Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-12-30
. The Fighting Hope 2
From the Play by
WILLIAM ]. HURLBURT

WILLIAM J. HURLBURT /
stars, she became a little humble; SIN
made no attempt to Judge. What wa,
she, in the audacity Of her youth, tt
flch the privilege Of the Almighty
Robert was gentle little man, who
could lie. She should have mated
with a strong, big man who couldn't
that was all. Just one mistake among
a myriad in teeming world.
'And what I've got to do is to sour.
ry back into my everyday self as
lquickly as l can" she concluded
AFTER all, nothing has happened.
Robert is Robert, and I am I, just as
we were when we pledged our troth.
And yet l could have killed him to-
night. To kill man because he hap.
pens to be himself is scarcely reason
able or sane. With this weakness, in.
herent in his nature, he'll have need
Of me. And the children want me.
I'm indispensable to all Of them. l
must take my life I'm my own hands.
No one can help me now. It will be
amusing to manage 1t, an excitement"
She rose, but her knees shook in an
imbecile sort Of way. She laughed a
bit sharply out into the dark.
I'm my mother all over again, l
see. My young mother died Of this
sort Of thing. believe" She put her
, hand out to touch a tiny jutting spur
twinkling silver in the new moons
rays and shivered. But I'll not die
of it; shall fill out. The fall from
FOOLS paradise hurts-oh. it hurts-but
it doesn't kill us In these days."
Closing the balcony door softly, she
entered the nursery. The children
were fast asleep in their cots. She
touched them curiously to see If their
soft, warm flesh would thrill her az It
used to do.
Poor little helpless soulsl You WIN
need me, won't your she said broken
". crouching down at their side.
Robert junior stirred
"The roof-it has a lazy time," he
murmured in his sleep.
Anna smoothed his soft hair and
trembled.
''Dear little son." she said, didn't
mother tell you the roof couldn't help
being where it is. It was made like
that. And the walls-they have to |
hold it up. No. they do not have
much fun
= =
Mr.. Marshf1eld Craven, the confden.
tial friend and legal adviser Of the
president Of the Gotham Trust com.
pany. clustered into the presidents II.
brary in his home up the Hudson. near
Oss'uing. He had cone from New
York early that afternoon and had
much to do before the presidents n
rival on the 2:30 express.
In hurried, whipping fashion, this
drawer was opened, then that. Papers
and documents were hastily strewn
here. there and everywhere. Unopen-
ed envelopes which dunned for atten-
ton were quickly torn open and
thrown into the wastebasket or on the
door, as the chance might be. All of
which proved a sore trial to Mrs.
Mason. the presidents housekeeper.
who was in the last stages of ''ddying
up" the library.
As usual. when Craven was busting
with work he noticed nothing of his
He pulled out his
watch. Fifteen minutes, yes!
"See If you can rattle of this letter
In time for the next post. Miss Gra-
ham. Take it directly on the ma
chine" he said. plying his fingers
through his thin. gray hair. And be
began to dictate.
But there was no confirming click
Of the typewriter. Craven turned over
his shoulder toward the secretary's
desk and looked above the rim of his
glasses.
BLESS my SOUL" he exclaimed, IF
I hadn't clean forgotten the bird had
flown. Humph. Mrs. Mason" he said
suddenly. addressing the housekeeper.
WIN SlOOO AulcAy OuSlAuS SSuSEOuS |
pipe rack, what in the world induced
Miss Graham to give up her Job any
how? She's been here over a year.
She's given entire satisfaction: had
her stipend raised twice; always treat
ed considerately-the deuce IT, l can
make it out!''
Mrs. Mason suspended her feather
duster and smiled systematically.
"she said ,her health was bad and
she wanted "a rest"
Health bad? Fiddlest1cks!' grunt-
ed Craven. "She had cheeks like Bald
win apples and walked like india rub
ber."
"Well. for my part Mr.. Craven. I'll
be perfectly frank. I'm going to give
up my position. too, only l don't in
tend to lie about it I'm going be-
cause
Because, Mrs. Mason?" The law
yer whirled around with surprise and
vexation.
"Well. things don't suit me. SIR
Then why don't you fire the cook,
IRE the butler, fire the whole blame