The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-19
Reputation
Continued From Page Ten)

Continued From Page Tenl
The only peace she had was in
bed and even then her tired mind
continually rehearsed the days
events trying to read the meaning
back OF Helen stiles mysterious
actions: forcing herself to recall
every word the silly blonde Hazel
Stone had said.
Bill was her salvation these
days, but she felt that his devo-
ton had not been the same since
he had seen her with Chris
She knew he suspected she was
In love with the other man al.
thought they were no longer see
ing each other. Chris, meanwhile.
had continued to appear at the
store every morning with his ia
Their.
slight Contact
Calls contact with him was
slight but Hazel had confided
that everyone In the organization
was talking about It wondering
what had happened.
His father Ii tickled pink about
It," she had added. leaving Gail to
wonder how the stenographer
knew what was going on in their
employers cynical mind.
Even now when her own eyes
were fastened on the swiftly nov
ing graceful bodies OF the hockey
players her thoughts were far
away.
She smiled automatically and
murmured brief responses to Bills
enthusiastic remarks but her At
tention was not really captured
until suddenly in a box quite near
to where they were sitting she
saw Christoper Reid with an.
other girl.
He was not looking at her 30
Gail had plenty of opportunity to
watch him as he flashed his gold
en- smile upon his companion. The
girl was wrapped In mink, wide
collar of 1t flared about her pref
ty, heart shaped face.
Her eyes, big and blue and trust
full, sparkled as she excitedly
seized his arm. They at least were
completely absorbed in the game
until as If drawn by the intensity
Of her gaze, the mans eyes turned
to Gail.
The smile faded from his face.
He nodded eravely and across the
space which separated them Calls
rebellious heart telegraphed Its
own message. She did not hear
Bills question. Did not know that
he had spoken until his eyes fol-
lowing hers saw why.
There's Chris" he said, waving
greeting.
Gail Wonders
Gail wondered if he would sug-
gest joining the other couple when
the game was over but Bill did
nothing OF the kind. Instead he
suggested stopping for chocolate.
Over the comforting cups Of
sweet hot liquid he said, I'm
going to say something you proba-
bly, won't like, Gail, but I've never
given you a bum steer yet, have
L"
Her eyes met his affectionately.
mo, Bill, you haven't"
you and Chris are In love with
each other" Bill stated quietly.
"And you are a fool if you let
your mother or anyone else stand
in your way"
Is Confused
She started 10 deny it then con-
fused and frightened remained si-
lent.
"It's true, isn't it," he urged.
Even IL il were, 1t is an inn
possible situation" she said in q
low voice.
Nothing is impossible unless
you let 1t be. There isn't such
thing a. an obstacle which cant
be overcome. ! hoped we could
be married because I thought you
loved me. But / know now that
you don't, and frankly I wouldn't
want to marry you while you have
another man in your heart.
Il care too much for you to
want you to be unhappy. Why
don't you face the situation hon.
estly7 Give up this idea Of clear
ing your fathers name"
Her face contracted with pain.
But don't you see, Bill, that
even though I did I'd have to tell
Chris who I am? Do you think
he'd want to marry me IL he
knew"
II he's the man I think he 10.
that wouldn't make any differ
ence," Bill assured her.
ITO he Continued)