Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-01-09
Fighting Hope q
From the Play by
WILLIAM J. HURLBURT

sons hand escaped her and swung to.
"Mrs. Mason. is that you?" said TEN
pie. without looking around. will you
come here? Poor child. I'm afraid she
needs your care"
Anna raised herself by an effort. Her
first half conscious impulse was to
throw herself into the arms of the
woman standing by her. Then as she
perceived Mrs. Mason clearly, as her
reason came back and her gaze stead
led, the impulse died.
| THAT was dowdy sort of thing to
do" said she apologetically, with a
faint smile. She rose to her feet.
did l turn up my eyes to heaven.
wabble once and overwhelm you, Mr..
Temple? I've seen it done like that
on the stage: it looks melodramatic.
I'm sorry" She was talking frivo-
lousy against the awful blackness of
| despair in the background of her mood.
"Now. Mrs. Mason" Temple said,
with big kindness, "help Miss Dale
to her room, lock her in if need be,
and don't let her show her face until
tomorrow at noon. Strict orders, you
understand" he added smilingly.
'She's overworked. Oh, and Miss Dale,
I'm so sorry to trouble you. but just
one moment before you 60. Would
you mind giving me that combination
so that I can jot it down." Suiting
the action TO the words. he pulled out
a book Of memoranda.
'T'- In very bewildered, pathetic
fashion Anna Changers hands went
up to her heavy masses of hair. TITS
my dizzy. dizzy head. Mr.. Temple"
said she. Tin afraid I can't re-
member the combination just now"
"Well. never mind" returned he
gently. There's later train l can
take, and when It comes to you just
send it down by Mrs. Mason. Good
evening, and sleep we'll tonight. I've
lots to say to you tomorrow. Miss
Dale" he called after them in down
right b0yish fashion. His burden Of
months had been lifted, and he was
coming to his own again.
Once in the privacy Of her own room
Anna told Mrs. Mason everything. She
sat there now. twisting and untwisting
her hands in silence. her face very
white. her pupils wide and black.
".And now" she began again duly. |
II shall have to 80 before the man
I have wronged and make my awful
confession. | shall have to face the |
first big look of incredulity sweeping
over him: then the tightening Of his
lion lips and lastly, perhaps, the pity
Of his eyes. Oh. can't, l can't.
never knew before that I was cow
ard. But am. amp
Anyhow. dearie," ventured Mrs.
Mason, you've done your duty toward
your children-you have cleared their
mot really l haven't. not really and
truly. Why. Mrs. Mason, I've just told
you their fathers guilty-guilty as
hell! And to think shall have to 60
back again to Westfleld and take up
my life with that man" Her brows
twitched and she trembled.
eyes," pursued the stern old Puri-
tan who, because Of a peculiar twist
Of conscience, could see the matter
only from one side. Its the debt
you owe the boys. Anna. No woman
has any right to give helpless souls
the wrong father. And when the day
If reckoning comes it's she must pay.
not the children she's betrayed into
ife Oh, look here! Here's something
was just going to bring you when
Mr.. Temple rang the bell for me. It
had just come in the post
From her pocket Mrs. Mason drew
an envelope, out of which she took two
enclosures.
'"rhey sent them to me. as I told
them." she explained to the wan moth
ar, handing her the children's letters.
Harold writes pretty we'll for five,
doesn't he. Mrs. Mason" observed
Anna with pride. opening the younger
boys missive first. And she read
aloud: Il
Dear Mother-When are you coming {
lome? l am WE'LL I hope you are we'll. |
had a stomach ache. The cat had kit 8
ems. Are you coming home next week: .
Robbie says he Is going to be president.
He's been 1t every day this week. Won't {
'ou please make Robbie not be president
every day right along? He lets me be 4
Vice president but that's no fun. When ,
ire you coming home? Very respectfully.
'our son. HAROLD GRANGER"
"And what does Robbie's letter say"
asked Mrs. Mason as Anna stopped
o wipe the foolish little mother tears
rom her eyes.
my Dearest Middle (she began with
sorrowful pride in her voice. "Bobs has
lever left OF calling me 'Muddie Mrs.
Mason. Don't you think it's dear and Z
pretty Of him DIDO not worry. Every >
hing is quite all right. Harold had the
stomach ache but that's all right too.
Harold misses you when we 20 to bed.
'ut don't, not till after Harold's got to
leep Your son, .
ROBERT GRANGER NO. z"
he signed It Robert Granger NJ.
Z the second" HniSha6 Sho DRAWING |