The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-19
M2Eor8o:'f!:;
By RUBYM AYRES - Sh;aae

brothers ?" he said.
ayes"
"Perhaps you will allow me to take
them out in my car sometimes, ne
suggested. II have a great deal of
time on my hands and | am very
fond of children"
Nan did not believe it. but she
thanked him and said that it was a
kind suggestion. =.
What you have just told me Of
yourself and Lyster," the man OPP
posite her was saying casually, re.
minds me Of case which | heard
about last night. The man was a
friend Of mine, too, strangely
enough, and he rushed into marriage
just before going to France. quite
a nice little girl he married. He'd
only known her few days-one of
those war weddings. you know. l be-
lieve she was genuinely fond OF him,
but he"--he shrugged his shoulders
The was the sort OF man to be tax
en- by any pretty face Anyway,
his wife found out the other day
quite by chance-that he had come
home on leave and never let her
know. She went to see him, OF
course, and the fellow had the au-
dacity to pretend that he didn't know
her"
Mans cheeks famed. She forced
herself to composure
And you are comparing myself
and Mr.. Lyster to-this melodra-
matte pair?" she asked lightly.
Not in the least, | assure yOu,'
he answered. ut was the mere fact
Of your having broken your engage
H. 4 L. -,
mind"
Nan kept her eyes fixed on his
face.
"And-and the girl you spoke Of
just now" she asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. poor
little thing-one cannot but feel
sorry for her, but for the man,
though he is friend Of mine, it
seemed rather a low-down game to
play"
"You mean?" she asked. with an
effort
II mean, to pretend that he had
lost his memory and did not know
Nan caught her breath. Lost his
memory" she echoed.
THAT is what he pretended, and,
Of course"-Sefton laughed callously
81 need not say that there was an
other woman in the case all the
time
Nan felt as if her body had grown
suddenly cold. She leaned back in
the corner with a feeling of dreadful
weakness.
Another woman! But but,
oh, how could he!" .
Seton looked at her with a faint
smile. 81 have learned never to be
surprised at anything that happens
nowadays he said, cynically. He
let the window down with rum, II
think we must be near Little Gads-
den now. How are you going to get
out to Leavenden?" -.
"There will be a trap of some sort"
Nan answered. "And if not shall
leave my bag at the station and
walk" 49, .",'
"My car will meet me-" he told
her. 81 shall be delighted to drive
you out if ! may" - q. ~
Nan wanted to refuse, but she
thought it would seem absurd. cts
very kind of you," she said.
The train ran into the station and
Seton opened the door. A liveried
| man came forward to meet him and
! took his suitcase. Seton indicated
Mans modest bag on the rack.
! II am going over TO Leavenden
first" he said. He and Nan walked
out Of the station together.
As they bowled along the lanes in
Sefton's car she caught little
glimpses of yellow primroses in the
woods, and now and then the faint,
elusive scent of wood violets.
II need not tell you that there was
another woman in the case all the
time :" The words haunted her.
| There was something parallel be-
tween her own story and the one of
which he had spoken. That other
man had just pretended to have lost
his memory, whilst Peter , she
closed her eyes for moment, and
thought Of Peter LISTERS worn face
as she had seen it only that morn
ing; the tired look in his eyes, the
absent-minded Indifferent way in
which he had seemed to regard
everything, and she knew it was i'm
possible to doubt him.
IF you will ask your man just to
put me down here" Nan said, 81
can walk the rest of the way; the
house is quite close now"
! Seton spoke to the driver, and the
car was stopped.
j Nan got out; she, grabbed her
small suitcase hurriedly. She did no,
want this man to 60 up to the hous
with her; she held out her hand
"Goodby, and thank you so much >
mot 'gooby'," he answered, quick.
ly Il hope this is only the first Of
many such meetings"
4 She did not know what to answer.
And Miss Marraby, if ever you
want friend, l hope you will re-
member me-"
i Mans color deepened. "You are
very kind, but-but I'm very indie
;. pendent person. l don't think it's a
all likely-thank you. all the same. ,
!, But he would not take the rebuff
he only smiled. II hope you will re
member" he said again.
J He stood looking after Nan as sh,
: ran down the lane that led up to tn,
. house.
Ito Be COntinued)