PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21250, 22 October 1940, Page 8

PAID IN FULL

by H. S. Sarbert

NEW SERIAL STORY =

Happiness lor All “It’s more than I deserve, darling, I know,” he whispered. "I couldn’t complain one little bit if you turned , me down completely; if you refused to have anything to do with me at all—but if you did ” He paused. “If I did'.'” Viola asked softly. “Then I should be the most utterly wretched man in the world!” Harry cried. ••Whatever I’ve done during the past year would count as very little, for I've had two people in mind all the time, Viola—Dad and you! I've wanted both of you to realise why I had done it. Not for myself first and foremost—but for you. And if I've failed in that—” “You haven't failed,” Viola interrupted. “1 think you know I've always cared, Harry, and I'm ready to marry you whenever you wish—if you want me.” He lilted her from the stile, took her in his arms and kissed her. j “You don't know how much I want i you!” he said, his face close to hers. ! They went back together to old , John Winn, and found that Mr Pres- j ton was already there. The two ! elder men had been anticipating the j news. It meant, of course, that j Viola would have to go to London j to live, since it would be necessary ; for them to make their home near ' Harry’s place of work. In fact, j Harry was to be given a small, ■ modern house on the estate that his firm was building about ten miles out of London. It was enough for John, as it was for David, to see these young folk so utterly and completely happy, but, . of course, John had to have his little j “grouch” when Harry said he and j Viola were going to see the vicar then J and there about putting up the banns. ' “Don't know what the world's coming to!” he grumbled. “Couple of youngsters go out for a walk and come back and spring it on their elders that they've fixed it up to get married! I’ll have to close the shop for that day, I suppose. But, mind you, David Preston, I’ll have you taking no unfair advantage of me. I shall give the bride away, of course, but if I close my shop, you’ll close yours too!” David laughed. “I think I can promise that,” he said. A very pretty wedding took place in the parish church, and a special hall was hired for the reception afterwards, for not only villagers and customers wanted to be present. Harry had made quite a lot of influential friends in London, and they all turned up. Two very important guests were the Rev. James Holden and his sister Hilda, the latter looking very charming. Harry and Viola were going to Somerset for their honeymoon, and they left about four o’clock in the afternoon. Hilda and David went down to the station to see the bridal pair off, and there was a queer little smile on Harry's face as he bade Hilda good-bye. “Look after Dad for me,” he said. At which Hilda had found herself flushing up and hardly knowing what to answer. She and David took the longest way back, through the meadows, and it was at the very stile where Harry had proposed to Viola that they paused. And there, in his quiet majily tone, David Preston spoke the words that made Hilda Holden the happiest of all women.- He told her that he loved her. He asked her to be his wife. He was able to do that now with a completely easy conscience. Harry’s future was assured from every angle, and the business was paying bettei than ever. He could keep a wife in comfort, with a certain amouni of ease. It meant asking Hilda tc give up the career she had undertaken, but she had done much gooc work in the past, ayd there woulc be plenty for her to do in Shalford Hilda did not hesifiye. She lovec David. He was the only man she had ever loved in all her life. She was not afraid to look him straight in the eyes and tell him so. “There’s quite a lot I’ll have tc learn, David,” she said. “I’ll be i grocer’s wife, shan’t I? and I wan to be a useful one, so you’ll have tc teach me all about butter and eggs and tea and sugar, and so forth. Bu I'll try to give you satisfaction, sir!’ A demure little smile played abou* the corners of her lips, making hei appear wonderfully attractive tc David. “You needn’t worry about that, mj dear,” he said. “You’ve pleasec me right well from the first time ever met you!” “You always pleased me. too David,” Hilda responded. “You’ve been such a magnificent father!” He took her in his arms and kissec her. It was wonderful for HilcU to feel his strong arms about her They walked back very slowly. The first person they met in the lobby ol the hall was James. The clergyman saw the wonderful happiness in his sister’s face, and then glanced at the man by her side. He held out his hand. When is it to be, Brother David?” he asked. David Preston smiled. “We are reckoning to call on your services exactly a month from today, Brother Jim.” he answered. THE END