Midge Gette: The more the sexier

His somber air had disappeared as she talked. His heart swelled with pride and love of her, this child of his heart, who was learning so fast and always must declare herself with passion. He chuckled, and hearing the infectious sound, Sharon hugged him, laughing. "You have, haven't you?" she insisted.

"No, not really," he defended himself. "I just hate to think of them leaving when John is established."

She stared over his head. "Yeah," she said.

"But that won't be for some time yet, and they will still be here in Blockings," he told her consolingly. "And right now, I must get along, my dear. I'm not looking forward to telling your mother that Dwayne must do without my help."

"Just tell her you're doing it for his own good." Sharon grinned. "To save her golden boy from a life of shame and deceit." She struck a pose. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave-Hey, Uncle Nate, tell her no matter how pretty he'd look in it, we just must save her darling from being Jost in a web of gold!"

He went away, still chuckling. A web of gold, he thought. And the world seemed more and more to value the glitter and put it above everything else. But for himself and for Sharon, the gold of sunshine, with i ecv/ coppers for bread and some silver for laughter, would do nicely. And, too, he added, enjoying his fancy, a handful of love for him from a laughing girl, all for himself,

until a world of love for another burst into full bloom from the bud he so clearly saw within her-but she did not yet see for herself.

Later that evening, Uncle Nate felt an overwhelming desire to be alone. He excused himself early from dinner and went to his study. After reading a few of his favorite books of poetry over a few drinks of his favorite brandy, he drifted into thought.

At first, his mind was filled with daydreams and casual remembrances. But then deeper, more pressing and important thoughts began assaulting him. Yes, he had to do something. Things were getting out of hand, and he knew that unless he intervened things might get chaotic and nasty.

So he spent the remainder of the evening devising what he thought would be an effective plan of action.

Early the next morning, Uncle Nate sought out John Harrow. They sat across from one another with the chessboard between them in John's living room. As John began setting up the pieces, Nate reached out and stopped the old gardener.

No, Nate had not come to play chess and share casual conversation. Nate-had important business to discuss with his friend Harrow. And it wasn't long before the two men were talking in earnest.

At first, Nate had been hesitant about his plan, wondering if he weren't being too cruel. But after talking with John he realized that his plan was perfect for the situation.

And Nate wasted no time putting his plan into action.

Two days later, moving vans were lined up in front of his house. Nate's relatives bustled about making last-minute attempts to clear out their closets and get their things in order. Because for all intents and purposes, Nate Dugall had evicted everyone in the house. He promised the servants that he would continue to pay them their salaries until he could rent the place out to some more agreeable tenants. But everyone else had to go. And his word was final.

He knew that it would take a long, long time-if at all-for his relatives to see the worth and value of his decision. But after all, he had invited them there and they had turned into unreasonable guests. He was only giving them what they deserved-and perhaps even more than that. Because out from under his protective wing, Nate's relatives would have to fend for themselves. And he knew that they would be better off for it in the long run.

Yet he made different arrangements for his niece Sharon. Nate made it plain that she was free to accompany her relatives, but that he would be overjoyed if she would agree to stay with him in the new cottage until he had rented out his home.

Sharon agreed readily, happy to be alone with her uncle at last without the negative influences of her family.

After the initial excitement had worn off, Sharon got to thinking about John. She knew he would be returning in a short while, and she hoped that he would still find her attractive and agreeable. For she was certain that she was falling in love with him.

When John did return later that month, Nate presented the young doctor with a special proposition. Nate made his announcement at a dinner gathering over at the Harrow's modest cottage.

"I've decided," he told everyone, "to subsidize John's plans for the medical center. I've worked out a plan with my financial experts and have decided to buy the lot on Tiger Tail Road. John and I can discuss the terms of the lease later."

Everyone was overjoyed. The news was almost too good for both John and Sharon to believe. And after dinner they went for a short walk to talk about their feelings.

Stopping under a tall oak tree, John took Sharon into his arms and studied the way the moonlight highlighted her smooth skin. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she watched him say, "You know, darling, I love you very much."

"Yes, John?" she replied expectantly, intuitively understanding that he had much more to tell her.

"Well, when we get the medical center off the ground, I want you to work there, for me, in the off ice."

"That would be wonderful, John," she said, wondering if things could possibly get any better.

John then looked away, as if gathering the courage to continue speaking. Taking a deep breath, he blurted out, "And I also want you to be my wife."

"Oh, John!" she cried. "That would be wonderful!"

She moved forward and kissed John deeply, holding him as tight as she could. Never before had she felt so thrilled, and yet so at peace with the world.

"But there's only one problem," John said quietly, pulling away from Sharon. "While trying to pay off the mortgage for the center, I don't know if we'll have enough for a house. Or even an apartment."

"I think Nate took care of that, too," Sharon said. "The other day he told me he might be taking off for an extended vacation through Europe. He said I could have the cottage."

As John held her tightly, Sharon felt extremely happy and content. But she also realized that her life was just beginning, and that she would be taking on a whole new set of responsibilities. She felt a brief moment of anxiety, but then she thought about her family and her in-laws and all the problems they had created-and the way they had eventually paid for their foolishness. Having learned one important lesson from her family's failure, she knew that if she and John put their minds to it they couldn't help but succeed.