Bismarck daily tribune., 1915-12-26

II understand there's been some
complaint about the food he began,
a twinkle In his eye that melted some
Of the threatening glances fastened
upon him. Il have understood it was
had for some time. but didn't realize
how bad food could he until took
- He wriukled his face wryly and
the ice was broken.
From the back of the crowd man
laughed. In second he was Joined
by others and soon Monroe held them
In the palm of his hand
well, It's going to get better and
get better right away" he declared,
emphatically. "lll 90 you one bet
fer than that. men, and tell you its
going to get good Tonight you can
look forward to a real supper-a real
supper, understand"
He turn ed upon Payne. even as the
men we're wildly cheering. knowing
that nov was the psychological mo.
ment to make his strongest play. d..
Get in my car. Lee" he con.
manded, "and don't waste any time
getting back here with a load of grub
have it here for supper
~ II.
For once Julia Munroe was ready,
impatiently waiting the arrival of her
sweetheart. He had told her moth.
ing of the reason for his coming to
town in the middle Of the week, told
her nothing Of the row. But he had
spoken OF something which had made
her jump from the mass Of cushions
against which she spent = goodly por.
tion OF her days and hustle into her
most becoming afternoon gown. Just
a week remained before tho date Of
their wedding and she had delayed in
characteristic fashion procuring any
of the clothes she had spent 80 many
hours planning and dreaming out up.
on the divan.
She plunged Immediately to the sub,
ject, even before Payne's arms had
relaxed about tho waist of her. looking
up into his face in the tantalizingly
irresistible fashion which he, as well
as her father, always found so ire.
sistible.
Nov, there's no use telling me why
you came to town; there's no sense
trying to talk to me about food for
tho men. There'll be plenty of time
after you look over a few little things
in the shops with me-"
But l must have it there for sup.
perl tell you, Julia. the situation
became so serious there was nearly
murderous row at the fields"
Bother the fields" she exclaimed
petulantly. You're just like father
oil, oil, oil morning. noon and night,
until I've even ordered the cook to
leave any Of the hateful stuff out of
the cooking
Payne laughed. despite himself,
laughed and catching her about the
waist. drew her to him, trying to coax
the pretty. pouting face towards hia
own. , ia,
"All right he laughinsy capitulst
cd. But on just one condition-that
We 60 to the grocery together
The irresistible music OF her
laughter intoxicated him and, as they
swung into the car he wondered how
in the world he had ever for mo-
ment dreamed Of resisting her lure.
In fact, as they wandered from shop
to shop that afternoon, he felt more
and more the hero for tho manful
fight he had put up against her
tempestuous assaults.
And once as he looked at his watch,
to his strained, guilty car came a
sharp report, the report OF revolver.
He started and moved swiftly toward
Julia, placing his arm commandingly
upon her wrist She turned the
witchery of her glance upon him and,
for just an instant, the suspicion of q
frown puckered her brow. 1t cleared
instantly then, with an exquisite, lit.
tie whimper she came very close to
him. looking up into his face with the
perplexcd and worried expression of
child.
I'm simply famished,' she ex-
claimed. Surely, you won't permit
me to starve, Lee. Just 4 mouthful
and then We can"
Hungry: He started as she
voiced his thought of the unappeased
hunger of those men he had visualized
throughout the afternoon. mo really,
Julia
She had his arm in her two, tiny
hands. Intellectual hands they seemed,
dainty and blue-veined and almond.
tipped at the fingers. And yet, like
bands of steel, they drew him, despite
himself, despite everything within
himself that cried out aloud against
their pressure.
Ira Monroe settled back in his OF.
fee chair, idly staring at the hands
Of the big clock. He had gone over
the books for the first time in week,
had listened to Pat Grady's story Of
the fracas that had come so near end
ing fatally. And, az the old mans eyes
closed, slowly. very slowly his mind
travelled from the fields to his home in