The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-02-13
MUCH ADO
BY BRIGHAM.
e9eSS9S9SS%SSSeSeSS9S

&c. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper s yndicats.)
Like a luxurious kitten. Doris Lee
sat curled upon the bed, watching her
hostess, Marion Keith. Suddenly Doris
gave a sidelong glance at her COM
paniOn n said lazily: "Have you
heard about Phil Sawyer. MarionY"
What about him?" asked the other,
as she turned toward the speaker.
why haven't you heard, reallyY' In
hef excitement Doris fairly bounced up
on the bed. They say he's engaged to
Mabel Bradley! OF course, we don't
know for certain that it's so, but he's
been seen with her a let and we all
think it's terrible, if it's so, because
everybody knows he's been going
around with you for perfect ages
and
4. Il don't believe it," broke in Marion,
and slipped out, closing the door be-
hind her.
Across the hall Marion was on her
knees by the bed. Over and over she
was Whispering. her head bowed on her
tightly clasped hands. 'Oh. it can't be
SO! Pills not like that know" but
no peace came. She remembered how
little she had seen Phil lately-not
since their last dance when he had
come in late and had. danced only
twice with her. But she had thought
that he looked tired-still, hadn't he
danced with Mabel more than that?
Back and forth waged the battle of
doubt and loyalty, until the girl was
worn out. At last she climbed YEARLY
into bed, TO stare for long hours into
the dark, MISUNDERSTANDING.
A week eel by with no word from
Phil. Perhaps he was away. but he
always wrote or telephoned to her. He
was O i'll, Orsshe would have heard.
She felt that her friends all pitied her.
She would prove to them that she did
not care! And SO Marion ran to the
telephone and called Up her cousin,
Harry. who was only too glad to find
her in such a responsive need. For
days she motored with him, canOed
with him. danced with him, laughed
with him and did her best to quiet the
persistent ache in her heart, but with
little success.
Then came the club dance. For three
years Phil had taken Marion to the
club dance, but it was Harry who came
for her tonight, and found her looking
very lovely in a chiffon dress, like a
rosy cloud. Her heart was a whirl Of
emotions. Would Phil be at the dance?
What would she say or do if he were?
AS they entered the great hall to-
gether Marion's eager eyes looked
quickly about, and instlactively she
shrank back against the wall; for
there was Phil, dancing with Mabel
and looking down into her upturned,
laughing face with a smile.
Come on, let's dancer said Harry,
happily, and swung Marion into the
crowd.
The fifth dance found her again with
Harry Suddenly she heard a gay
Hello, Marionr' and looked UP to see
Doris smiling at her, and above the
golden head, Pills gray eyes looking
straight into her own.
She missed her step and Harry
looked at her c%uriously. whats the
matter; tired?" he asked.
"A little" said Marion. Lets 90 out
on the balcony; it's SO cool and quiet
there
Suddenly the girl heard footsteps
coming toward her. The thought that
perhaps it was Harry com to find her
caused her to look up, and there stood
Phil. Marion sat very still, while her
heart licked off the seconds.
May | sit down." asked Phil. and
there was a tremble in his voice. AS
Marion did not speak, he pulled a chair
over and sat down beside her. Then
Phil SPOKE, hesitatingly. Marion" he
said, Il don't know as you've noticed
it, or cared, but l haven't beer around
as much lately"
mo" safd Marion, in q curious tone
less voice, you haven't"
well, you remember that last big
dance. They told me that you were en-
gagged to that fellow" Marion gave a
gasp. 1.-The same one you're with to-
night. At first l didn't believe it, and
well, it sure looked it, and now she
they say it was all a joke and he's
your cousin, and"-he turned a puz-
zled, hurt face to Marion-"what does
1t mean. anyhow"
"Then you're not engagedY' cried
Marion huskily, land you're not going
to marry Mabel Bradley?"
"What." exploded Phil. what do you
mean?"
why Doris said"
Phil gave q suppressed whistle. 1T
was Doris told mt about you" he cried.
Pills eyes fell, but his hands tight
ened their grasp on hers.
II was jealous and l just wanted to
show you ! didn't care" he mumbled
In q shamed voice; and then. raising
his head again. he looked straight into
| her ewes and said quietly: s.There