The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-05-17

n0thing--n Othl ng-l wonder"
She loved Douglas Keith. She ad-
mitted it to herself with a boundless
unrestraint that was both ecstasy
and pain.
All morning she thought of him.
She was so glad it was a Saturday
so glad when the other girls in the
office began leaving. She was in no
hurry to return to the commonplace
flat in Fulton street-home, where
she was cherished, of course, but
taken for granted; expected always
to "act like sensible person and be
thankful she had good health and
the use of all her limbs" This was
one Of Mrs. Moore's formulas for
keeping her childrens feet firmly on
the ground.
Judith hated the violent way her
mother and sisters had Of flouncing
J on her thoughts with an irritated:
what in the world are you moon
ing about! Why don't you get up
and do something! d.n't know
how you can sit there so idle!" As
though mere motion were the most
laudable thing in the world.
1t was pure luxury to loiter undis-
| turbed in the deserted office. Judith
drew the black, oil cloth cover over
her typewriter-absently, lost in a
great sweetness.
! The door opened, a voice laughed.
a little gust of perfume fluttered in
| Judith's face. She blinked as one
rudely and unwillingly awakened.
| Then she jumped up with a
bound of joy. mumblcd glowingly
"Sandy! OF all things!"
A tall, lightsome girl caught
Judith's hands. She filled the room
with vividness; with charm as
though the sun had como sup un-
expectctilye or, sohg trittcd.t She
talked 'gaily ~withs little throaty
laughs, stopping three or four times
to kiss Judith's flushed checks,
She was Sandy Mcneil, Judith's
cousin, the most captivating person
Judith knew. Everything that was
romantic or unusual. she coupled
with Sandy.
! Judiths mother was Mcneil.
From infancy Evelyn Moore's chill
dren perceived that this twas an
honor--a kind of kingly privilege.
They were aware that Evelyn Nc
Neil had stepped down woefully
when she married their father. Mrs.
I Moore never allowed the self-effacing
husband TO forget that she had "given
iup everything a complete sacri-
flee Of her life" to become his wife.
The greatest compliment she ever
paid her daughters was to say:
"You're a McNeil!" In the same
way she charged to the fathers herit-
age all the unpleasant traits that
cropped out in her children. Mrs.
Moore, was a colorful, domineering
woman. Her children resented her
tyrannies, yet they adored her; they
hung on her words. quoting her as
though she was infallible. Argu-
ment ended when one or the other
could bolster her cause with: "Mam-
ma said sol" So they regarded It
almost an insult to be told with
aggrieved impatience: Il. declare to
goodness, you're regular Mooret
In Sandy was concentrated all the
gay distinction: all the beauty OF the
McNeils. Sandy had that thin. wist-
full figure. She had white skin, It's
pallor made haunting by the intense
black of her eyebrows; the intense
red of her hair. More than this, sne
seemed to move in color and music.
Her visits to the city we're the
thrills Of Judith's existence. They
lhad become friends three years pre-
vious when Sandy's father wrote 10
his sister inviting the youngest
daughter, who happened to be Ju-
dith, to his home in Santa Barbara
for q vacation. Since then every
month or 50 Sandy dashed into the
office where Judith worked and tney
went off together on lark tnat TOT
Judith was q priceless adventure;
i She loved walking into the faiace
with Sandy. She felt proud as though
she was displaying some rare exc.lc
flower. She would whisper eagerly.
"Sandy-the way men stare at YOU;
! The head waiter knew SANDY. ne
ushered her to table IN the very
center of the room. She acceplcu
tribute as q queen might.
! Now Sandy drew off her gloves.
Judith watched her. Finally sne
reached over and touched. Sandy's
-fhand where a diamond tne slzc< VI
an almond glowed. ).
SANDY l8ukHcUs Ous
tell Won. I'm somewhat engaged"
! Like taking glass Of water! AS
Though one became engaged every
ten minutes!
tions, asked softly: who! IS nc
glorious?"
Sandy's brows raised whimsicaliy:
.Well--he might be called poetic.
Hes somewhat fragile. think It
NAV be auite charming floating down
II,aie Geneva in gondola while ne
sines me ballads. He's an Ital'an--7'
"Yon love him? Sandy. do You
\ love him achingly?"
Sandy began to laugh. Then sne
Ifrowned impatiently: "Heek, JUDY
| donx take it al SO seriously! rs
not funeral. said I'm engaged.
| didn't say I'm married."
Judith stared At her accnsingly:
InDo You get engaged TO : man AZ
Won don't Intend 70 marry him.? 5.
aYou can only marry one sof them J
Then Sandy leaned farward; show
can Won tell Il yQu love man.
II fNnm%in,aA an na@n thPAal