The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-11
Reputation

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Continued From Page Ten)
fathers whom you marry 2"
1T must be" she said puzzled.
How do you know that letter
wasn't written by your own
mother >"
Calls eyes flashed.
"Or your father I'll admit I
thought of that But I couldn't
believe he would stoop to anything
50 low" she said.
I'm sorry." Chris apologized.
Little as I've had the opportunity
of knowing your mother can't
really think she'd do it." He added.
But look here, Gail. how about
her sister, Aunt Belle ?"
Angry as she was, Gail had to
laugh.
"You don't know my aunt. She
is the epitome of breeding and
background. Prunes, propriety and
prisms have been the motto of her
life. Your father is inclined to
think as you do that there Is no
connection between the loss OF my
ring and this note.
I'VE haven't even told the police
about it as l should like to keep
the fact that am Gail Trenton out
of the papers until we learn the
truth. But think everything that
has happened has been the work Of
the same person.
Il DON'T" disagreed Chris. And
If you aren't going to marry me
just because of a silly anonymous
letter you aren't the girl
thought"
His refusal to accept her decision
kept Gail from enjoying the eve
ming although his father attempted
to make up for it by showing with
a tenderness which touched her,
photographs of his dead wife. He
kept them in a cabinet which was
ordinarily locked and while it was
open Christopher amused himself
by going through those of him.
self.
Here's one you'll like, he joked,
forgetting his annoyance for the
moment. 1T was one of my
mothers favorites but I was so
ashamed of it I persuaded Dad to
hide it in here"
1t was of a round eyed child
with a lace collar on his little vel
vet suit. His expression was one
of angel-eyed innocence.
"Oh. Chris, that's darling ?" Gail
cried. How could any little boy
be such a cherub?"
II wasn't" he admitted. 81 had
just gotten through tying the tails
of the photographers two cats to-
gether. There was going to be
plenty of action in about minute
and 1 knew it. That's why l looked
so angelic"
Gail took the picture and studied
it.
Il don't believe a word of it,"
she said stoutly. mo little boy
who looked like that could heve
done such a thing"
He did it all right" his father
said dryly. He was also sent to
bed without any supper. That was
the night 1 caught his mother
stealing into the nursery with a
tray and pretended not to see her."
This was the key to their entire
relationship. Gail thought: If his
mother had lived everything be-
tween them would have been diff
ferent. All, but they needed a
woman to interpret them to each
other. Just as the house needed the
grace of loving feminine hand.
But she couldn't do this for them
yet. There was a debt she owed
her own parents which must be
paid first. If Chris would only try
to understand how grateful she
would be.
Later as they were listening to
some of John Reds favorite rec
ords he was called to the telephone.
Gail took the opportunity of drop
ping a kiss upon Christopher's I'M
responsive lips.
Darling. I love you" she whis-
pered. please believe me. Every
thing is going to be all right"
Chris cried, Listen. That must
be the police. They've found your
ring" He added, IF they have,
promise you'll put ii on your finger
and not take it off until after we
are married"
Il promise" she cried excitedly.
IT'S true, Chris, l can tell they've
found it by the way he's talking.
Oh, darling, do you suppose that
means they've found the blond
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