The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-13
CHAPTER SEVEN


Monday morning found mother
and daughter at the breakfast
table In strained silence. Anna
looked pale and wan and Gail re-
preached herself for her own high
spirits.
Life had been more interesting
for her since she had changed posi-
tons. II 1t hadn't been for her
mother she felt now she would
have taken Bills advice to let the
mystery remain unsolved.
II wasn't as II her father were
still living But she told her
self this was not the right way for
her to feel.
How could she be so disloyal?
Anna's eyes, bitter and anxious,
searched her face as II she knew
what was in her daughters heart.
But she did not speak until Gail
said, why don't you 20 back to
bed for awhile? You look 30
tired"
I'm not tired" Anna said DULY.
Suddenly she blurted, whats the
matter with you, Gail? You've been
working at Reds a month and we
don't know any more than We did
before"
Gail put down her cup and tried
to reply patiently.
But what can I do, Mother? II
I question anyone directly they'll
get suspicious. Whatever find out
win have to be secretly and l can't
do IL all at once. / may never be
able to get any real proof"
you didn't talk like that a
month ago." Anna reminded her.
II didn't realize how difficult II
would be-" Gail admitted.
She rose and kissed the sad,
colorless face.
I'll do everything can, darling.
You may depend on that. II could
only make friends with the book
keeper. feel she may know some
thing. but / don't think she likes
me-"
From the first Helen Stiles had
avoided her. making no remark
beyond a cool response to Calls
greeting. Even when the younger
girl followed her into the dressing
room Helen remained aloof.
She would sit by the window
smoking q cigaret AZ II she were
alone. sweeping out when she had
finished without 30 much as
smile. But. fired with new deter
mination. Gail decided to force the
issue.
Perhaps the exotic looking wom-
an was shy or indifferent. Not
really hostile. There was only one
way to find out.
Gail loitered at her desk until
Miss stiles had on her hat, caught
up with her as she reached the
street saying In q friendly fash
ion. Cant We have lunch to-
gether today! Tn so tired eating
by myself"
Refuses Date
sorry" Helen stiles replied
briefly. Il have an engagement"
She hurried away as If she ex-
pected to be followed. Calls
cheeks were hot from the rebuff.
'.she needn't have been 30
snooty about IT," she thought. But
at least ] know now that she
doesn't want TO be friends. She's
made il quite obvious"
She was about to enter a nearby
restaurant when Hazel Stone
caught her arm crying breezily,
why didn't you wait for me 20
Gail made an excuse which the
other girl did not wait to hear.
My dear, I've just had the
weirdest experience. Why is It all
the old men who aren't in the least
attractive are always falling for
me? This chap n old enough 10 be
my grandfather. Wen / met him
about two weeks ago and he has
simply been pursuing me ever
since"
She babbled on until Gall was
too exhausted to listen. Apparent
~ there wasn't a brain in the
fluffy blond head but when Calls
eyes met Haxel's she saw an in
tensity which was startling.
Hazel desperately wanted TO be
believed. For some reason Gail