The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-05-17
CHAPTER 4,

CHAPTER I
Judith closed hcr eyes. She re-
maincd seated at her desk, quiet as
q ~t"t'e. She was quiet like this
while her heart raced with a dream
:. .-.u.lful thing had
! en,d TO Judith. Someone said
TO her. "Oh, Jude, you're the darling
est thing on the earth!"
She was not used to words fikc
these. She wasn't the kind Of girl
who wins such tribute. Those who
loved Judith said she had "soul" in
her face, but others called her "plain"
exceedingly plain.
Judith herself knew she was home.
". 'I'm just out and out homely!"
she murmured after many an agon-
ICED scrutiny of her image wher
she became cruelty aware of he,
large mouth, her tan skin and
straight drab hair. Once an Older
woman noticed her eyes; said they
were magnificent. Overhearing this
Judith found it hard to breathe. II
was the first time anyone had seen a
comeliness in her face.
And how she worshiped beauty
fog driftitg with forlorn rhythm owe,
hilltop trees grown still against the
twilight sky. She could grow mute
! with JOY watching sunset. Sh.
| would feel within her yearning; +:
sweet. aching want as if she mus,
| reach out her arms and draw close
to her being the loveliness she saw
Life--its mystery--the taunt Of
her unknown future filled her with
eager longings. She pictured hersclt
doing brave, splendid deeds: pictured
herself sought after adored
! But she had bump Of ruegct
common sense. She came back II
| realty with mocking "vcry likely
Judith Moore! What would II man =
that kind of man. want with ;
hulk e[ea girl alikssgof ?"
! She would want to cry asking this
hut her pride rushed up in q flame
| She always managed to hold he
head very high whispering gruffl.
to her st0rming, imperious youth
IL don't want love! I don't need it
ii never think Of men or marriage
I can get along alone!'
This grim sentence only sent he
back more clamorously to he
dreams. Romance would come t.
! her all right! Some godlike maj
would see into her heart, how ga.
4 it was, how noble. He would be EN-
thralled by this inner beauty. The.
would recognize each other instant
". He would say, judith, Nv
searched the world over for you!
She would answer with glad
mighty tranquility, 1--WE waited"
There we're many versions OF thi
rapt scene-all of them piereingl
tender. Sometimes Judith chose
moonlit garden--whose, she didn'
onsidcr: sometimes they would NEE
at a dance; again they would b
standing. on q ship far out at sea
All girls, especially plain ones, cher
tish wild hopes like this.
But last night-why, last nigh
Douglas said to lrsr: "Oh. Jude
you're the darlingest thing on earth!
She repeated it softly; 3 warm husk
mess filled her mouth.
1t meant nothing, of course. Sh
and Douglas had known each othe
years. She couldn't remember wne'
they first started taking long walk
together-almost since the day nc an
his mother, Emma Keith. had move'
into the flat next door. From TN
very beginning he told her his hope
and how he intended to make IT. VI
10 "Em" for the way she'd sacriflce'
in educating him.
He told her about the girls h
liked. There was that angel in MI
class at college. Judith listened il
a soft, understanding way. Whel
the angel passed, it was the littl'
blonde typist in the law offices
where he got his first job. Then
was the stately Miss Kane. He wa
very glowing about them all, talkinl
to Judith as though she were
| hundred and fifty years old.
| But last night he came over a.
q chuckle. He pulled the dishtowe
from her hands with breezy: Gee
von're the pokes in this shack. En-
and l finished hours ago. Get You
hat5-rot' something great to tel
YOU"
quickly because he was excited Wit
his amazing good luck The news
naper he'd worked on at college OF
tered him S25 a week. Think Of it
twent ty five dollars! And he had onl:
60 write about 800 words o day
short, snappy stuff Of current event
| illustrated with goofy drawings
What pipe!
They reached Alamo Square
looking far out to, the lights blink
ing so daintily-little golden midget
Jumping on the water. "Prett!
lucky. Jude? Now i can blew yo'
to 4 good show every seven month
or so." 80,
Judith trcmbled. He had hold Q
her hends. waiting with boyisl
earerness for her approval. Sn'
loved the ardent look in his rich
dark eyes-loved their sweet, direc
She said: "Oh!" Tears ran dowl
her cheeks and she gulped: I'm g
Rlad--so awfully glad. On, Doua
4 isn't life gorgeous!" s
He gave her quick pull toMar'
him. laughing in her face: "Wha
n nut! What . queer, darling thing
Jude, you're the darlingest thing q
the earth.
She, walked honeward. drenche'
lin happiness. Fora long tine tha
night judith sat on her bed :ynliint
i into the aarkness, telling heFsei
i ,,,;th a~ar anrrtixh: UOh. 1t VA