The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-04-30
Author of

But he didn't believe that when
told him so the other day. He was
kind-he'd always be that-and en-
couraging. But it was quite plain
that I'd become to him just one of
those freak fool inventors that they
make jokes about in the comic supple
ments-sOmebOdy to be sorry for and
lend fifty dollars to and get. rid Of.
well, it's pretty hard to believe a
man is wrong when you see him sur
rounded with the evidence of his right
ness about other things-see him max
ing decisions crisp and cool, and 9TH
er people taking them without mo-
ment's question. So came away won
dering if he wasn't right about me-
That's why l went to pieces like that
when you came and told me he'd
changed his mind" s.
But you didn't understand" said
Celie. He didn't disbelieve in you.
He told me that night that he thought
probably you were right about it, But
we're poor. Didn't he tell you that?
We lost all our money. We're living
in little $12-d0llar month fiat out
near Humboldt park. He's, working
for $25 dollars a week-oh, but thir-
ty! He got raise Saturday. So, you
see, it wasn't that he didn't believe in
you"
1t had been a certain tense incredul-
ity In his gaze at her. which had kept
her piling up these confirmatory de-
tails-a vaguely disquieting look. She
was glad when he turned away.
But then. the two thousand dol
lars? he asked suddenly, turning back
again after silence. Where did that
come from?"
"Oh, that" she said, twas something
that he insisted was mine and would
MT touch. 1t was mine. in a way, OF
course. So when he said he thought
you were right about it. ] went. and
got the money. without telling him.
you see. and brought it to you. And
l don't want you to tell him. either
Just write him a note that you've got
the money for the test, and that you'll
let him know how it comes out"
"Sit down for another minute" he
said, and led the way back to the black
just as she'd pushed it over to him.
walnut table, where the check. lay.
Il think ought to tell you" he went
on, that any sensible man of business
experience, if he knew about this
transaction. would warn you very earn
estly, not to 60 through with it. He's
beg you to pick up that check, if he
were standing here, and put it back in
your pocket. If he did, I shouldn't
have a word to say, except to thank
you for your kindness That's what
I'll do if you pick it up and put it
back in your purse now. l don't urge
you to do it myself, because 1 abso-
lutely believe that it's a safe, i'm
mensely profitable investment But I'm
the only person in the world who be-
lieves that Don't you want to take it
back?"
NO" said Celia. II believe it, too. y
He picked up the check, folded it
very deliberately, and put it in his
pocketboOk. Visibly he was thinking
his way through the silence to some
thing else. At last he said, "Pll do
as you like about your husband, OF
cOurse-tell him simply that I've got
the money to complete the tests; also
I'll tell him when they're successful
But, since you're partner in this
business, I'd like to notify you, too
Do you mind letting me have your ad-
dress?" .a
why" said Celia, ''why-of course
not. wed be glad if you'd come
and see us. And-and Of course you
may let me know as we'll as Alfred, ii
you like"
He took the card she wrote for him
and put 1t, too, In his pocketbOOk, witt
an air, somehow, Of concluding the
business between them as he did so
She got up and held out her hand
to him. "Goodby," she said, "and good
luck! And I hope you'll come out
would. She gave him the invitation
and see us"
She hadn't the least idea that he
in an uneasy attempt to obliterate the
reason he had avowed for asking for
her address. So that he could notify
her % we'll rs her husband of the sue
cess Of his tests? Oh, It was natural
enough that be should want 70 10 that