PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 12 (Supplement)

PAID IN FULL

= NEW SERIAL STORY =

H. S. Sarbert

"mimmimmiiiiiiiimimimmmiimiin CHAPTER I—(Continued) Dinner at the Hall “I’ll have to put in a good word for you,” he stated. “Carrie thinks you are wasted down here, Preston, and that your proper place is London. We shall have to see what we can do about it.” He cut short the boy’s stammered words of thanks. It would not cost Mr Lucas anything to put in a good word; he had many influential friends. Presently Harry and Carrie wandered off into the grounds. It was a beautiful moonlit night, and Carrie was looking very attractive, very beautiful. There was a strange throbbing in Harry’s heart. “I’d like to see you get on, Harry —I would really,” Carrie declared. “I believe you’re a natural genius, and if I could be the means of bringing you out —why, that would be a feather in my cap, wouldn’t it? But would that stern father of yours like the idea?” “I’m not sure,” Harry answered; “but I’m quite sure Dad would never stand in the way of my progress. If I told him ” Carrie laid a hand on his arm. “You mustn’t do that,” she cried. “You mustn’t tell your father anything at all —not just yet. It might spoil everything, because he doesn’t like me.” “Bat he would, Carrie—once he got to know you. He’s such a fine man—the best pal anyone could have. He’s done everything for ; me!” “But, all the same, you mustn’t tell him anything about this. 1 I have my reason for asking,” Carrie | added. “Will you do me that favI our?” ! Harry caught her hand in his i own. j “I would do anything in the worlc I for you!” he whispered. I There was adoration in his eyes J but he did not say more just then | He felt that he dare not. i On Monday of the following weel j David Preston, having been to i i neighbouring town about an order

| was taking a short cut from the j station across the fields, when he j came face to face with Carrie Lucas. She had been out for a stroll, and ' had paused to perch herself on the ; j stile for a rest. As David came to : it, they were face to face. She j I smiled—that easy, insolent smile. “Good afternoon, Mr Preston!” j she greeted. “I haven’t received j your apology yet!” j “Apology?” j “Yes. of course—for the rude way ; j you spoke to me outside your shop.” David looked grim. I “I have nothing to apologise for, I miss.” he said. “I meant every word I said to you.” I “Your son doesn’t agree with you ; on that point. He’s on my side!” | “I wish wou’d leave my son alone,” David said slowly. “You’re not his i S sort, miss, if you don’t mind my 1 saying so. You’re of a different | world, and you don’t really care anyI thing about him. My boy means a ! lot, to me—everything—and there’s j a good, sweet girl here who cares ! for him, ay, and whom he cares for | —or did—until you came. You’ll ; ; be going back to London very soon, i j I’ve no doubt. Just leave Harry out of your plans, will you?” He looked rather handsome as he stood there. He spoke with a manly dignity, and having finished he raised his hat to her and went striding away. But the girl’s eyes, ! as they followed him. held a slumbering anger. “We’ll see.” she murmured. For she knew her own power; she had seen the look in Harry’s eyes ; when he had been near her. The l j time was not ripe yet—but it would I not be long. j She v/aited for six weeks. Then j came an evening when there was a : special concert in connection with j the church, and Harry, in the ordinary way, should have called for Viola to lake her. When he did not turn up Viola walked over to the i grocer’s shop, which was closed. ■ -However, Viola had permission to l use the private door; but she was • not prepared for what met her gaze in the sitting-room. David Preston was sitting in the armchair; his head was bowed, and in one hand, ' : ! hanging limply by his side, there ■ was a letter. Viola went forward quickly, lay--3 ing a hand on his shoulder. “Mr Preston, what is it?” she 1 whispered. “What has happened?” I The man rose slowly to his feet. . 1 She saw then that his face was • ! drawn and haggard. I “He’s gone!” he whispered, c I “Harry’s gone! He’s gone off to Loni ! don, to take a job there, and never a word beforehand to me, Viola, my m dear. Not a word to his father—his

pal! Just gone!” “Oh!” It was a quick and gasping cry. ‘“An enemy hath done this,’ ” David quoted. “And I think we i know who the enemy is! It’s that j girl—that Carrie Lucas. She’s be- | witched him! Ay, that’s how I feel I about it. I warned her to leave my ; boy alone, and she looked at me with those hard eyes of hers, and her lips curved in a sneer. She didn’t say a word, but I know well enough what was in her heart. I know— I know!” He left Viola and began to pace the room.

“We were pals!” he went on. “I’ve never tried to dictate to him. I’ve never sought to be a tyrant to him. And it isn’t him—it isn’t my own lad who has acted this way. Harry never would have done it. A square deal to each other —that was always our motto—our pledge! But she’s not going to get away with it, Viola, my dear—not if I know it. I’ve given my best years to him, and I feel that it’s his very soul that’s at stake. Ay —his very soul!” David’s strong voice was broken with emotion. “And that’s why I can’t let it go like this. That’s why I’m going after him—and J shall bring him back!” (To Be Continued)