The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-06
THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE
M1EorQof
2, RUBY n AYRES - SShjra.

something pathetic in her whole APP
pearance, and unconSclously has
expression sOftened.
Are you going to marry me,
Nan?' he asked, gently.
There was little pause.
Eyes, if you like" she said; and
added, THANK YOU" as if it were
an after-thought.
He did not attempt to touch her.
He gave sigh Of relief, as it this
were more than he had expected.
81 am man Of my word ne
said. "Tomorrow ! will take you
to see my solicitors. l will hand
you over all your fathers lOu's and
-Lyster's--On our wedding day.
Nan did not move.
"You told me you would give the m
to me if would be engaged to
you" she said.
He laughed.
"Are you trying to drive bar
gain with me?" he asked. Every
we'll, you shall have your fathers
tomorrow, and Lyster's-the day
you marry me"
There was note of determina-
ton in his voice, and Nan realized
that this was the best she could
hope for
twisting her hat. And when shall
we be married." she asked.
There vast no emotion in her
voice; she did not care in the least
how soon she was married.
His face flushed.
"You are putting everything on a
very mundane footing" he said un-
comfortably. "You talk as if it
were just a business arrangement"
"As it is-tO me- she answered.
"And there is another thing-the
boys III can't leave them, Of
course
He frowned.
"We can make some arrangement
for Them he said quickly. "The
two older ones can go to board
ing school-but suppose the young
est is not old enough"
Nan cried out Indignantly.
Claude! Oh, can't part from
Claude"
: ~ haven't asked yon to part from
him." he answered. "Some arrange
ment can be made. hear your
father is away"
yes; ! don't know when he will
be back"
He half smiled.
"He, at least, will be pleased"
eyes," said Nan. II told him be-
fore he went away that you had
asked me to marry you"
He looked amazed.
you're cool hand" he said, in
faint Amusement.
"If that's all you've got to say"
she began.
but it isn't" He came closer.
"Nan, I've brought you ring-at
least, I've brought several for you
to choose from"
He took some little cases from his
pocket and put them down on the
table.
Nan made no attempt to open
them.
He waited moment.
"Not Interested" he asked. He
opened the snap Of one case and
showed her magnificent half-hoop
OF diamonds. "Most women would
go made with delight over that" he
said, with satisfaction.
Il don't care for diamonds" said
Nan.
She was wandering what she would
do with Peters ring. Il wish you
would choose" she said again. Il
would much rather you choose"
He gave little exclamation of
what has happened to you?" he
asked. you seem to have lost all
your spirit"
r He caught her hand as she would
have turned away.
"Don't you care hang for me-
Nan?" he asked roughly.
Her blue eyes met his; she gave a
little SILVER.
"No," she said. "You know ]
don't" She tried to free herself
There isn't any need to pretend, is
there" she asked. "You don't care
About me either, know"
why do you think want you
them"
She shook her head.
II don't w-because you
thought should be hard to get
perhaps; some men are like that.
"Fm fond of you," he told hel
roughly. Il swear that I'm fonC
Of you've never cared for any
one else in all my life"
II have said Nan. with queer
little laugh.
He flung away from her impa
tiently.
"It's that internal fellow Lyster
...,. Why can't you forget him?
should have thought you would have
more pride than to 60 crying for :
man who has treated you as he has
Make up your mind to forget him.
IF l hadn't" said Nan quietly
81 shouldn't have said would mar
ny you, and now if you've quit.
done with me l should like to g,
and put the boys to bed"
"You think more of those littL
devils than you do of me-" he sal,
jealousy.
She. stood waiting with a sort O
weary resignation; he had bee,
! right when he said that she SCENE,
to have lost all her spirit; nothing
he could say now seemed to hav
the. power to rouse her.
He swept the little ring case
back into his pocket.
'I'm going" he said roughly.
| But he came back almost at once
he looked at her with a sort O
angry abaseinent.
ard do anything for you, Nan
anything" he said.
He did not wait for her answer
and in another moment she hear
the front door bang behind him.
Ito Be Continued)