The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-29
THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE.
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tea" ; - -a,.
cts all soaked in" Jim said as
Nan arrived. U.s.. .,s.
SOAKED in," Claude echoed.
Nan went down on her knees; she
mopped the little pool up vigorously.
ut won't show at all" she said
bfeathlessly. "How clumsy Of me!
It's good thing it wasn't one of
you boys.P she added, with pretended
severity. 49,,
She hoped desperately that Peter
had forgotten his question:; she sug-
&c sted walk in the garden. She
unbolted the long French window
and went out on to the grass with
Doris Mears.
II hope you will come and see me,
Miss Marraby," Doris said. II live
very quietly lost my husband two
years ago, you know"
"Yes," said Nan, "Mr. Arnott told
mel am so sorry"
ut was dreadful at first" Mrs.
Mears said, with sigh. II thought
I couldn't go on living at all--but--
well. have, you see. l try to DO
what can to help others :" She
raised her dark eyes to Nan with
disconcelting suddenness. Are you
engaged" she asked.
Nan was looking straight ahead Of
her.
II was" she said, steadily. But
II is at an end now"
'And was he in the war, too?"
Mrs. Mears asked.
"Yes," said Nan. ..N
There was little silence.
"He was not-killed?" the elder
girl asked. again. ~
"No."
Mrs. Mears touched the little mill
farv ribbon Nan still wore.
81 thought, perhaps-as you are
wearing this" she said, deprecating-
"Most of US wear some ribbon or
an other, don't we?" said Nan.
She tried to smile. "ln London
the other day saw an old woman in
bus with three different badges on
her coat--she was so proud of them
she told me that she had three
sons serving in the army"
Mrs. Mears laughed.
"How Quaint!"
There was touch of artificiality
in her voice which Nan resented;
she stopped and looked back at the
others.
Mrs. Mears stopped, too.
"It's very sad about MIR. Lyster,
don't you Think" she, asked.
~ shall miss him dreadfully when
he goes away" Mrs. Mears went on.
HE has been so kind to me-" She
broke off as the two men and the
boys came up. She moved away
from Nan and went over to Peter.
"You mustn't Overture yourself
she said playfully. II really think
we ought to be taking you home.
What do you think, John?'
Arnott had just returned from a
race across the grass. He carried
Claudio on his back and he was red
in the face from his exertions.
"Don't CO." came in chorus from
the three. "Oh, don't CO."
'I'm in no hurry" Peter said
quickly. He looked at Nan. "Mrs.
Mears will persist in making an in
valid Of me-" he said.
There was a trace Of annoyance in
his voice. Nan remembered how he
had always hated fuss. ;,
She moved on, and Peter walked
beside her.
"Who is the Miss Lyster you spoke
Of at tea time ?" he asked suddenly.
Nan colored.
"Oh, It's only somebody used to
know d along while ago." she said
evasively. "It's not very uncom-
mon name, you know"
He kept his eyes downbent mood
lily
II thought perhaps it might have
been someone ought to have
known he said. ~ suppose have
some relations somewhere or other
He looked at her suddenly.
Are you feeling happier today?
he asked, abruptly.
Nan flushed scarlet.
II don't want to he reminded OF
last night" she said, vehemently. 81
made an utter and complete fool OF
myself. Please. try and forget it."
There was little silence.
do you often walk in the wood p
he asked.
"Sometimes-I haven't much time.
And. do you like Mrs. Mears 2
Peter asked then.
Nan hes STATED.
well, l can hardly say--I've never
seen her before, you know. She's
pretty, isn't she?" She longed fol
him to disagree with her.
Peter glanced ACROSS to where Mrs
Mears was talking to, her brother.
Eyes; suppose one would call hel
pretty" he said, at last. "She i:
small and dainty"
"And men always like small ant
dainty women" Nan said. She hatet
herself for having said it, but sht
could not help it,
| ..:Do tHey?" Lyster asked.
Nan went with them to the gate
The car was drawn up at the road
l!side, and. the chauffeur was hall
| asleep in his seat.
"She must have. plenty Of money,
Nan thought with a. pang.
"And you'll come over and see US !?
Mrs. Mears was asking her. +"
should love You to see my boy. Johl
must drive over one day and fetcl
you. Will you. John p
John would be-. delighted, he said
Which day should he come? An,
day would suit him.
~ think we had. better leave ]
for little while" Nan, answered. {"
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