The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-20
Reputation

CONTINUED From Page Ten)

II seemed shameful TO admit II
but II was true. Oh, If only she
could give up this fruitless search
for evidence and be just the
friendly, busy little stenographer
she seemed.
On the way downtown she de-
cided to take Bill's advice to the
extent of declaring a truce until
after the holidays. The Christmas
season was supposed to be one Of
peace and good will even TO those
who might have wronged you.
For two weeks she was going to
refrain from watching Helen Stiles.
was not going to try to read the
hidden meanings back Of Hazefs
silly talk and Chris ?
Well, no doubt she had discour-
aged him until he would make no
further effort, but If he did she
would be friendly and sweet.
The sight of him coming straight
to her desk sent the blood pound
ing into her pale cheeks. Her eyes
welcomed him with all the words
she would not allow herself to say.
1T was nice seeing you last
night" Chris said simply.
Yes" she murmured, wasn't
it ?"
Her dazed gaze did not notice
that he had left slip of paper on
her desk until after he had gone.
Then she saw it lying there, Just
an innocently folded office memo.
But on it he had written, Il shall
be waiting for you tonight"
That was all. No question
about it. No possible chance for
her to refuse. And knowing this
all the bells of the holiday season
suddenly began to peal in Calls
heart. Peace on earth, good will
to men! I shall be waiting for
you Chris will oe waiting for me-"
In spite of everything she had said
they would have one more ride
through the early December dusk.
At four, as if setting the stage
for the scene to be played a couple
of hours later, great snow flakes
began to fall, muffling The noise
of the traffic thudding with gentle,
stubborn insistence against the
office window panes. By ST. o'clock
the sidewalks were covered.
The brim of Christopher's hat
was decorated with a band of
white stars which he laughingly
shook off as he greeted her.
Looks like wet evening he
cried.
The words were commonplace
but the hand he placed beneath
her elbow was trembling. The Gag
erness in his voice was not to be
concealed. In his car with the
heater turned on and the doors
closed they seemed to be shut into
a small secure world of their own.
"Ah, Gail" he said taking her
hand, Il was so afraid you
wouldn't see me.
II wouldn't have asked you but
you looked so desperately unhappy
at the hockey game last night"
II wanted to see you," she ad-
mitted over the lump which l,se
into her throat. I've missed you,
Chris"
But, darling" Chris said start
ing the car. "All you had to do
was say so. How was / to know
how you felt?"
Beneath the warm wooden robe
her gloved hands clasped each
other nervously.
Things haven't changed any.
The situation is just as hopeless
as it ever was"
You mean your mother still
doesn't approve of me ?" he asked.
She nodded but the effort to saw
no more than that made the tears
well into her eyes.
Il can't understand, he con-
tinued frowning, what she has
against me. Oh, know I've never
taken life very seriously. but that's
all different now, Gail, since I've
known you"
That isn't it," she said.
What is it, then? Why all the
mystery? I've been very patient"
he reminded her.
You've been sweet" she
told him recklessly. "Oh, Chris,
let's not spoil the little time ,e
have by arguing. Let's just be
happy and pretend this will never
end. The snow and the lights shin
ing on the wet streets and that
strange hush over everything. 1t
will be a memory Wen never for
get"
He looked at her uncertainty,
trying desperately to read her
mind, then he said quietly. "An
right. Sweet! Shall we drive some
place for dinner
She was tempted more than he
could guess, but remembering her
mothers anxiety that morning she
shook her head.
No" she sighed. Take me
home. But tell me everything
you've been doing and thinking.
Just seeing each other as we do in
the store l know nothing about
you, really"