The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-16
Reputation

CONTINUED From Page Eight
slowly as II in a daze the blurred
room cleared. Gail saw their table
and. standing beside 1t. Bill.
He knew. She could tell from
his grave eyes and proud quick
smile that he was hurt but he
spoke gayly.
"Greetingsl How goes it,"
Shows Town
Chris urged him to sit down but
Bill said. mo thanks, I'm enter
tanning some business acquaint-
ances for my father Showing
them the town but I didn't want
to leave without speaking to you"
81 should hope not Chris said
cordially while Gail added. II
haven't seen you. Bill. Have you
been here long,"
"Ail evening" he grinned. II
saw you the moment you came
in"
They watched him as he return
ed to his companions who were
preparing to 60. Then Chris said,
II used to be afraid you might
be in love with Bill. You remem-
Der I asked If you were engaged ?"
Il remember" she nodded.
ut certainly was a relief to
know you weren't" Chris con-
fessed.
The sight of Bill had been like
dash of cold water thrown in
her face. Bill had been wonder
full to her. He had asked her to
marry him even after she had
told him the truth about her
father. Had assumed without her
saying so that her only reason
for refusing hisl had been to
prove her fathers innocence.
At the time she had assumed
1t too. Bill would be good
husband. Any girl would be proud
to marry him. What madness it
was which made her love Chris
instead.
She would tell him she couldn't
see him again and get it over. No
use to wait. But before she could
speak Chris was leaning toward
her saying in a low voice, will
you marry me, sweet"
Her eyes could not meet the
binding glory of his gaze as she
replied desperately, II can't, Chris.
Don't ask me why. I can't even
see you any more. I intended
to tell you on the way home"
mot see me any more ?" he
demanded. But why"
MY mother doesn't want me
to-" she murmured.
IT know she doesn't like me,
but what does she have against
me ?"
Prejudice
1T sounds unreasonable, Gail
admitted But mother is pref
udiced."
You mean because you are
working for my father"
I'm a way" she evaded.
But good Lord, darling, II -
had designs on you I wouldn't be
asking you to marry me, would
/? Certainly that ought to make
my intentions clear to your
mother"
1t wouldn't make any difference,
Gail insisted. There was more
than that to it. Things she could
not explain. Mother has had too
much sorrow in her life already
for me to add to it," she said
sorrowfully. II could never marry
you. Chris. And we mustn't even
see each other again"
In a panic she seized the little
nosegay and pressed it against
her face. But she felt cold and
i'll with reaction. She had kept
her promise to her mother.
Not Chris or Bill or even the
vindication of her father.
Chris was bewildered but kind.
He said on the way home, There's
something behind all this and OF
course some day you'll tell me.
Until then I suppose all I can do
is leave you alone"
Leave her alone? Yes, that was
what she wanted. All she wanted
Gail admitted, trying to smile.
Some day you'll understand"
she permitted herself to say, Then
you'll realize that we hadn't a
chance from the first"
Now what do you mean by
that ?"
She almost pushed him away
from her in her desire to hide her
sorrow and defeat.
1T doesn't matter, does it?
Goodbye, Chris Thanks for a
lovely evening"
Her words Knocked at her. The
smile on her face was frozen.
Chris stared at her for moment,
then he said, Goodnight. my darl-