Evening star., 1941-01-30


Mr.. Danforth rose slowly from
than his years. He came round to
Verity's chair and rested his hand
on her shoulder.
You must forgive an old man. I
have no right to fling the temptation
of money at you in this way. If I
could only give you some of my
experience as easily as I can give
you my money you would know that
all the money in the world is no
cure for a bruised heart. That is
why I offer you so much. I have
plenty of money. but I can buy no
cure for the wound I gave my own
heart by thinking I could treat a
high-spirited son as though he
were just another part of vast
business that had to adapt itself to
my stubborn will"
He went to a file and unlocked
a drawer and drew out some papers.
He turned back to Verify with a
wry smile.
1T is very hard for successful
business man who can make or
break men to admit that age might
fight youth, but in the end youth
always wins. They say that age
brings wisdom. Sometimes I think
it only brings foolishness and that
some Of the foolish things youth
does have In them the deep wisdom
of life"
Verify rose to her feet.
''Mr. Danforth, this is ." she
smiled at him, "all very sudden"
At those words he broke into
laughter.
Questions Need for Time.
my dear girl, those are the very
words my wife used 35 years ago
when : asked her to marry me. I
made up my mind very suddenly,
just the same as I have done today.
Id never spoken to her before. Odd
how history repeats itself. But I
didn't give her any time to think
it over and refuse
Verify laughed. Il hope you are
going to give me time to think 1t
over"
"Why should 70" said Mr.. DAN
forth with a sudden lifting of the
eyebrows. why should I? Any one
who is worth his salt should be able
to make up his mind on the spot.
Believe me. and I know, the people
who need to think things over only
need to do so because they haven't
enough brains to do it on the spot"
Verify laughed.
Nov you are embarrassing me"
Nonsense. I am an excellent
Judge of people and I can see you
are thrilled and excited, but in COM
plete possession of all your facul-
ties. In fact, I shouldn't be sur
prised If you made up your mind
already"
Verify found she liked his brusoue
manner. She had lost all her ner-
vousness. But she instinctively
knew also that he relished con-
'fict of personalities. He was the
kind of man who would despise any
one who gave in too easily.
eyes" she admitted, Il have made
up my mind. You offer me more
money than have ever dreamed of,
you offer me an intriguing job"
John Danforth's shrewd eyes
smiled at her as he waited for her
to finish what she had to say.
Il will accept the job if, after re-
ceiving full explanation of all the
circumstances leading up to and
surrounding your offer, I still feeel
there is no catch in it and if I am
allowed completely free hand"
HIN" said Mr.. Danforth. do you
suspect my motives?"
mo. I suspect your good sense"
Comment Pleases Danforth.
The words had slipped from her
mouth almost before she knew it.
She hadn't meant to speak quite
so bluntly. But after all the whole
business was so improbable that he
might conceivably be suddenly los
ing his mental balance.
But he chuckled.
Capital, capital! That was a
good one"
Then he turned to her, taking
from folder an old photograph. He
threw it down on the desk before
her and she picked it up. 1t was the
photograph of young undergrad
uate. There was nothing distinctive
about any of the photographs.
Others followed them, but after the
last one, the photograph of a young
man with group of college friends
they ended, They meant nothing to
Verify. College boys are all so alike
when they are in a crowd and there
seemed nothing to distinguish one
from another.
Not much to go on, eh?" said
Mr.. Danforth. I'll tell you what
I'll do. Do you know Simonelli's?"
Verify nodded. Il know it from the
outside"
Let's get this business settled to-
night. Give me the pleasure of din
ing with me at Simonelli's and I will