The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-10
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today. We are-we are quite good
friends" she added.
~ am engaged to man named
Harley Sefton," she went on, after
!, moment. He isn't younger
good looking but he's rich. and
he's given me a diamond ring that
must have cost hundreds Of pounds,
! should think"
She spoke with a sort Of monot-
ony.
world Of reproach and sorrow in
her voice.
II never thought you would mar
~ anyone for money" she added.
"I'm not" said Nan sharply. AT
least" She pulled herself up
quickly and tried to laugh. Don't
let's talk about it any more. You'll
see him for yourself soon. He
haunts the house from morning till
night" she added.
~And-and Peter Lyster?" Joan
asked timidly.
Nan looked away.
"Oh, he used to come round some
times. The. boys love him."
And so do you, my poor SOUL
Joan thought pityingly.
IL was nOL uUtub tHfy "tut W Deu
and Nan came to Joan's room for
a few moments that Nan herself
preached the subject.
II suppose you've been thinking
what a heartless brute am" she
~ mean about being engaged.
member the way we used to argue
about what we would do Tiff any
thing happened to Tim-or-or
Peter"
Joan shivered
cts unlucky to talk about it,"
she said.
Nan made an impatient gesture.
Nothing can change my luck
now" she said. but we won't talk
about it unless YOU wish. l just
wanted to say that--that it's not
because l've-forgotten that Pm
marrying Mr.. Seton. | shall never
forget as long as l live
Her cheeks were fiery, her eyes
burned.
ut wasn't any use waitine-and
struggling on--and hoping" she
said in stranaled voice. after
after I'd seen Peter down here
once or twice knew it was all up.
Besides. 1865" She stopped. and
there was a lon" silence which Joan
did not dare to break.
- Nan went on:
-. "Then Mr.. Seton came. He's
rich. and father owes him monoy.
I'm only telling you this. Joan. be-
cause you are my friend. and !
know you'll never tell anyone. And
so. as II knew ! couldn't be happy
any more, thought might as well
do the best | could do for-for the
family. - She laughed drearily.
There are the boys to think OF,
you see," she added. "Apd love
them. especially Claudio 49,"
"Is Claude the little one?' Joan
asked helplessly. =.
ayes -. . and so-that's why. l
had to tell you; but you won't tell
ANYONE will vous. ,JOan-promise.'
a. "You know won't" joan said.
She. got up. stood on tip-toe, and
kissed Nan more warmly than she
had ever done before. "YOu're Il
brave darling. she said shakily.
'.I'm not brave ut all" Nan said,
'if you only knew. Good-n night 49,.
I'm glad you came" she added.
The boys made friends with Joan
very quickly.
How long are you going to stay?'
they asked in chorus when she
appeared at breakfast.
Joan laughed:
Pm not going to stay at all--at
least. T. don't think so-Nan has
enough to do to look. after you with
out me as WE'LL"
They did not agree with this, and
she received prompt invitations to
stav az long as she liked.
well take you in the woods"
Jim promised.
"And find you birds eggs" Bus
ter added. -.
"Mr. LISTERS gone away" said
Nan quietly.
"No, he hasn't" shriiled Buster
again. II saw him this morning
before breakfast--he came down the
road when I was out in the garden
he said held meet Us in the woods
when we'd had our breakfast"
: Joan looked quickly at Nan.
II think you've made mistake"
Nan said evenly. 1--WE saw" him
driving to the station Yesterday with
Mr.. Arnott, you know"
"He's come back" Buster insist
ed. II saw him."
Nan. changed the subject hur-
riedly.
Later, Joan followed the boys out
into the garden. The weather had
taken a turn for the better-it was
as warm and sunny as May morn
ing. She shifted the country air
delicfousiy as she went
where are you boys going ?" she
asked.
ITO find Mr.. Lyster." came back
to her in a chorus. "You can come
too. il yen like"
Joan hesitated-she looked back
at the house. Nan had come to the
door and was calling to her.
I'm coming-in a minute" Joan
caught hold of Claudio and de-
tanned him.
"Can you keep q secret" she
asked. in q whisper. Claudie's eyes
shone. .r.
" "Yes," he. said, with an emphatic
nod. s,# 81!
Joan produced a. letter from her
pocket--she folded it. and crushed
it into his fat little hand.