PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 10

PAID IN FULL

| NEW SERIAL STORV |

H. S. Sarbert

TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII e 111 uI m 111111111111111111 in CHAPTER IV (Continued) “I’ll be only too glad to arrange that, Miss Holden/' David told her. “Of course, Harry’s a youngster yet, only just turned his twenty-first birthday, as I’ve told you; but he’s designed the estate, and the company for whom he works seems very pleased with what he has done. Now, I’ve asked him to come along with me to your church on Sunday. That would be a good time to introduce you, and you could fix up an interview afterwards.” So it was arranged, and David took his departure, leaving brother and sister together. “That’s a fine sort of a chap, if I’m any judge of character,” James said. “If the son is like the father, we shan’t have much to worry about if we take one of his places. I can’t imagine David Preston not giving anyone a fair deal, can you, sis?” “No,” Hilda replied. She remained talking to her brother for a few minutes longer, and then went upstairs to her own room. Even there she found herself still thinking of the man who had come to her aid —the man who had spoken in a quiet, deep voice, but who possessed such great strength that even Packwood, one of the terrors of the neighbourhood, had been as a child in his hands. She certainly hoped she would see more of so fine a character. Doomed to Disappointment David Preston was doomed to disappointment on the following Sunday. Harry had half promised that he would go with his father to church, and his father had said he would call round for him. But Carrie was the first visitor to Harry’s rooms that morning. He had just finished his breakfast when he heard her car draw up outside, and a few moments later the landlady tapped on the door. “Miss Lucas has called, sir,” she announced. “I’ve asked her into the front sitting-room, and she wants you to be as quick as you can.” Harry jumped up. “I’ll come now,” he said. Carrie was looking very smart and beautiful in a close-fitting costume, and a beret set at a rakish angle on her head. Harry felt his heart give a great jump at sight of her. He went to her swiftly, took her in his arms, and kissed her. “Think I look nice?” Carrie asked, with a laugh. “More than nice, darling,” he returned. “You’re just wonderful! that’s the only word that describes you. And there’s something else that is still more wonderful. He kissed her again. “Just that you should have chosen me,” he whispered. “That you, who could have chosen wherever you liked, should have decided on me. That’s the most wonderful thing of all—and I love you, Carrie!” His voice thrilled as he spoke; his very soul was in his eyes. Carrie’s eyes softened as she looked back at him, for Harry was so handsome—and such a boy, too. “I love you, too,” she whispered. Then, drawing herself free, she told him why she had come. She had the day free, and the weather was glorious. It was a shame to stop in town on such, a day. They must motor down to Brighton. They could have lunch there, go for a spin along the coast—Worthing and Bognor, perhaps even as far as Portsmouth—and then return to London by another route. “Glorious idea, isn’t it?” she questioned. “Just the two of us together, eh, Harry?” Harry hesitated. It would be glorious to be out with her—there was no doubt whatever about that—but her plan was in the nature of a joy-ride, after all; and Harry, with all his “advanced” ideas, had not yet got into the way of joy-riding on the Sabbath. “Well, what’s the matter?” Carrie asked sharply. “I thought you’d simply jump at the idea—instead of which you don’t seem to be in the least keen—why?” “I’m sorry, Carrie, but I—l don't think I can manage it,” Harry replied stumblingly. “I promised Dad I’d go to church with him this morning.” , “Church!” Carrie repeated the word, and laughed—then pulled herself up as she caught the expression on his face. “Didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Harry,” she said, “but surely a day like this is meant to be spent out in the sunshine? We may have to wait a long time before we get such another day!” “But father is coming round for me, Carrie.”

Carrie glanced, at the watch on her wrist. If Harry waited until his father came, it might be more difficult to get him to change his arrangements. Carrie congratulated herself that she had triumphed over Mr Preston on several occasions, but she was not by any means sure of coming out first in a real clash of wills. “Leave a note for him, Harry,” she suggested. She came over to Harry’s side, and rested her head on his shoulder. “I can’t give you up even to your father today!” “You needn’t, Carrie, you could come with us!” Carrie pouted. “And I would,” she replied, “only I haven’t—l haven’t been feeling too well. I—l had a bad fainting attack last night, and—and the doctor had to be called to me.” This was a falsehood, but Carrie was the type of girl who never hesitated to tell a lie if it suited her purpose. And it did suit her purpose at the present moment. Harry believed her, of course, and he was full of the deepest concern. He put his arm around her, looking at her with the keenest anxiety. “Carrie—dearest! And you’ve only just mentioned it!” He spoke reproachfully. “You should have told me first of all. I had no idea you felt unwell, or ” “I’m not ill, darling—not actually ill,” she interrupted. “It’s just these dizzy turns I get sometimes. The doctor told me the best thing would be to get out in the sunshine, and that was my idea in coming along this morning. Daddy said I wasn’t to think of going by myself, and I told him not to worry, because I should have the best possible escort—meaning yourself, of course. I—l didn’t think you’d let me down.” She turned her head away, her voice breaking a little. “I won’t let you down, Carrie,” Harry said. “I ” “Then don’t—don’t!” the girl cried. “Oh, Harry, don’t always put your father up against me! It seems that every time I want you to do anything, your father is brought into it. You can't do this, and you can’t do that, because you have to think of, and put him before me. If—if only vou knew how it hurt me!” She was adopting the best attitude she possibly could. She was appealing to his love, and she had won 1 her way. (To be continued daily)