The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-10-30

her hands out Of Chcrry's clasp with
one sharp tug.
"There you have i'll" Bob Hatha-
way sprang to his feet and strobe to
the davenport, looking down upon
the huddle Of Cherry with blazing
hatred in his eyes. ''That's the pre-
cious little scheme she cooked M.
and that's where we stand now! Can
you blame me for behaving like a
lunatic, Faith? No matter how the
mess is fixed UP, I'm the goat"
"But what did you say to Mrs. ALL
bright" Faith, asked with painful
slowncss, If she were still half un-
conscious in the clutches Of night
mare.
II don't know what I said!" Bob's
hand again ravaged his thick mop Of
chestnut curls. Something insane
about Cherry's being a great little
kiddcr, and that it was Uncle Ralph
bled all over myself, trying to think
faster than talked. Said some
thing about her showing me how
she'd accepted Uncle Ralph-acting
It out to convince me that the old
duffer could really make love. Not
that Cousin Alice believed word
! said! She just stood there and
looked at me, as il she thought I'd
gone crazy, and ! knew I had! Then
she sailed out, looking as II she
meant to keep right on sailing until
she anchored in Uncle Ralph's house.
to tell him the whole tale. And ri
bet that's what she's doing, this very
well" Faith drew q, long, shud.
dering breath and stared up into his
face until the color slowly drained
out of It, leaving it pinched and
white. "Well-you seem to have got
ten yourself out of il already, rather
neatly" Her voice was edged with
bitterness.
"Faith!" the man bent and nut his
hands on her shoulders, gripping
them hard, II may have Numbered
like a fool, but what in the name Of
Heaven could you expect me to do
accept Alice Allbright,s congratula-
tions. let myself be forced into an
engagement with girl don't love
and who is already engaged to my
own uncle?
Think Of someone besides Cherry
for minute, Faith. I'm not asking
you to think of me-I'vc found out
tonight that I'll never rank any
where near Cherry in your heart"
his voice broke. and the grip on her
shoulders hurt her, but he went on
Immediately. think Of Uncle Ralph!
He deserves better of Cherry than
she was plotting to hand out to him.
Imagine it! An old man, who had
made formal and honorable pro-
posal to q girl and to her parents.
being Tilted by a silly little flapper
in q disgraceful, public way like that!
God knows why he wants her, but il
he does why, that's his funeral.
"And if he doesn't, after she tells
him what happened tonight, or after
Cousin Alice gives him her version
Of the affair, why, it's up to him. to
break the engagement. But I'm not
going to be . party to any double
crossing scheme like Cherry tried to
pull tonight. And il that makes you
hate me SO that you never want to
see me again, why--Pm more sorry
than you can know. but can't help
Without warning, he dropped to
the seat Of the davenport beside her.
laid her head, with its wide open.
staring, tragic brown eyes, against
his houlder, and murmured, in a
voice so tender that for the moment
It blotted out for her the violence
and harshness Of the scene. that had
taken place in that gay little room
that night:
"oh, my dear. my dear! What a
blind, foolish. unselfish darling you
Ito BE Continued.)
(Copyright. 1925. NEA Service, Incl
TOMOkROW: .Front page public
ny for the Belle Of Myrtle Street."