The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-09-26
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., RUBY II AYRES y S &as!sra.
'No-no," said Nan, quickly.

"No-no,' said Nan, quickly.
"Then l can go on with what
was going to say-which IS that l am
sure if could choose my friends
J over again he would not be amongst
| them. He tells me that we were
once great pals he gave a little
ehagrined laugh. ut takes some be-
! lieving."
Nan could not answer; in her heart
she was asking herself a desolate
question
"Then what of me? What of me?
what would you feel about me if
told you-if you knew"
She stopped.
II ought to be going back-it must
be getting late"
Lyster turned at once.
II suppose l ought to be going
home, too," he said. reluctantly. ITS
three-mile walk to Gadsden, isn't
it,"
"And do you like being there"
Nan asked him, jealohsly. "Is Mr..
Arnott's sister nice?'
"She's delightful woman" Peter
said quickly.
"Mr. Arnott said he would bring
her to CALL" said Nan. -.
"I'm sure you will like her; she
has been kindness itself to me-
"Yes," said Nan, DULY.
II shan't like her, l shall hate
her." she was thinking in her heart.
They had come to an open space
where the trees had been cleared.
Nan stole glance at Peter--he was
looking at her, too.
II notice you are wearing the
badge Of my regiment" he said sud
denly; he touched the little enameled
bow on her blouse.
"Yes-it was given to me-by
somebody" she said in a panic.
She put up her hand to the little
ornament with sudden nervous ges-
ture.
"Arnott's sister lost her husband
in France" Lyster said presently.
"Yes," said Nan; her cheeks
burned. "And l lost my lover there"
she said.
The words seemed forced from
her: she tried to cover the tragedy
in her voice. She knew that Lyster
looked at her quickly, and when he
spoke his voice was singularly gen
tie. "Arnott did not tell me-" he said.
Il never speak about it," Nan said
hurriedly. 81 just go on and try to
forget-always to forget ="
cts the women who suffer in this
war;" Lyster said modify. For us
well, at least we have the excite
ment and the risk--and always some
thing new-something different-but
for the women who stay at home
] think it is they who are the brave
ones, Miss Marraby"
Nan tried to laugh.
"a hnv ~ oil
ards as l was just now" she said.
shakily. "And l hope you won't tell
anybody that l cried and made such
an idiot Of myself :"
"Ive never done such a thing be-
FORE" she rushed on. Il don't know
what came over me. It's merciful
thing you turned up and brought me
to my senses, OR l might have wan
dered on for the rest of my life, like
Melisande in the wood :"
She was purposely talking flippant
ly, and Lyster seemed to understand
her mood.
They were at the stle now
perhaps you'll come to tea one
day." Nan said, trying to make her
voice casual. 1--WE only have school
room tea and thick bread and butter,
!; but III cut some thin for you-if
you'll Gomez"
II like it thick" he answered,
laughing. "Save the top crust for
me. Miss Marraby, and III promise
to come-let me help you"
Nan had deliberately pretended she
could not mount the stile; she longed
to feel his hands on hers again-she
fel that she must snatch greedily at
every moment with him.
Lyster vaulted the stile easily and
turned to help her.
Ito Be COntinued)