Show i T TELEGRAM FICTION I f Ann Annes Anne's e eI I 5 Mis Mistake t a k e j By JOHN PATRICK LALLY r BEGIN HERE DERE TODAY When Anne Herrick marries DIck Rudy Hardy her mother and sister siler Jane I t C play little Peter Nash his loved Anne for to so long that her family has taken laken for tor granted that he be her choice Anne loving loving lov lov- ing Dick overlooks his impetuous moo moody irresponsible qualities Through the sale of oe hIs own radio in Dl becomes established ac 1 sales roles manager for tor the t At Annes Anne's suggestion he hires L ecter eter AS his sales lles director Peter accepts the position to please Anne Annel but resents Dicks Dick's magnanimous attitude at- at ti i Because B use of at his friendship for the Herricks Peter suggests to Dick that he buy back their home which they lost the winter before and Dick seizes the idea os as a chance for a gens gen erous crous gesture They invite Peter and Mr Major another lo loyal loal al friend t to tobe be there when DIck presents th the deed to Annes Anne's mother Jane and her mother go into the house first Mrs r Herrick Is 15 overcome with appreciation tion and Jane determines to apologize apologize apolo- apolo gize to Dick for for- her resentment toward him NOW GO ON WITH TOE THE STORY INSTALMENT XI Mrs Herrick hesitated a fraction or of a second then she spoke Let me handle it it Jane Ill I'll explain everything to hIm But wasn't it H wonderful of him to look around until un- un tit til he found some ot of the things that were actually taken from our home Yes mother it was I never thought Dick w wa that Hut sort of a chap who'd do anything like lUe this Dont say that Jane that's not fair Hes He's done everything a son could do to make a mother happy Indeed In In- deed Jane hes he's made us so happy that I cant can't rid myself ot of the idea that God must have had something to do with Dicks Dick's buying the house Before Belore Jane could reply n a clatter of dishes sounded from the kitchen Mrs Herrick turned startled eyes ees on Jane Though Janes Jane's fright matched her mothers mother's she swung open the dining room doors The table t- t ble was laid for six She went to the kitchen and as she placed her hands on the door she heard voices In Q a lash flash she he knew the full scope of D Dicks Dick's eks ek's strategy She opened the door Two white while jacketed w waiters stood near a serving table They smiled and bowed Jane closed the thedoor thedoor door and went back to her mother Whit is it Jane asked Mrs Her rick evenly From her tone Jane knew that her mother had guessed the surprise Jane about to tell what she had seen when the doorbell rang She hurried through the hall to answer the summons I Jane threw open the door deor Besides Anne and Dick Peter and Mr Major greet greeted d her Come Com on In in began Jane happily thin her threat th t became dry and the words refused to take form As she stood back for the others to pass she felt her eyes eyes' brimming Anne kissed her Dick strode vigorously vigor into the living room Mr 1 Major spoke I feel almost as happy about this as you do Jane She answered answered an- an him with Q a smile Peter stopped at her side took her land h and said It Il was wonderful ot of Dick to think of doing this wasn't it Yes Peter replied Jane And Ive I've been unfair to him Now I feel like kissing the round ground he be walks on Dont Donl be sill silly J Jane ne Peter spoke e sharply But Peter she said fd miserably you OU know w how I wanted Anne to to Please young OUD woman replied Peter assuming the judicial pose of ofa a rural justice ot of the peace lets forg forget t everything but Dick Lets Let's pay him every honor we can to show him how much we ap- ap pr h his generosity They entered the room together Dick and Anne w were re on the piano bench Mr Major was sitting in the chair so often n filled by Mr Herrick Mrs Herrick was near him Dick w was speaking How d does it feel to be back in the theold old tome home Mrs Herrick His voice was strident and he was m making no attempt to conceal his elation As I saM said before Dick I can never thank you ou enough You cant can't realize what this thi house means to me Oh yes S I can he replied quickly Yes indeed And It 1 gives C me as much pleasure as it does docs you You know he continued the day I Ire received re- re my money the first coherent thought that came to me w was about this house I decided at that moment to buy it beck if i it took every cent ot of the lie paused and glanced around the circle as it if to check the reception of his hi words Mrs Herrick and Anne were looking at him with adoring e eyes cs Mr Majors Major's face was grave but sympathetic Jane returned his gaze gue with affection But Bul Dick didn't look at Peter Suddenly DIck rose and went to the kitchen His voice drifted back to the lIving room He was issuing orders When he came back his face was flushed He had scarcely sat down when the dining room doors were opened The Tho lights were turned on and In the doorway stOod a grinning grin grin- rinning rin- rin ning waiter who vho announced Dinner Din nor ner is ready Dick leaped to his feet teet and cried Mrs Herrick this dinner is just a small part of the h cele- cele bration After you eat Ive I've got some some- things else for you you He turned to the others end and said find place cards on the table waiting he went to Mrs Herrick took her arm then turned to Anne and walked Into the dining room with them He seated Mrs Herrick At the head of the table Anne Wa at her right he W was S on her left Next to Anne wu was Jane while Mr Major was placed immediately below Dick and Peter Peler sat next to Mr Major During the dinner Dick talked reciting reciting re- re citing a saga of Dick Hardy in which the ls l's had little competition A. A As the dishes were removed he stood upI up I have a few words to say that I know will make somebody happy He then spoke directly to Mrs Herrick Her Her- rIck saying Mother Herrick this is one ot of the happiest moments of my life He threw back his shout ders To some this gilt gift of the house may seem quixotic even ven a waste of money but to my thinking the in intangible intangible tangible things of life such uch as happy happi ness are arc frequently more important than anything else e ie I want you ou to know that there is no element clement of charity involved in my giving you this house none what what- ever I am giving it to you simply to show my respect and my love He stopped Mrs Herrick was WIS lookIng look look- ing at him with eyes that were mist misty Dick cached into his coat pocket and taking out a folded piece of paper went event on I have here the deed to this property It bears my signature and Annes I am givIng it to you without any strings strines and we have So arranged matters that you cannot dispose dis- dis pose of it or mortgage it as long as you live He sat sal down amid applause Then Mr Major stood up He Hc said Just to 10 make the evening complete I have a little present for Jane He handed her two slips of paper She glanced at them Mr Major spoke This is a secret between Jane and me Tell TeIl us us Jane begged Anne Jane flushed and replied Mr Major has just given me receipts for forthe forthe the two months months' rent I 1 haven't paid But I wont won't have it that way I If you ou dont don't accept those receipts Mr Major spoke laughingly Ill seize the gr grandfathers grandfather's clock and pewter pew pew- ter ware that you have down at my m place He added Ill never be able to repay the HerrIck f family mily for the pl pleasure tl e ey have brought so me-so you be quiet young lady Jane smiled but said nothing An silence enveloped envelo d them Dick moved hs his chair near Mrs HerrIcks Herrick's so o that he could take in the entire table He looked straight at Peter Nash Unconsciously Unco the others did likewise Peter reddened red red- and slowly got to his feet feel When he hc spoke the words were scarcely intelligible Everybody seems to be doing for the Herrick family this evening ening except Peter Nash What can Peter Nash do He spoke as though talking to himself then his face lightened but bul his eyes were cold ashe as ashe he said Peter Nash takes this op op- of telling Dick Hardy that has hc's proud to salute f lute him as the man who has brought joy to the Herrick family As Peter spoke the knuckles of his han hands s on the back of the chair whitened whit whit- ened And as he finished speaking h mouth closed with a Snip snap o o 0 Although the party at the Herrick home the night before had lasted until until un- un til nearly midnight Dick was at theoffice the office earlier than usual the next When Peter came in he greeted him noisily saying Mr Hardy sort lort of showed them all a few things about generosity l last t night didn't he Peter smIling broadly replied You certainly did Dick that was princely princel giving Mrs HerrIck her old home Oh I had been intending to buy the thc place and give ghe it to her ever since I received my money but I was busy with other matters and didn't have a 0 chance to do anything about It until you mentioned it It Dick spoke hurriedly He shot a glance at Peter But if Ie he expected to read anything in Peters Peter's face he was mIstaken for Peter had swung toward the door Dick heard Peters Peter's voIce I had a hunch you were going going go- go ing to buy the place before I suggested sug it to you ou The reply gratified Dicks Dick's vanity and when Peter opened the door lad lag to the salesroom Dick beamed and said piously III I really derived more pleasure out of the gift than Mrs Herrick Im glad to h hear ar that Dick said Peter Then grinning nning he added You know the Lord loves a cheerful giver To be continued Copyright 1933 Chicago Dally Daily News Copyright 1934 Register and TrIbune Syndicate e |