Evening star., 1940-03-23

out so early In the morning?"
more wistful than gay Beneath
her gentle manner was an unfalter-
Ing determination which was ap-
parent on this morning when she
intended to ask John Reid for a
position. Not only ask.
She must not fail in this first
step toward the vindication of her
father.
Anna, who looked as if she had
not slept, hovered about her daugh-
ter. Neither of them discussed the
subject uppermost in both minds,
but Gail knew that her mother
would think of nothing else until
her return that evening.
She could feel the force of the
other woman's will urging her on
as she entered the JeWelry store
and stood for the first time within
the walls of the place which had
cost her fathers life. For a mo-
ment the surroundings so familiar
to him sickened her, then she lifted
her head. This was no time to
falter.
Heavy Brows.
A suSpicious-lo looking man with
heavy, beetling brows over near
sighted eyes inquired, Did you wish
something's"
Gail asked for MI. Reid. "Mr.
John Reid" she added.
rs it about a position?"
Gail said firmly, "Yes. I'm from
the agency"
She followed him to the Office at
the rear of the store. 1t was early
yet. so there were no customers.
Calls heart beat furiously as she
walked through the open door and
faced her fathers former employer.
So many years she had waited for
this moment. So many times re-
hearsed what she was to say.
Miss Dunbar tells me there will
be an opening next week for a
stenographer."
John Reid was dry, cynical
looking man of SIS. Tall, thin-fea-
tured, with an aquiline nose and
gray mustache over tightly buttoned
lips.
Gail could see no resemblance to
his son except in the Well-built
figure. His manner was abrupt as
he asked, You have references?"
Shows References.
Gail produced them. Determined
to be as non-committal as he was,
she did not speak as he looked over
them.
She stood there proudly silent
feeling his penetrating gaze sweep
over her. Perhaps the cold inten-
sity of her brown gaze disturbed
him or it might have been some
dim resemblance to her father
which he felt but could not place
She could sense his uncertainty as
he said, Meadows, eh? Did you
say your name was Meadows?"
"Yes, Mr.. Reid. Gail Meadows ,
She had lost. Gail knew it with
a sudden desperate perception. If
she left the store without the prom
Use of this position she would not
. get it. Yet she knew, too, that to
argue with this man would be fatal
to her plans.
His impatience would brook no
delay and he had dismissed her
but in the very moment of her
despair fate came to her rescue
Christopher Reid breezed into his
fathers. Office. At sight of her his
hazel eyes frightened.
why, Miss Meadows" he cried
"What are you doing out so early
In the morning?"
Gail smiled with an assurance
she was far from feeling.
I've just been asking your father
for a position" she admitted.
Mr.. Reid looked surprised.
You are acquainted with my
SOM" he demanded.
Il met him last night" Gail re-
piled, but Chris said easily, Miss
Meadows is a good friend of Bill
Morgan's, Dad"
The older mans manner changed
ICY Morgan's son? Well, why
didn't you say so in the first placer
II didn't know it would make
any difference" the girl confessed
Take Care.
well naturally. we have to be
exceptionally careful whom we hire
IN store like this" John Reid MUIR
INJURED. He paused and during the
interval Chris flashed her smile
which seemed to say, Yves together
In this"
i think I can say the position
Is yours, Miss Meadows" Mr.. Reid
conceded graciously. You may start
work next Monday.
She thanked him without effu-
sion and found herself on the street
WIN no idea of how she had gotten
there. Not until then did Gail