Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-06-26
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CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

AMI ~ Ill CNeShlIlS Oul VI IL,
Mr.. Merrifield," Bill Bailey was
saying, deep emotion in his voice.
Il discovered weeks ago that
couldn't go on, trying to help some
body else make love 20 GAYLE.
Lordy, Mr.. Merrificld, fell in love
with her myself the moment l first
entered this ROOM"
The old gentleman had sat down,
gaping at the youths, confused.
Bill stood near his desk with one
arm around Gayle, and jeremy was
close by. Gayle leaned forward and
spoke then, almost pleading.
'I-We-cntcred that arrange
ment impusively, Mr.. Merrifield."
She tucked in her lower lip a mo-
ment to control herself I'VE did.
Bill has loved me all along-I
knew it! knew that 1 loved him.
But We've needed jobs. And we
wanted to help Jeremy, honestly
we did. We came to like him more
and more, and all the while our
friendship mixed up our plans
and"
II say-see herc-r Jeremy
tried to get in, but Bill took the
floor again.
II thought we'd work for a while
and try to make the plays show
a profit, Mr.. Mortified, so that you
wouldn't have to lose a dime of
money on us, then"
Jeremy forced in then. See here,
I know about the $4,000 grand
father offered you! I overheard him
telling his friends tonight. At first
I was angry, but I realized that
he did it to help me. And IL
needed-needed what You brought
to me, Bill, you and Gayle. You
have-well-" An embarrassment
halted him now.
then we would step out of the
picture entirely, Mr.. Merrifield,"
Bill resumed his own speech. awe
would have done that after tc.
night. I mean, I had made up my
mind to ask Gayle to Lave With
me, toto marry me. lid"
"Oh, Billw
and I do not want t',c money,
not a cent of it, sir! We haven't
earned it, anyway. 1 suppose 1 have
been unfair to Gayle, but I couldn't
know in advance about falling in
love myself. I can't control lee.
Nobody can! Love and happin IS
can't be ordered c. o. D. like 4 -
like a car Of mining machine. i,
Mr.. Merrifieldw
Gayle was nodding, nodding en-
phatic agreement with her Bill,
now.
The old gentleman had inhaled
slowly, prodigiously. He leaned
back in his comfortable chair and
studied them a long moment.
quietly, calming them by his very
manner.
Jeremy spoke next, and he had
visibly relaxed, too.
Grandfather offered you $4,000
each," he said very slowly, gazing
at the fire. THAT was TOTO help
me-" His voice was a bare muir
muir now. II do not know how you
feel now, grandfather, about that.
I-Well, 1 proposed to Gayle be-
cause I knew you wanted me to.
Knew you hao-planned it. Planned
happiness. Ordered it. Connivad for
it, for us all!'
He had to pause men from sheer
emotion.
GAS for the $4,000" he finally
resumed, "why, II have a great
deal of money mysc.f. And grand
father-their pay has been-
earnedw
He ended in a dramatic whisper.
And he might have said more, or
surely all of them would have
talked longer, but for a soft, dis
Greet tapping at the study door.
All their eyes turned toward it in
voluntarily and the old man spoke.
Come"
The door opened ever so gently
and Lola Montcsa's lovely face
showed. 1t had, however, a distinct
look Of worry.
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly. II
have COON, looking. Thee play
we could not find you, Beel. And
Gayle and ference. Iss anytheeng
-Wrong?"
She was shy, eXquisitely beau
tiful person in a crimson evening
gown. Across the square cut-neck
of it We're white gardenias in a
dainty row-gift from MIR. Mcrri-
field himself. (His foolish order TO