The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-09
TIE BISMARCK TRIBUNE
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1y RUBY n AYRES ~ $500 !:gt

go On~-tell ne all ABOUT IL. -.
There isn't much to tell -. it
was after you were wounded. Nan
had beer. SO patient and plucky--
they told her she mustn't expect
any letters from you as you wore
not we'll enough to write; and she
said she didn't mind, that she was
content TO wait. And then one
evening Mr.. Arnott came to the flat
neither of Us knew him, but Nan
had had letter from him once
from France wrote to her when
YOU we're wounded and told her all
about it..... He was very kind
he told her that you were in town.
but that you had lost your memory,
and could not remember her, or
ANYTHING about hero" that you
were engaged, or - Or anything.
Nan wouldn't believe itSshc laugh
cd ut him; she said that she was
sure that. YOU could never forget
her. She went with him, back to
the hotel where you were staying;
she said she must, see you for her
scli-shc said that she vas sure
when you saw her it would be all
right. ...' She stopped with sud
den tragic memory Of how Nan had
looked that night when she came
back.
"Ycs--go on, please
. "Shc wasn't gone very long, Joan
said sorrowfully. "She came back
quite soon. She didn't say much,
but just knew by her face that
nothing would ever be right again.
She told me afterwards that she
walked into the room where you
were and that you didn't know her,
that you looked At her us if you
had never seen her in all Your life
bcforc... On, poor, poor Mani"
she added.
There was Il bitter silence.
:"And / think that's ALL" she said.
"Her stcpmothcr died the day after,
I,think it was, and she had to go
home to look after the little boys
ut Lavender, and she's been there
ever since"
l"And and 49,. she never wished
me to be tod'? Peter asked
huskily.
"She wouldn't Near of it. know
Mr.. Arnott wanted to tell you, but
Nan said she would never forgive
him if he did. She made US all
PROMISE
Peter looked up.
"Do you know that she is engaged
to another man now" he asked
suddenly.
Joan stared: then she laughed.
"Nan engaged to another man!
Rubbish" she said "Why- why,
she was ever so much too fond Of
you to ever look at anyone else.
She just lived for the time when
you would come back. She had
made all her clothes to be married
in. She was so happy. Why, you
were to have been married when
you got your next lcavc!" she add
ed thoughtlessly.
Peter flushed to the roots of his
hair. 1t was an intOlcrablc situa-
ton.
"Shc is engaged to another man,
all the same" he said constrained
ly. "A man named Harley Seton.
He has plenty Of money and fine
place down at Gadsdcn."
Joan smiled incredulously.
"Somcbody has just made it up
and told you," she said, Scornfully.
"Nan would never do such thing,
l know"
He sat staring down at the dusty
floor Of the carriage; Joan watch
cd nm intcntly.
She was not quite sure of him
yet: it all seemed strange and I'M
bclicvab|c to her.
Suddenly she moved Il little alon.
the scat towards him.
What are YOU going TO doc" she
asked. gently. "What do you want
me to dO?'
lie raised his unhappy eyes to
hers.
What can do?" he asked. cts
I'll so impossible"
Joan considered for moment.
II should like to help you," she
said, frankly. 81 should like to
help Nan. too--if there is anything
] can do-anything-I will, l prom
Use YOU"
Thank you'll am sure you will.
And there is something -wiIl YOU
find out why she is going to mar
~ that fellow Scfton?'
IF | ,can---and If YOU are sur"
that she is. But Nan is SO reserved
when she wants to be; perhaps she
may | ask you question 2"
Her VOICE was a little shy and
uncertain. :~.'' ..'... NJ"
Please" said Peter.
"Well-perhaps l shouldn't ask
bnt, Nan is my best friend-and SO
-. you sec what mean is -
surprising shc---shc was free today,
would you: 80. would you.... would
you ;" she broke Off. not liking
t" continue, bu: her meaning was
obvious.
Peter did not lool up.
! (TO lie Continued