The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-12-05

feminine and indirect manner. 1t
was an unpleasant undertaking; she
took it UP with intense adherence;
it required her utmost determination
to carry it OH. Her plan had formed
itself Immediately she had learned
what had happened; her meeting
with the Count that evening and her
unexpected solicitudc, her unbidden
attention to his injury. were part
Of it. AS time went on she assumed
an air that amazed the man. She
mcckly accepted his reproaches, she
submitted to his abuse; cautiously,
patiently she paved the way to a re-
Cancellation.
!. 1t was by no means easy. for she
and Henri had long lived in what was
little better than a state Of open hos
tllity, and she had been at no pains
to conceal the utter disregard and
contempt she felt for him. He, Of.
course. had resented it; her change
of demeanor now awoke his suspi-
cion He was a vain and shallow
person, however; his conceit was
thoroughly Latin, and Hilda's per-
severance was in way rewarded.
Slowly. grudgingly lie gave ground
before her subtle advanccs-tley
were. i'll fact, less advances on her
part than opportunities for l,im--hc
experienced feeling Of triumph and
began to assume maSterful air that
was indeed irving to one of her dis
position. Before his friends he
boas:cd that his energetic defense OF
his honor lad worked 4 marvel i'll
his home; III her presence he made
| bold to take on 4 swagge- and an
authority hitherto unknown.
Hilda stood it. with what cost no
one could possibly understand. In
some manner she managed to con-
vey the idea that he dominated her
and that she cringed spiritually be-
fore him. She permitted him occa-
sionally to surprise look OF Devil
dermcnt, almost of fright, i'll her
eyes, and this ticklcd the man i'm
mensely. With a fatuous COM
placcncy, thoroughly typical. lie told
himself that she feared and respect
cd him--was actually falling in love
with him all over again. When he
fclt the impulse to scout this idea
he went to his mirror and examined
himself critically. Why not? he
asked himself. He was very pleas
ing Women had always been wax
in his hands: lie had 4 personality.
al ali, an irresistible something that
had won him many conQucsts. II
seemed not unlikely that Hilda had
been shocked into new and keener
realization Of his many admirable
qualities and was ready TO make UP,
iif, or. when, he graciously chose to
. permit her.
y On the very evening that Coloncl
Cavendish and his wife were discus
sing Pierce Phillips affair. Courteau
feeling in 4 particularly jubilarl
moods decided to put the matter to 4
test; therefore he surprised his wife
by walking into her room imam
! nounced.
MY DEAR he began, cts higl
! time we had a talk"
Indeed" said she. what about?'
About you. about me, about on,
, affairs. Are we husband and wife o,
e are we not? l ask you"
With queer flicker of her eye
lids she answered: "Why-o1
l course. You have appeared to for
:. get it sometimes, but"
, mo reproaches, please. The pas
1 is gone. Neither of us is withou
c blame. You've had your fling, too
I but I've shown you that I'm made
of stern stuff and will tolerate III
c further foolishness. / am diffcren
: Courteau than you ever knew. w
t had my rebirth. Now then, our pre-
cnt mode Of life is not pleasing t,
: me, for I'm a fellow Of spiri,
: Think of me-in the attitude of ;
y DEPENDENT"
Il share generously with YOU.
give You money" -
"The very point" he broke in, ex
n tcitedly. you give; accept. 10,
direct; l obey. 1t must end now
!. a. once. cannot play the accom-
: panimcnt while you sing. Either
e close my eyes to your folly and for
d give, utterly-either we become MAJ
: and wife again and assume leader
$ ship-or l make different plans TO
I. the, future"
0 ,...Iust what do you propose
! THE fellow shrugged. II offer 70,
c RECONCILIATION; that, to begin with
e You've had your lesson and iiattc
It myself that you see me in q ne,
I, light. The brave can, afford to b
p generous. well, I've always lla
( a feeling for you; I've never bee
n blind to your attractions, my deal
o Lately I've even. experienced some
: thing of the-er--thc old spell. I'm
dcrstand me? lisa fact. I'm &C
S tually taken with YOU, Hilda;
l. have the fire Of all impetuous lover.
e Courteai's eyes cleaned; there wa
an unusual warmth to his gaze an
c vibrance to his tone. He ;curle
8 his mustachc. he swclled his ches
n he laughed lightly but deeply. "Wha
a do you say, en-? I'm not altogethc
6 displeasing. No? You see some
e.. thing in me to admire? I thrill you
d Confess"
lie The wife lowered her eyes. "Yo
!. :. have some power" she murn,ures
)" Power! Precisely" The Coun
0. nodded and there, was a CROWN
t. vivacity and sparkle to him. 9TH;
d is my q,lality-a power to charm,
d power to achieve power to triumph
Well, ] choose now to win yo,, agai
d for myself. It lis my within. To re
p kndle love which one has lost
test of any mans power, p'est-e
j. ros9 You are fond of me- 1ssee
& Am / not right; my sweet ?"l
h He laid his soft white hands upo
IN his wifc's shoulders and bent an Al
q dent gaze upon her. Hilda faced liii
+. with an odd smile: her checks wel
le white. her ice:blue eyes were VET
~ 49, " a.a} - ~
traseg prohibited Hc.e,k keepers fro