The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-02
N:zOnlle,; M0Forto|of'
y KUBYn AIRES q Sh:Esas

1usc' Nan. Even you cou'o ho' "
50 sclfish?' So.
. Mans eyes blazcd.. -,....
n"Then it is true" she said.
| "Truea-of course it's .rue-how
, do you imagine l can live on the
! few pounds I've managed to make
since this Internal war broke out?'
'Father!' said Nan.
off you were dutiful' girl you'd
| marry Seton and secure me-" he
| went on furiously. "But you never
| cared what became Of me or your
mother and brothers. as long AS you
were free to do as you liked and go
your own way. This is my one
chslncc-.it's moro than dared hope
for" 80 -
"And me! What about me and my
happiness" Nan asked. Her eyes
were cold'a as stone.
Nan turned and walked out Of the
room. ~
There we're some letters lying on
the hall table. One was for her
from Joan Endicott; she broke the
flap and drew out its contents.
Four pages Of the usual small,
supemluous chat, she supposed
YEARLY.
But today Joan seemed to have
struck deeper vein than usual;
there was very real anguish in
the first few words--the wonderful
Tim, it appeared. had gone back to
France-his leave was at an end,
and the world was desolatc in con-
sequence.
I'm all alone again, Nan-Tim
has gone, and feel as if my heart
will break. To have to stay in the
house where we have been so hap
py--without hm--to have nothing
to look forward to. ="
Nan crumplcd the letter angrily.
Nothing to look forward to!
when she had just lived through
perfect happiness! Nothing to look
forward to! - when she herself
would have sacrificed all the fu-
turc for just one day out Of the
happy past.
For two days Nan saw nothing
of Peter. John Arnott came over
once, but he seemed distract and
nervous; he had lost his usual
chccrincss.
During the short while he was in
the house he fidgcted about the
room good deal and talked jerk
lily; Nan was surprised to discover
that he rather bored her; she was
relieved when, he rose to go.
"Whcn shall see you again"
he asked. ...... .
Nan was family amazed.
"Whenever you like" she said.
"Come over when you like; l am al
ways glad to sec YOU 4
II wish I could believe that" he,
said bluntly. ..-
4 Elbow is Mr.. Lystcr?" Nan asked.
She felt that it was safeguard
to thrust Peters name between
them. .t... .,t
Arnott pulled his cap over his
eyes savagely. 49,.
"He hasn't been up to the mark
latcly,' he said. "Chap seems toi
be worrying about something"
p. Nan caught her breath.
orrying!' . ..
Eyes" Arnott did not look at
her. "lf | didn't know him so
we'll, should say he was worried
over business matters, but as it Isl
"You mean money! Nan asked.
He struggled his shoulders.
"Ivc always found him mostj
scrupulous; one Of the straightcst
chaps / know" He glanced down
at her. "But you don't want me to
tell you that he added.
'fNo" said Nan. II don't need
yon to tell me that" .'
They were walking slowly down
the garden. and Arnott suddenly
turned, looking at her with plead
ing eyes. '.' -'-'.
"Miss -Marraby-you-yo won't
think I'M an awful rotter if If Il
ask you at-a personal question"
"No-pleasc do" She thought
she knew what was coming. He ran
an agitatcd finger round his soft
collar. -.
cts about Lystcr.... You.
would it be possible for-for any
other fcllow-tos to-stand ghost
OF chance. Il mean-a ghost Of
chancc-with you?"
The words were incohcrcnt; his
face was fiery rcd long before he
had finished. -
"of course, know people don,
ever care twice in the same way--.
but. but If you r'et decent chap
IA chap who would 90 straight =
and-and be good to you--perhaps
-. in time - oh. 1 hope you
II don't mind you asking me-"
she said, frankly. Though l should
hate it from some people. And
don't mind telling you though there
is hardly anyone else in the world
would tclt--that I'm. afraid Pm
I'm one Of those poor creatures
who can't forget, 1--we never. cared
for anyone except Peter i'm all my
life. -" A little sigh shook her.