The Bismarck tribune., 1925-11-06

| ~ ~1m
It was out; he realized in 4 panic
that his whole secret was hers.
He shook his head. Il. .~
Lucky for you; it would be a
mans undoing. Tell me, what am
II What do you make Of me2"
While the young man felt for an
answer she ran on: I'D like to
know. What sort of woman do you
consider me? How have I inn
pressed you? Speak plainly-no
sentiment. You're a clcan-minded.
unsopl,isticated boy. I'm curious to
hear"
II can't speak like boy" he said.
gravely, but with more than hint
OF resentment in his tone, "for-I'm
not boy. Not any longer"
ooh yes, you are! You're fresh
and wholesome and honorable and
- Well, only boys are that. What
do | seem, to you!"
you're chameleon. There's no.
body in the world quite like you.
Why, at this minute you're different
even to yourself. You-take my
breath"
DO you consider me harsh, mas
culinc-?"
"Oh mol"
"lm glad of that. I'm not, really.
I've had hard experience and my
eyes were opened early. l know poy-
erty, disappointment, misery, every
thing unpleasant, But I'm smart and
know how to get ahead. I've
never stood still. I've learned how
to fight, too, for I've had to make
my own way. Why, Pierce, you're
the one man who ever did me an
unsclhsh favor or real, disinter-
cstcd courtesy. DO you wonder that
l want TO know what kind Of a crea-
ture you consider me?"
Perhaps l am not altogether un-
selfish" lie told her. sullenly.
ut is hard work fighting men,
and women, too-and I'm awfuliy
q tired. Tired inside. you understand
;: One gets tired fighting alone-al-
q ways alone. One has dreams Of
t well, dreams. It's pity they never
: come true"
: "What arc some Of them?" he in
= quired.
The woman. still under the spell
OF her hour. made as If to answer
:, then she stirred and raised her head.
This isn't safe night to talk about
{ them. l think l shall go to bed"
y She extended her hand to Phillips,
: but instead of taking it he reached
forth and lifted her bodily down out
y of the wind. She gaspcd as she felt
his strong hands under her arms;
for moment her face brushed his
and her fragrant breath, was warh,
against his check. Phillips lowered
her gently, slowly, until her feet
: were OH the ground, but even the,,
= his grasp fingered and he held her
7; close to him.
They stood breast to breast for a
woment and Pierce saw that in this
L womans expression was neither fear
nor resentment, but some strange
= emotion newborn of the night--a,,
n emotion which his act had started
{ into life and which as yet she did
; not fully, understand. Her eyes
Il were wide and wondering; they re-
) manned fixed upon his, and that
|. very tixity suggested meaning so
" surprising. so significant, that he
felt the world spin dizzily under
: him: She was astonished, yet ex-
: pectant; she was stunned but ready.
He experienced a.. fierce desire to
hold her closer, closer. to crush her
7 in his arms. and although she re-
! sisted family, unconsciQusly she
I yielded: her inner being answered
his without reserve. She did not
turn her face away when his came
closer, even when his lips covered
!. hers. :1
After long moment she surrcn-
dered wholly, She sndggled closer
: and bowed her head upon his slloul-
. . der. Her cheek against his was
very cold from the wind and Pierce
discovered that it was wet with
,. tears.
= 1T has been long fight she
' sighed, in a voice that he could
scarcely hear. IL didn't. know how
: tired l was" =
Phillips groped for words, but he
: could find nothing to say, his or
: dered thoughts having fled before
this sudden gust OF ardor as leaves
= are whirled away before tempest.
!. All he knew was that in his arms
;. lay woman he had knelt to, a wor-
> shipiul goddess of snow and gold
7 before whom he, had abased himself,
: but who had turned to flesh at his
first touch. y
6 He kissed her again and again,
: warmly, tenderly, and yet with, 4
:, ruthless fervor that grew after cact,
: caress. and she submitted passively,
9 9 the while those tears stole down.
;. her cheeks. In reality she was
+ neither passive nor passionless. for
y her body quivered and Phillips
knew that his touch had set her
: ahre; but t-rather she seemed to be
: exhausted and at the same time en-
= thralled as by come. dream from
= which she was loath to rouse her
: self. 4
ITO be continued)