Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-03-21
CHAPTER Is

and what about Octavia?" parried
Sonny, not at all enthusiastic over
this school idea.
"WeIl get her another job, and as
for the apartment, we'll lock it up un-
til vacation time. Then some day
you can do it over"
But l don't want to go to school.
cts Janice's idea, to get rid of mel"
Kirk turned scarlet. Don't be
ridiculous!"
"She hates me! She doesn't want
me around!"
What difference does Janice make
in this?"
you're my guardian and you're
going to marry her!"
Don't worry about that until it
happens. It won't be for a long
time," he said casually.
Sonny frightened.
"She thought of it, just the same!"
she persisted.
you're behaving like a spoiled
child. I've had it in mind from the
first" Kirk stood up: "I'm going
now. Think over what l said. 1t
means a lot to me but l want you to
be contented."
"Then let me stay here, near YOU"
"I'll come up to school to see you.
I swear it. Christmas vacation we'll
celebrate here in New York. A grand
party"
She walked to the door with him.
He put both hands on her shoulders.
II want such fine things for you. Tom
did, too. That's why he went to all
the trouble to see you would have
plenty of money. I see in you what
he saw-the makings of a lovely wo-
man. We must not disappoint him."
"No.n Sonny's lips were white.
he bent and kissed her quickly. AS
he opened the door, he added: "Carol
wants you to meet her at the Plaza
for tea at five. Until tomorrow,
then"
Sonny stood where he left her, her
ringer tips touching her lips where
his kiss had been.
Kirk, sitting at his desk one bleak
December morning, tried to be cas-
ual as he took the letter his secretary
handed him. These weekly letters
from Marlboro had become more and
more important in his life. That was
because, he told himself, it was fas-
cinating to see Sonny change, grow
up. A lovely child. The experiment
had worked better than he dreamed.
He tried to be detached and adult
about her, but the memory of her
laughter spoiled his pose.
He ripped open the smart white
stationery. Last August it would
have been pale blue, he was sure. It
was typewriter because she wanted
to show him how she had improved:
Dear Kirk: This must be just a
note because I've a class next hour
but il is important. l hate always
to be asking you for more money, but
this is the situation.
You remember Alice Wells, the tall
blonde girl who has been so nice to
me? You met her when you were
here just before Thanksgiving. Her
father has failed in business and
Alice cannot come back next term.
She is senior and very brilliant.
The dean has promised her a teach
ing job if she graduates. talked
to Mrs. Metzger today, and we fig
ure it would cost about 5000 for next
term. Her expenses are paid until
February.
l thought if / didn't come in over
the holidays that would save maybe
5000. I'll take cut in my allow
ance. l can manage on $40 less a
month. That would make up more
than half of it. And if you could ad-
vance me the balance this summer
I'll pay it back from my allowance
Alice is to think the school is Civ
ing her scholarship and Mrs. Metz.
ger will arrange it. What do you
think?
I'll hate not seeing you, but maybe
you can come up after Christmas. L
is beautiful here now and I'm trying
to ski a little, have bumps on boil
shins. There's the bell. I'll write a
the end of the week.
All my love, Sonny"
Kirk put the letter down, got u
and went over to the window Their
was faint smile on his lips. He wa
totally unconscious of how much O
his waking time he spent thinking O
the red-haired girl up the Hudson.
That noon he had luncheon wit
Dial md Aold hin, .ho..4 la44a.