The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-10

Ella Rivers. with clumsy attempt
to make light Of the incident.
"Of course-it's only Ben's pre-
cous wife who must smell of laven-
der" She closed her eyes. seeing
him going into the kitchen-perhaps
to find out about the cordial--find
the bottle
"Say. it's eleven! Ny sweetie will
be waiting. I've got to wander
said Edna Stacy.
Sandy laughed with relief. Co
ing because Murillo had come home
and made sccne-but they were
going. She ran up to her room, talk.
ing gaily, picking up their wraps.
All this while Alice. with flashing
eyes and constrained mouth, kept
watching Sandy. "You won't mind
driving me home. May?" She now
asked and purposely delayed till the
others were gone.
She walked grimly to the door.
Then she turned on Sandy: where
is he?"
I'm his room. Didn't you hear the
door bang?"
whats the matter with him!
You're fine spineless wonder.
swallowing that kind of stuff. Do
you suppose that bluff Of yours got
by?"
"I'm not trying to put over any
bluff"
"You're not? He sees red when
you smoke! DO you think any of
US fell for that? Do you realize
that he never greeted single one
Of your guests ? And he knows them
all. 'Whew! Smells like road
housed No thanks to him If it does!
He might just as well have ordered
Us oil out! He practically did. And
you take it."
"What was she to do? l don't
see what else she could do but try to
pass it off," said May Arliss, sick
ened by the blanched. stark look of
Sandy's face.
Sandy drew herself up-stff-her
eyes filling. "I'm not trying to pass
it off. May. I've finished with COW
ering up Ben Murillo's meanness.
I've never had the crowd here be-
cause of him. I tried to pass that
thing off tonight because didn't
want to make it more unpleasant
for everyone. He'd stoop to insult
wasn't going to help him insult
the people l care about. He's done it
Now you ell know. And il you think
I'm trying to cover up, I'm not.
xHe's my husband. He won't re-
lease me, but If you think I'll de-
fend him, | won't. And you can tell
it wherever you please. And what
you saw tonight. you can exagger-
ate by Thousand and you won,
know the hAlf of his stingy mean
ness. And if. you think. May. that
I've turned snob and refused invita-.
tons from the Nold crowd on that
account. haven't | just haven't
got . five-ccnt piece to my name.
And I've got to 1tick here till
I'm equipped to earn my own living
1t wont be much longer. If I'm
spineless ! wish someone would tel
me what else can do"
Alice swallowed. "Where did that
creme de cocoa come from? I saw
him looking at the glasses. What
Sandy leaned against the open
door. Nothing that can bother me. :
well, hate going home and leav-
ing you like this"
almost two years. guess l can
stand . few more nights .
They went down the steps reluc.
family. They stood at the machine
talking moment. then May Arliss
ran back: II could stay all night il
you want. Sandy.p
why. May? No. But thanks
She listened dumbly to the shift.
in OF the gears, waved.
And she let the breeze blow the
mist in her face. She thought OF
Ramon down there in the shadows
waiting. She longed to rush out and
fling herself in her arms-hide away
be hidden and covered with theiI
quick. warm sweetness.
III 20 now" she thought erimly
Il wont come back-I'll never come
She closed the door softly. turned
She stood still-very still-her flesh
clammy and cold. Murillo stood a
the door Of the living room, RI
leaned there, his arms folded.
"Yes." he said quietly. 1--WE been
here"
.Have your"
"All the time. So you've taken
TO stealing liquor, have you? YOU
have key to my cellar? You didn't
expect me- here. didn't expect "a
be here. I'm lucky. It seems" He
tsppod his foot. "What have YOU
70 ssy for .yourselfr
"Yeu took that liquor from my eel.
- took it! That's nothing to what
I'll take Ia the future. You're keeI3-
luR ne here. You'll pay for It. ~
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