PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21248, 19 October 1940, Page 12 (Supplement)

PAID IN FULL

NEW SERIAL STORY =

by H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER XII (Continued) Return to Business Harry told his father of his meeting with Carrie Lucas, of what had happened, and how he had felt about the whole thing. “We made no further arrangements for meeting, Dad,” he added. “I don’t suppose we shall meet again. I—l hope not, anyway.” Mr Preston glanced across at his son. “It seems curious to hear you talking like that, son,” he said. Harry flushed. “I know! But you were right, Dad! I made a mistake, and I’ve discovered my mistake. But you were the one who had to pay for it. I made you ” His father came over and put a hand on the youngster’s shoulder. “That's enough!” he stated. “Don’t let’s talk any more about it. Harry. ] I’m more than satisfied with the way j ; things have turned out. By-the-by, i here’s a letter that may interest you. 1 It came after you left this morning.” It was from old John Winn, written in his cramped handwriting. In it he asked David Preston to come and see him as soon as he possibly could, as he had something of importance to discuss with him. “Can’t understand what it can be about —unless he wants some more information about the business,” Mr Preston said. “But I shall go, of course.' 0 And when John received him kindly, and the shop was closed the two men sat in the armchairs and talked, i Old John did not beat about the | bush. lie told David that running I the two shops was toe much for him. I He did not complain about trade I David’s returns had been all he had | claimed, and more; the business was worth a bigger figure than had been paid for it. But the two were more than he could manage and as the present manager was leaving to take up a post in London, the question of his successor was a Dressing one. John asked David to return and take charge. As far as terms were concerned, this was a simple matter He was to run the shop in his own way, and then, out of the profits, and : v degrees, he was to pay his friend back the sum that had been paid for the business. There would be no pressure applied. John said he I would not make much trouble if the j balance was never paid in full. He ! wanted his old neighbour back again. ! He missed him—missed the talks that | they had had together. ! David listened very quietly to j everything. Up to the present, he ' had not seen Viola, but he guessed that she had had a lot to do with ; this: that after her last trip to Lon- ; don she had come back and talked i to her grandfather. And, for all

his sharp ways, old John loved that little girl of his very much indeed. All the same, David hesitated about accepting the offer. ! When, rather impatiently, John Winn asked him what was the matter with him, why he should be hesitating at all, David explained that this “deal’ ’amounted to a gilt; that it was like giving him back the shop. That was a position he felt he could not accept. “Meaning your pride is standing in your way?” John grunted. “It isn’t that, John ” “Ay, but is is that!” Winn retorted. Then his manner changed. He leaned slightly forward. “You’re still a young man, David,” he begun. “Am I?” the other smiled. “I used to think that at one time, but just recently ” “Just recently you’ve had a fair amount of suffering and illness? Yes, I know!” John said. But you’re in your prime still. You’ve still got the best of your life before you. It’s different with me. I’m really old! I can feel the vitality going out of me. I’ve got a name for being a greedy man, and perhaps not without some justification. I always used to be after making as much money as I could, closing up all the opposition. Yes, I would have liked to close up your shop at one time, David—not that I ever stood much chance! But now I can sit back in my chair and sort o’—well, laugh at it all. What’s the use, anyway? ' I’ve got all I want —and got enough I put by to leave to the little lass as 1 well. So why all the struggling? And I tell you frankly I want you back. Viola talked to me— —” “I was sure of that!” David put in. “Well, she did, and she was right! I understand Harry and Viola still write to each other?” “Yes!” “She loves him!” cried John. “And Harry loves her ” -He ought to, if he’s got any sense! But he ” John paused, and David told him of the talks he had had with Harry. “I’m well aware that my boy made mistakes,” he said. “He real- j ises that himself, and he has come through. He’s doing well now. | He’ll rise to the very top—as I anti- j cipated he would. I’m proud of him i now—and I’ll have cause to bo I prouder still later on! And then he’ll i come to Viola and tell her—l’m sure [ of that.”

John heaved a sigh—was it a sigh of relief? “I’d like it to happen before I go,” he whispered. “I’d like to know everything’s all right for the little lass." But what you’ve said makes this all the easier. It’s happiness and contentment that comes first—not money. I've an idea that’s something you could have taught me all along, David Preston! You never hesitated to sacrifice yourself for that boy of yours, did you? And now, if you "can feel like this about him; if you feel he can be trusted on his own—without you to keep your eye on him ” -He can!” David put In. | “All right, then! Come back here and accept my offer. Take over the business, and let things be as they were again. I want it. and v r iola wants it. She’ll cry her eyes out of you don’t accept!” (To be continued daily)