Part 16 (1/2)

”He's obstinate and unless I can satisfy him it might be awkward for me.”

”Then, you had better try Dillon. The kid's rich and sometimes generous,” Deering remarked. ”In a sense, he's mine, but since you're up against it, I'll lend him to you.”

He went off and Stannard frowned. For him to be fastidious was ridiculous, but Deering's frankness jarred. Still he needed a large sum, and although he could borrow for Jimmy, he could not borrow for himself; the fellow who supplied him was a keen business man. Stannard lived extravagantly, but the money he used was not his, and unless he justified the speculation supplies would stop. So far, the speculation had paid and he owned he ought not to be embarra.s.sed. The trouble was, he squandered all he got.

He weighed Deering's plan. Dillon's father was rich and indulged the lad. Stannard had stopped at his ambitious house on Puget Sound, and imagined the old lumber man approved Laura. In fact, the drawback to Deering's plan was there. Stannard had not bothered much about Laura and was willing for his wife's relations to undertake his duty, but he did not mean to put an obstacle in her way. She must make a good marriage; after all, her aunts were poor.

By and by the group on the steps broke up and Laura came to Stannard's table. He noted that her eyes sparkled and her color was rather high. It looked as if she had triumphed over another girl; Stannard admitted the others were attractive, but none had Laura's charm.

”You have soon forgotten Jimmy,” he remarked.

”No,” said Laura, ”I have not forgotten Jimmy. Although I did not want him for a lover, he's my friend. But he really was not my lover. That accounts for much.”

”Yet I imagine, if he had been persuaded to go back to the cotton mill--”

Laura blushed, but she gave Stannard a steady look. ”I liked Jimmy, Father, and I was not altogether selfish. I felt he ought to go back.”

”To lead a young man where he ought to go is rather an attractive part,”

Stannard remarked. ”Jimmy wanted to marry you. What about Frank Dillon?”

”Ah,” said Laura. ”Frank is not as rash as Jimmy! Jimmy doesn't ponder.

He plunges ahead.”

”You imply that Frank uses caution.”

”Oh, well,” said Laura, smiling, ”perhaps I use some reserve.”

Stannard thought her voice was gentle, and turning his head, he studied Dillon. The young fellow stood at the top of the steps as if he wanted to follow Laura, but waited for her to indicate that he might. Stannard reflected with dry amus.e.m.e.nt that Laura kept her lovers in firm control.

Frank was rather a handsome fellow and Stannard knew him sincere and generous. Perhaps it was strange, but a number of the young men he admitted to his circle were a pretty good type. Although Stannard was not bothered by scruples, he was fastidious.

”But I want to know-- It's important,” he said. ”Suppose Frank is as rash as Jimmy? Will you refuse him?”

Laura blushed, but after a moment or two she looked up and fronted her father.

”Why is it important for you to know?”

Stannard hesitated. He had not used his daughter for an innocent accomplice, and had she married Jimmy he would have tried to free the lad from his entanglements. Now, if she loved Frank, he must not embarra.s.s her.

”Well,” he said, ”I rather think I must give you my confidence. I need money and it's possible Frank would help.”

”Oh, Father, you mustn't use Frank's money!” Laura exclaimed and, since her disturbance was obvious, Stannard's curiosity was satisfied. ”He's your friend and trusts you,” she resumed. ”I think you ought to force Deering to leave him alone.”

For a few moments Stannard was quiet. Laura loved Frank; at all events she was willing to marry him, and it looked as if she knew more about her father than he had thought. Well, Laura was not a fool.

”Sometimes your tact is rather marked,” he said. ”I wonder whether you really think Deering a worse friend for Frank than me? However, we'll let it go. If you marry the young fellow, he, of course, ought not to be my creditor.”

Laura gave him a grateful look and when she replied her voice was apologetic. ”Perhaps I wasn't justified, but I felt I was forced-- I mean, I didn't want you to bother Frank, and one cannot trust Deering.”