Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-12-23
Fiction ! | n
ONE TRIP AIyI)-ANOIliER.
Ry MARIE ALICE PHILLIPS.

tention Of Frank Ryals except SO far
as nervous person would notice mos
quitoes or aies. He brushed them
away without SO much as a look as he
passed down the long pier. With bent,
head and quickening footsteps he walk
ed, unheeding and unnoticed, through
the sweat and turmoil Of the city to
bis home. AS he rang the bell his
hand shook and the muscles Of his
throat tightened.
The faithful butler, who had been
valet to Frank Ryals before his mar
riage, held the door open and inquired
solicitously If mis- Ryals'' got of
safe and sound.
The reply came after pause, Eyes,
Brown, thank you," but the white,
drawn look Of his beloved masters
face repelled further inquiry, and the
butler retired to the kitchen, there to
unbosom himself to Cynthia.
It's my opinion Marse Frank is
mighty cut up bout Mis- Bess goin' of
to Europe 'ithout no warnin' hardly
at ALL
Cynthia shifted.
And her bride Of jes' three
months continued the indignant
Brown. "It's my opinion she. don't
care much about i'm, and i'm the best
and jolliest man that ever lived,
Brown was growing more aggrieved
every minute.
"Gus Brown, would you have a
oman tied to mans coattails always
jes' cause she happens to be married
to 'im?" And Cynthia set the pan
down sharply on the table.
Il don't expect much Of women folks
at no time," replied Brown stoutly, in
jecting as much scorn into his tones as
he thought safe, '.but / didn't much ex-
pect young bride to go off so cheer
ful-like and leave her husband for six
months on stretch"
Cynthia turned sharply and looked
into the face of the worthy butler.
"Did you say six months, Gus Brown
six months2''
The faithful Brown could only bow
his head In assent, and Cynthia, detect
Ing traces OF real grief in his usual
woodeny countenance, was too shock
Led to take much account of the blister
made on her hand by the overturned
gravy.
Presently Brown put his head in the
doorway Of the drawing room to an:
nounce dinner, but, seeing his master
with bowed head and bent shoulders,
retired quietly to the kitchen.
Cynthia called Brown "a white liver
ed coward on his return, which en-
boldened that functionary to go back
and touch his masters elbow.
II don't care for dinner, Brown,
thank you"
Thout SO much as movin'," Brown
confessed to Cynthia as they prepared
| to do Justice to the dinner now almost
cold.
| Letters came across the ocean to
Frank Ryals, full Of life and vivacity,
now brimming over with the Joy of
some bright experience, now breathing
awe and wonder Of the grandeur of
some old cathedral or mystery of ma
ture, but never once did she say 81
miss you, dear" or II wish I were
back at home with you," or II wonder
what you are doing" Frank Ryals
searched her letters feverishly for
some such expression. but it never
came. ( f8
| Old friends welcomed him back to
the club, and occasionally he. went to
the opera. Dinners at home were
scarce and finally ceased altogether.
Six months had extended into eight be-
cause Mrs. Raine wanted to take her
party into Egypt, but now they were
coming home
The man who stood on the pier wait
ing for the North German Lloyd
steamer to cast anchor on bright
April day looked very much like the
same Frank Ryals who had stood there
eight months before except for a GER
tain air of composure and two little
patches Of gray hair on his temples
that contrasted oddly with his fresh
face. He received Bess and her
friends cordially and told the latter
he had made all arrangements to have
them at his home during their short
| stay In New York.
Everybody talked at once at dinner,
there was so much to say and the joy
OF being once more on American soil
was SO keen. The company rose, BRO.
testing vigorously when their host
bade them good evening as he pre-
pared to leave the house.
we refuse to stay and turn, you out
OF house and home this way. 1t Is
atrocious.' 3 they said.
1T IS my pleasure" was the grave
answer, "and you must stay"
Bess for the first time In her life
was thoGghtful and said little. On
the fourth evening after her arrival
when the guests had all departed and
the clock was on the stroke OF III,
Frank Ryals rose and, taking hat and
cane. said good night.
Bess rose also.
Where are you going, Frank?'
TO the club" he calmly answered.
ETnys