NEW SERIAL STORY PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21231, 30 September 1940, Page 3

NEW SERIAL STORY PAID IN FULL

by H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER IX.—(Continued.) “Oh. yes, you do! You can’t deceive me. You love him, my dear!” Hilda turned round then and faced her brother, and the tears were streaming down her cheeks, tears that she could not restrain. It was so unlike her, too. She did not very often give way to tears. Her life took her amongst so many tragedies. She saw so much sorrow. She was ever ready with sympathy and help, but she had got out of the way of crying, so she must have been deeply moved just now. “You’re so clever, aren’t you?” she whispered. “You see everything don’t you?” “Not everything,” James responded. “But I can see through you—and I ought to be able to! We’ve grown up together, and you've been of great help to me always. You can't deny it, Hilda. You love David Preston!”

“Y-es,” she said. “You’re quite right, I do love him. For the first time in my life, my dear. I’m really and truly in love. I wouldn't tell it to another soul. I thought it was a secret between God and myself only—but since you’ve guessed, yes, I’ll confess to you—l do love him. I think he’s the finest, noblest man I’ve ever met—the very bravest. I love him—although I’m sure he has never given a second thought to me be-vond a friendly interest.” “I’m not so sure about that,” James stated. “I’ve watched him when he’s been talking to you. I’ve seen the look in his eyes. But this will make a difference, of course. He has his pride. He’s penniless now —he's even got to look for a job. That would cause him ” Hilda would not let him go any farther.

“Don’t let’s talk about it, Jim—please!” she put in. “But I’ll tell you just this: If David came to me tomorrow and asked me to be his wife. I’d be the proudest, happiest woman in the whole world. I should accept him and stand by him and help him all I could. But he won’t do so—so we won’t discuss the matter any further, Jim. We’ll both of us be his friends—his true friends.” “His true friends,” James agreed —and they shook hands on it. David would have been surprised if he heard that conversation. It was true that he had grown to like and respect Hilda very much indeed. She had been by his side, helping him, encouraging him, both in these dark hours after the news of Harry’s accident had come, and again now. A fine woman! A splendid woman! And who could tell how his thoughts might have tended if things had been all right with him, if he had retained his business, had a definite position in life, some capital behind him? But he had nothing to offer now. He had given all for his son’s sake. He did not regret the sacrifice. He was glad that he had made it. He would do it all over again if necessary and possible. Nothing whatever to offer now. There was one task ahead of him, and one only. He must get work—however hard it was. however menial.

Harry was eager enough to get round to tell Carrie the good news that he had got a fresh job. She was pleased to hear it, but her face fell considerably when she heard that his salary was to be two pounds a week only. “But. Harry, that’s absurd!” she pried. “You can’t possibly manage on that!” “Oh, but I can, darling,” he said. “Dad was telling me how he kept himself on twenty shillings a week ”

Carrie made a quick gesture. “Times are different now,” she stated impatiently. “And, anyway, you’ve been used to something far different.”

“I know, but nevertheless I’m very grateful to Mr Wyman and to Dad for giving me this opportunity. It is a wonderful one, in the circumstances. You must agree. I mean, after—after what happened He paused and the angry colour came into Carrie’s cheeks. . “I suppose you’re going to blame me?” she demanded. “No, no. Carrie —I’m not going to do anything of the kind. I didn t mean that at all. I told Dad you were not to blame for anything that you couldn't help it.” “And what did your father say to that?” “He ” “Oh, I know —I know only too well!” Carrie panted. “He blamed me for everything. Of course he did! He was just as nasty about me as he could be. You won’t say so—but I know he was. He’s hated me all the time, and he thought this was his great chance to get you away from me—to put an end to everything. Just the mean sort of thing he would do!” It was Harry’s turn to flush up. “I won’t have you say anything.” he declared. “Won’t have me! I can say what I like!” she retorted. “No, you can’t —and I won’t listen to you. Carrie. Dad has been too kind—too splendid. You know well enough what would have happened if he hadn’t made this sacrifice. He has impoverished himself for me- - I can’t have you talking like that about him now. It isn’t playing cricket!’’ She turned and faced him. “So it’s like that, is it?” she cried. “You’ve been won over, have you. You don’t love me any more?” His arms went round her then, and he drew her to him. She struggled a little, but he would not let her go. He held her to him and kissed her lips.

“I love you with all my heart and soul,” he whispered, “and I shall go on loving you until I die. I don’t know what I should do without you, Carrie. I’ve been silly m the past. I’ve made a most awful mess of things at the very outset, haven’t I? But I’ve got two rocks to lean upon—my Dad s love, and yours! I couldn’t do without them both, my dearest. I want you more than ever, and that’s why I was going to suggest that we - “Yes?” she asked impatiently “Well, I was wondering if we couldn’t get married.” She drew back a bit, laughing incredulously.