she did so Chris reached beneath
his pillow and brought out a box.
Dad even sent over some rings
SO that you can take your choice"
She said, "Oh, Chris, how sweet
Of him. But I'd rather you'd select
it."
Wen do It together" he prom
Used, swapping open the lid of the
plush covered box. Gail gasped
when she saw the glittering array
of stones.
But these are worth a fortune"
Nothing is too good for my
girl" he affirmed. Come on,
Sweet. start trying them on. It's
Dads contribution and we mustn't
hurt him by refusing 1t. But 1
promise to buy your wedding ring
out OF my own hard-won earnings"
For over an hour they had de-
bated over their choice. So far as
Gail was concerned any one of
them would have thrilled her al
though In her heart she wished il
had been from Chris alone.
II John Reid thought he could
make up to her for the suffering
and disgrace of her parents d.
But she told herself this was not
the right attitude.
She loved Chris and was going
to marry him. So that eventually
she must learn to love his father,
too. But no ring could smother the
pain In Annals eyes or kill the
thought that John Reds change Of
heart had come too late.
Remembering 1t dimmed Calls
enthusiasm although she made an
effort not to show II and left the
hospital with the ring sparkling on
her hand. The letter was In the
mail box which Gail stopped to
unlock.
At first she gave II only a glance
then she saw that though II bore
a Detroit postmark it was adj
dressed in an unfamiliar hand.
MISS GALE EADOWS s."
Even her name had been misspell-
ed. Curiosity made her pause in
the narrow hall Of the apartment
and tear the envelope.
Her first impulse was to call her
mother. Her second recalling
AIMS remark the day before made
her thrust it into her pocketbook.
But Anna was not at home.
Evidently she was feeling well
enough to walk to the grocery
since the day was unusually mild.
So Gail was free to 60 into her
own room and closing the door
reresd the letter with hurt, unbe-
lieving eyes.
Dear Miss Meadows: II YOU
have any regard for the memory
OF your father you'd better leave
Chris Reid alone. Because II YOU
don't there Is going to be more
trouble and more disgrace for all
OF you" II was signed IN the same
sianting. almost iilegible hand,
BLOND FRIEND OF YOUR
FATHERS"
Calls features were set and
stern as she cried aloud. Il don't
believe IL. Some one Is hist irving
TO brighten me" But there was no
longer any doubt about there beins
blond woman IN the case. Chris
topher himself had seen her. He
couldn't have been mistaken. she