PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 12 (Supplement)

PAID IN FULL

= NEW SERIAL STORY =

by H. S. Sarbert

CHAPTER ll—(Continued) David forced these thoughts away from him, however, in order to listen to what Harry had to say. Harry was proudly displaying his cheque for fifty pounds—his first real commission. These buildings were to be put up according to his own design. They would be a success—he was sure of that. Other orders would follow, and he would become rich and famous. “You see, Dad, Carrie was right,” Harry went on, and he did not notice his father flinch. "She said that London was the place for me; that I should do much better in London than anywhere else—and already it’s turned out that way, hasn’t it? I’m forging ahead. I’m going to make the name of Preston—our name, Dad—l’m going to make it famous! That will please you, won’t it?”

His father nodded. ‘‘Ay, lad, that would please me,” he said, “but there’s something that would please me more. To have the name honoured and respected always—even in a small circle. “Preston and Son” over our shop door in Shalford has always stood for something.” “Yes, I know, Dad?” Harry agreed, and frowned rather perplexedly. “It has stood for something, Mr Preston, but not a great deal! I think you will admit that,” Carrie said, in her cool, sarcastic voice. “Just as Shalford itself can never stand for a great deal. It’s a small town —little more than a village. Harry would never get an outlet for his undoubted genius there—but he will get it here; I know he will. That’s why I persuaded him to come. I knew you were up against me. I knew that it would be a fight between us, and so I took my stand, for Harry’s sake—and because I happen to love him!” “You really love him, do you?”

There was both doubt and surprise in David’s voice. He rose to his feet. He stood facing this very modem girl in her expensive clothes, who had entered the lists against him, and who was even now boasting of her triumph. “Don’t you believe me, Mr’ Preston?” Carrie asked. “Perhaps I’m looking for proof. Miss Lucas. Perhaps ” “But, Dad. you’ve got proof,” Harry exclaimed. “You must see that for yourself. You've got it. It’s here, Carrie’s father counts for something in the financial world. His influence, his support, means a whole lot, and it is because of Carrie that that influence and support have) been behind me. Why, I owe every- j thing to her! Dad, I apologise for the : way I treated you, believe me, but I did what I thought was right ” “You mean that you did what Miss !

Lucas wanted you to do,” David put in. “It was a tug of war, lad, wasn’t it? She pulled one way and I pulled the other. One of us had to go—and it was me! Well I’m not blaming you for that ” “You couldn’t blame him,” Carrie interrupted. “Even you will admit that a young man should be allowed to make his own choice in life. Harry chose me—because he loved me, and not the girl you wanted him to choose. Don’t you think it would be fairer to all concerned if you admitted that much and became —shall we say—‘resigned to it’?” David looked straight back into the girl’s eyes. “I shall never be resigned to anything that isn’t for my boy’s happiness, his well-being—and his honour,” he said. “That’s what has counted with me in the past—and it’s what will go on counting with me always.” Carrie smiled. “All those things will be safe with me,” she rejoined, “so we have that much in common. And now, Harry” —turning to the younger man—“l believe you were going to take me out to dinner. The time is going “Why, of course,” Harry said, “and Dad must come as well. The three of us—we’ve got plenty to talk about.” He would not have it any other way, although David tried to make excuses. They must all go together. Th/s was his great day—the day of his first big success. And this, his father, turning up just in the nick of time! They must certainly go together. He would have chosen a quiet little place for the meal, but here again Carrie interfered. She would not have that. She wanted to go to a smart restaurant she usually frequented. It would be interesting to see how the grocer from the country conducted himself in these circumstances, she thought. But she got a surprise. It was not the first time that David Preston had dined out. There had been certain occasions when he had been called upon to represent his trade at functions, and he did not let his son down now. He walked in and took his seat at the table with them, and if Carrie thought that he would be using his fish knife and fork at the wrong time, she got a surprise. David Preston was perfectly at ease right through dinner. A party of friends passed them once on their way to another table, and stopped to speak a few words. Harry immediately Introduced his father, and Sylvia Crofton, a very smart girl, and a special friend of Carrie’s, smiled as she gave Mr Preston her hand.

“You don’t look old enough to be Harry’s father, Mr Preston,” she said. “Although Harry did show me your portrait once, I don’t think it did you justice. Have you come to stop in London for good?” “No! Just a visit to my son, that’s all,” David replied. “I expect I’ll be going back again shortly.” “Well, if you should be here when my party comes round next month, they must bring you along. Don’t forget that, Mr Preston. Good-bye for the present.” To be continued.