Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-08-15

laAs1Vo " LAC OtAeF~S presence.
Her sayety and piquancy had given
the burden of conversation fall upon
her. He knew that he had come to
his hour OF hours and his soul wal
wrapped in gravity.
She, too, sensed what was coming,
and the sex instinct in her vas on
tiptoe in flight. She was throbbing
with excitement. Her whole being
her. Yet she lodged for a wav Of
escape. Silences were too significant,
too full-pulsed. She made herself
talk. It dig not much matter about
what.
Why didn'tsyou tell us that it was
Mr.. Bromfield who struck down that
man Collins? Why did you let US
well, folks in New York don't
know me. What vas the use of get,
tin him In bad?
"Yod know that wasn't the reason.
y l it because" She stopped in
the midst of the sentence. 1t had
occurred to her that this subject was
more dangerous wen than silence.
Il did it because he was the man
you were goin' to marry" he said.
the shadows. In the faint light he
could make out the fine line of her
exquisite throat. After q moment she
spoke You're a good friend, Clay.
1t was a big thing to do. Idon't know
anybody else except Dad that would
have done it for me-"
You don't know anybody else that
loves you as much as I do "
1t was out at last. quietly and with
out any dramatics. A fash of soft
eyes darted at him. then yelled the
shining tenderness beneath long
lashes.
I've had an attack of common
sense" he went On. and in his voice
was a strength both audacious and
patient. II thought at first l couldn't
hope to win you because Of your for
Even When I knew you liked me l
felt it wouldn't be fair for me to ask
you. couldn't offer you the ad-
vantages you'd had Blu I've changed
my mind. I've been watching what
money does to yore friends 1t makes,
them soft. They 1utter around like
butterflies. They're paupers-a good
many of them-because they don't pay
their a A mans a tramp if he
doesn't saw wood for his breakfast.
| don't want o to get like that, and
If you stay here long enough you sure
will. It's in my heart that if you'll
come with me we'll live"
In the darkness she made a rustling
movement toward him. A little sob
welled up in her throat as her hands
lifted to him. "Oh, Clay! I've fought
love you. Oh. 1 do love you!"
He took her lissom young body in
his~arms. Her lips lifted to his.
Presently they walked forward
slowly. Clay had never seen her
more lively and radiant, though tears
still chung to the outskirts of her joy.
We're going to live-oh, every
hour" she cried to the stars, her
lovers hand in hers.
Johnnie felt that Kitty's farewell
dinner had gone very we'll. 1t was
her first essay as a hostess, and all
OF them had enjoyed themselves. But,
so far as he could see. it had not
achieved the results for which they
had beer hoping.
Clay came home late and next
morning was full Of plans about leav-
ing.
Two more days and we'll hit the
trail for good old Tucson" he said
cheerfully.
"W'betcha, by jollies," agreed his
bandy-legged shadow.
None the less johnnie was dis
- l. 'CiCNCu liza HIS III lCllO
was ~concealing an aching heart be-
meath all this attention to impending
details. AS a benedict he considered
it his duty to help the rest Of the
world bet married too. A bachelor
was a boob. He didn't knew what was
best for him. Same way with a girl.
Clay was fond of Miss Beatrice, and
she thought a heap Of him. You
couldn't fool Johnnie. No. STREE!
Well, then?
incoming on the sad plight Of these
two friends who were toe coy or too
perverse to know what was best for
them, Johnnie suddenly slapped him
self a whack on the thigh. A bril-
liant; idea had flashed into his era
mum. 1t proceeded to grow until he
was like to burst with it.
When Lindsay rose from breakfast.
he was mysteriously beckoned into
another room. Johnnie outlined
sketchily and with a good deal Of
hesitation what ne had in mind. Clay's
eyes danced with the spark of mis-
chief his friends had learned to rec
ognize as a danger signal.
You're some ~sure-enough wizard,
Johnnie" he admitted. IT expect
you're right about girls Tot KNOWN
experience with women than I have.
If you say the proper thing to do is
to abduct Miss whitford and take
her with US. why"
"Onct in a while you got to play
like you're gonna treat 'em rough"
said Mr. Green sagely, blushing a
tri1e nevertheless
AN right: I'll let you engineer this
II l can make up my mind to it after
I've filled it over. I can see you
know what you're doin'." .
h conspirators arranged details.
Johnnie was the brains of the kid
mapping. Clay bought the tickets and
was to take charge Of the prisoner
after the train was reached. They
decided it would be BEST to get a state
room for the girl.
can for her." said Johnnie. 90 course
It's all for her own good, but we don't
figure to treat her noways but like
the princess she is."
Yes" agreed Clay humbly.
According to program. carefully ar
ranged by Johnnie, Beatrice rode
down to the train with him and Kitty
In their taxicab. She went on board
for the final goodby and chatted with
them in their section.
h chief conspirator was az easv
as a toad in a hot skillet. Now that
It a come down to the actual busi-
ness OF taking this young woman with
them against her will. he began 10
weaken. His heart acted very strange
Ny. but he had to go through with it
.C-can, 1 see, o a minute in the
next car, Miss Beatrice?" he asked.
his voice q~uavering.
Miss Whitford lifted her eyebrow.
but otherwise expressed no surprise.
Certainly. Johnnie"
He led the way down the aisle into
the next sleeper and stopped at one