“SWEET FOR A SEASON”

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 1, 2 January 1940, Page 5

“SWEET FOR A SEASON”

(By JOSEPH McCORD)

Instalment 14.

Synopsis of Preceding Instalments: Glada Lee worries her mother because she dropped her university course after two years, went to the State Agricultural College and now is more interested in her succcssfuJ chicken farm than her matrimonial prospects. Her father, Ed Lee, a lawyer, is Dale City's leading citizen. Her older brothers, Bailey and Trevor, are married; Masters, the youngest, is engaged to Evelyn Barclay, aud motherly Mary Leo feels that Glada is wasting her time. Mrs. Lee invites their good-looking young pastor, the Rev. Lynn Stirling, to dinner. 'When she suggests later that Stirling would make a good husband Glada says she isn't thinking of marriage. The next day the minister appears at the girl's chicken farm and tells her that he loves her. Astounded, she is abrupt in her maimer, but softens it because of his obvious sincerity. As he goes, he says, “Some day —I intend to marry you." When he next visits tho Lcos he asks Glada to bo his friend. Cobb Poters, her farm manager, breaks his leg and she gives Gern Jones, a down-and-outer, a job. He gives evidence of culture but has a puzzling manner. Tes Sidbury, heavy with make-up, goes to the farm and tells Glada that. Masters has jilted her for "the Barclay blonde." She can't face this, she says, must go away and will need 1,000 dollars. When Glada says she hasn’t got that much money, Tess threatens to go to the Barclays. Mas- . ters tells Glada ho met the girl at a party, there was much drinking and he is hazy about what happened. They agreo that it she makes her claim public the damage is done. Noting that Glada looks worried, Stirling follows her and finally she confides in him. He volunteers to see Tess and phones Glada his mission was successful. The following morning, it was necessary for Nora to second the efforts of the alarm clock to rouse Glada Lee for the day. For hours the girl had lain awake fighting to avert an almost hysterical reaction to Stirling’s phono call. Until now, she had not realised what a toll tho past few days had been exacting. Now that the pressure was relieved, the •esulting conflict of emotions was little short of devastating, confusing. It all must be true or Mr. Stirling would not have spoken in such a fashion, and he had been exceedingly thoughtful in his way of giving her his information. Heartfelt gratitude outweighed every other sensation, but it was tinged with a growing uneasiness. Her parents, also Evelyn and her parents, were more deeply in the minister's debt than she herself—and they never would know it. blaster's own gratitude would ho as profound as Glada's, but it would be directed to her. Masters must never know the truth. She would refuse to divulge any details, let him surmised whatever he liked. Once he was assured that Glada had not placed herself under financial obligation to help him, he would be glad enough to forget the sorry affair. But that in no way relieved her own situation and there was something distinctly ironical about that. Everything considered, there was no one to whom she was less willing to be obligated than Mr. Stirling. But she was. And how! With a debt she never would be able to repay. Mr. Stirling couldn't help but realise that and, of course, it was why he had stressed tho fact that he would have done as much for any friend, that was what he said. But would he? First of all, she would have to find out what had happened and thank him as best she might. That presented some difficulties, too. It meant a personal interview and she shrank from suggesting that he come out to the farm. For several reasons. It obviously was out of the question to invite him to the house And, if she called on him, that meant fresh complications. She was still pondering ways and means when she fell into a troubled sleep. While dressing the' next morning she evolved a solution of sorts. It was to invent an excuse for lingering at home for some time after breakfast, then driving to the parsonage and asking if she might speak to Mr. Stirling at the door. If she went in, her roadster would sure to be recognised and commented upon. But if she were to remain on the porch in full view, her call might be translated as a business errand. Mrs. Ward, the minister's housekeeper, was inclined to be talkative, but Glada would hope for the best. To her great relief, when the dreaded moment came, it w r as Stirling himself who answered his door-bell. He greeted the early caller with due formality. "Good morning, Miss Lee. Won’t you come in?" "Why, thank you, no. I have but a moment. . . .if I may talk to you here?" "Surely," he responded promptly. And came out on the porch. His manner was grave enough, but there was a suggestion of amusement in his blue eyes that made Glada furious with herself. Of course he saw through her design. And it was a dumb thing to say. . . .that she had only a moment to talk to him. After all he had done, the trouble he had taken. Stirling came to her aid, however, with his usual poise. He was even careful to lower his voice so that it might not carry indoors. "I located that party, Miss Glada, without any great difficulty. My visit took her quite by surprise and I think rather frightened her. I hope it did. I gave her something to think about and, by the time I had outlined the situation, she was willing to listen to reason and to. . . .to drop it all. I think jou can rely on her going away from Kedron, if she has not already. I am convinced that she will not attempt to make any more trouble." "Did she. . . .did ahe find out who you were?" Glada asked hastily. "I managed to keep from, enlightening her," Stirling smiled. "She jump-

ed to the conclusion that I was acting in. a legal capacity and I did not disillusion her. She resented it at first. That strengthened my impression that that her charge is trumped up. At all events, I suggest you set your mind at rest and try to forget it all." "I can never forget your kindness, Mr. Stirling. And I don't know how I can ever hope to repay it. I can only ■thank you sincerely for myself amd all the others, even if they don't know about it." "I thought that was all settled," Stirling answered quickly. "Please consider it so. It is over and done with. I am only very happy that I could be of any service." There was something almost formal in the way he said it, as if he, too, were anxious to dismiss the whole affair. "I still thank you most sincerely," Glada repeated. There seemed to be nothing else to say end she left with a murmured excuse. She realised that she should be feeling highly elated, but was conscious only of a bitter aftertaste. It would help somewhat to relay the good word to Masters and she must do it at once. There was just a chance that he might do something to complicate matters even now, in spite of his promise. Ho would want to know first of all whether she had purchased his freedom. She could truthfully say that she had not, then refuse further information. It made her wonder, now, if that Sidbury woman had surrendered without any attempt at bargaining. There were several things she wished she had asked the minister. Perhaps, however, it was better not to know. It would make it simpler when it came to a point-blank refusal to divulge the details to Masters. As soon as she reached the office at tho farm, she put in a call for him and had him on the line almost at once. Tho sharp worry in his voice was evident. lf l just called you up to let you know that matter has been settled," Glada said crisply. Then, unconsciously quoting Stirling: "You can set your mind at rest. I can't discuss it, but I knew you would want to hear from me." She heard him give a little gasp of relief. "Thanks, Glada, that's swell of you. Say! You didn't •.ry to. . . "No," she interrupted quickly. "It wasn't necessary. Forget it." "Just until I see you. I'll make it a point to very soon and talk it over." "I'd rather you didn't. Good-bye and good luck." She broke the connection before he had a chance to say more. That was done. Glada drew a long breath and lighted a cigarette to steady her frayed nerves. Her little office suddenly took on the aspect of a hp.ven. How good it was to be going again! To devote herself to the job without that appalling cloud of misery hanging over her. And for a time, as she plunged feverishly into her desk work, the reaction furnished the desired relief. Then her skies began to darken once more. There was a haunting misgiving that she had put herself at a disadvantage during her interview with Mr. Stirling, although she still didn't see how she could have managed otherwise. It really wasn't too much to say that he had saved the lives of two families, and she had merely stopped at his door to leave a "much obliged." It seemed to her that she must have been incoherent, even mumbled her words. Would he be thinking that she was afraid of him? Afraid tliat be might try to follow up this advantage? It didn't seem that he would. And yet, who could blame him if he expected her to display a certain amount of gratitude? Particularly when none of the others could. She felt an increasing resentment that she, alone of all the group involved, had to shoulder the burden of thanks to Lynn Stirling. It was a sorry trick that Fate had played upon her. On the other hand, what could she have done had she not confided her troubles to the minister and accepted his ready offer of help, Her innate fairness told her that the worst would have happened now and the happiness of a half-dozen people been wrecked. One thing was certain: she would have to be more gracious in her attitudo toward Mr. Stirling, not only in his presence but in the presenco of others. To escape her tangled thoughts, she finally abandoned her office and went to the kitchen for a talk with Cobb. After a discussion of matters in general, she was about to leave when her manager halted her with one of his characteristically terse remarks. "Don’t want to be buttin’ in, Miss Glada, but I got an idea." "What is that?" she inquired pleasantly. "Jones. Been wishin’ you could see your way clear to keepin ' him on 'stead of Jim, so long’s wo need anybody." "You mean he is the better of the two?" "Any amount. 'Nother thing, Jim don't need the job. His old man told me he'd be glad to have him at home, if you could get on without him." "I see," Glada mused, as if the idea were new to her. "Perhaps Gern does need the pay, such as it is," she said, wondering if her new helper might have confided to some extent in Cobb and Irma. "Figure he does," was Cobb's only concession. "I’ll think it over," Glada promised and started in the direction of the plant. The idea of talking to Gern did not serve to ease restlessness to-day. She scarcely had spoken to him since their trip to Kendall to meet Masters, but sho fancied he had exhibited signs of something like constraint the few times he was in her presence. And it was totally unlike him. "Nerves!" she remarked scornfully to herself, kicking a pebble out of the path with her toe. She certainly was not interested in any conclusion he might have been pleased to draw from that ride and would have no compunction in letting him know it, if the occasion demanded. Enough in

life to worry over without wasting time on the sensibilities of hired men. Yet Cobb's suggestion was a good oue and it fitted in with her own desires. A few moments later she encountered the object of hex thoughts conriug from the pump house, carrying a bunch of waste and an oil can and wearing a greasy smudge across his forehead. "Hello," Glada greeted him lightly. "Don't tell me tho pump is misbehaving again." "Hello. No, it's oke. Just oiling her up a little," and he would have passed on. "I was looking for you," his employer remarked hurriedly. "I wanted to tell you that Oobb and I have been discussing you." ‘ ‘ Yeah? " "Why, yes. Cobb tells me that Jim's father would like to have him back aud suggested that wo keep you on. Let Jim go. Does that appeal to you?" "Not if it means doing the kid out of a job. He was here first."

"You need not worry about that. Jim understands that his slays here are temporary. If you care to remain ..." "What do you think?" Glada's answering thought was to the effect that expression generally conveyed a hint of enthusiasm. It had sounded decidedlj' flat us Gern employed it. "We'll try it that way," she answered briefly. "And I think we can make it a little more attractive. Your work has been very satisfactory." "Thanks. Are you talking about a raise by auy chance?" "Why not? You’ll be doing double duPy in a way." "Double duty . . ."he echoed, staring at her iu a blank fashion. "Oh, 6ure. Of course. Didn’t get what you meant at first. As long as I’m getting by, let it go at that. I don’t want a raise." It was said almost gruffly. I "You don’t want one!" t "That’s what I said. And if it suits me, it ought to suit . . . everybody." (To be continued.)

Disappointed Youth There is one very disappointed youth in WhAngara. Although only 17 years of age, he enlisted, giving his age as -1 years, and was all ready to be called up with the second echelon. I'nlortunateJy for the youth, his parents had other views, and a visit to the recruiting j othce by the father, who produced the J lad’s birth certificate, ended the boy ’t j visions of a military life, for a year or < two, at least. Eighteen mouth War? A prophecy that the war would not last longer than lb months was made by the .Mayor of Taihupe (Air. L. 13. 11. de Lautour), when speaking at a Fire brigade function last week. Mr. de Lautour said that some people predicted a long war, while others thought that the struggle would be over soon. Per* sonally, he thought that the war would not last longer than lb months, as the whole thing was so extreme, but all predictions were a matter of guesswork. War Sees Changes A marked difference between the a tiny in the last war and m this war was mentioned by Mr. E. D. Mcßae, when speaking at the farewell and presentation in Timaru to LieutenantColonel L. M. Inglis, officer commanding the Machine Gun battalion in the .New Zealand Special Force, in the old days the officer iu command of a battalion had a horse, whereas to-day he rode in % car, Mr. Alcßao said. That gave him greater comfort, and iu reference to the guest of honour it was considerably safer, although he had never actually seen him fall off. When replying to the speeches, Lieutenant-Colonel inglis said mat in reference to the horse business the change had cue disadvantage, lie used to be able to sit up ou the horse (he had a quiet animal), but now, unless he stood ou his car, he could not sec what was going on. Old War Horses At least two aged war horses need never worry about an untimely death because they have outlived their usefulness. Jeff and Kidron, mounts which General John J. Pershing rode in victory parades down the Champs Fly sees in Paris and New York City, are now romping and frisking over the grass lands of the Army Remount depot near Front Royal, Virginia. Their only care is “being on their dignity” when company comes. No visit to the depot is complete without a glimpse of the two horses which Colonel Warren W. Whitside, commander of the depot, says are the 44 most photographed horses in the country.' * Kidron is a chestnut French thoroughbred, which was given to General Pershing and which he rode down the Champs Elysees. The Jefferson Feigl Post of the American Legion in New York City presented Jeff to General Pershing. Jeff is a bay standard with a fine jumping record.