PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 3

PAID IN FULL

§ NEW SERIAL STORY =

H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER I—(Continued) Viola and Harry walked home together, talking of general things at first. When they came to a dark part of the lane, or a piece of rough road, Harry put his arm round the girl’s slim form to help her, and he lifted her over the stile, as he had always done. All of which gave Viola the same thrills as in the past. But he had to tell her that he would not be able to come over and keep the appointment that he had provisionally made for the following Wednesday, because he was going up to the Hall, having been invited there for dinner. “Jt’s something that I shouldn’t miss, Viola,” he added, “because the people there may be of help to me in the future—with my work, I mean. You won’t mind, will you?” Viola shook her curly head. “Why, of course not, Harry!” she answered. “Your work is of the utmost importance. I—l’m only too glad that you’re getting these opportunities that will mean so much to you.” Perhaps Harry’s heart misgave him a little then; perhaps he experienced a twinge of conscience. He had told Viola the truth up to a point, but he had not mentioned Carrie Lucas to her. And Viola was always so innocent and trusting; she always believed in him so implicitly. Harry saw Viola to the door of John Winn’s store, but he refused her invitation to go in and have a cup of cocoa. He said that there were several things he had to do before he got to bed. “I’ll call round for you on Sunday though, Viola,he said. He bent and kissed her. Just the kind of kiss they had become used to giving each other at parting. Harry seemed in a hurry to be away this evening. Somehow, it gave her a chilling feeling. It was almost as if she had done something that Harry did not like! When Mr Winn heard that Harry had cancelled his appointment with Viola in order to go to the Hall on the following Wednesday, he gave a grunt. “So it’s true, then?” he said. “Rumour is to be depended upon sometimes, it appears!” What do you mean grandfather?” “There’s a girl stopping at Greenclose Hall,” he stated. “A very smart and lovely young lady she is, so they do say. She’s on a visit from London. Miss Lucas—that’s her name, and she’s been seen talking to Harry.” “Weil, there’s nothing in that, is there?” Viola said. “Surely folk can talk to each other, granddad.’’ The old man got up out of his chair. “All right—all right!” , he exclaimed. “So that’s the way you look at it—but I shouldn’t be so satisfied myself! I would have been better for that boy if he’d followed in his father’s business —if he’d kept the firm of Preston and Son going. That’s what he should have done, instead of getting ideas above his station! You’re fond of him, my lass, I know that. You’ve given him your love. Be careful that he doesn’t break your heart one day!” The colour came into Viola’s cheeks, but she faced her grandfather squarely. “I’ve no right to dictate to Harry —whatever he may do,” she said. “He’s his own master, and I—l have no complaint to make against him!” With that she went upstairs to her room, but not to sleep. Her pillow was soon wet with tears. I£ this were true! If any other girl had come into Harry’s life, then indeed her heart would break—for she loved him so!

John Winn never passed the shop of his business competitor, for though they were rivals in business, a friendship had existed between the two men for quite a number of years. A friendship that had been all the greater because of the tacit understanding that one day the two families would be joined. Mr Winn had the reputation of being hard, but he»was deeply fond of his granddaughter, and all that he owned would be Viola’s one day.

There were no customers in the shop as he looked in on this occasion. There was good reason for this, for

it was dinner-time. Nevertheless old John would have his little joke. “Not so busy, eh, David?” he greeted. “Well, well—l always declared that you were the wrong end of the town!” David Preston, busy at the other end of the counter weighing out butter, smiled. “That’s why you’ve offered to buy the place several times, eh, Mr Winn?” . The old man v/agged a finger. “The offer’s still open,” he stated. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll give you five hundred pounds for the business, stock, and goodwill, and that’s a fair offer—even generous! That ‘Preston and Son’ over the door means nothing to you. You’ve spent all your spare capital on that son of yours, and he’ll think himself too much of a gentleman to be a grocer. Goes up to the Hall, I’ve heard, and’s got friendly with the smart young lady from London. For her he’s putting off engagements with Viola. I’ve warned the lass. I’ve told her not to think too much of your Harry, for he’s not what he was—not by a long shot! Perhaps he’s not worth thinking about.” This remark troubled David Preston a lot, but he was not going to to hear a word against his son. “Harry’s all right,” he said. “He’s one of the best. I don’t want to hear a word said against my lad. And as for the other—well, thank you just the same, Mr Winn—but I decline!”

Mr Winn grunted something under his breath and walked out of the shop. Harry Preston thought it a great honour to be invited to dinner at the Hall. It was Carrie Lucas who had arranged the invitation, of course. The handsome young man had attracted her very much. She honestly believed, too, that he had talent, and when Mr Lucas saw some of the drawings that Harry Preston brought with him, he was inclined to agree on the point. (To Be Continued)