The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-10-01

ward him that Rob In 'haway sprang
to her side, and put his arm around
her shoulders.
"What is il. Faith? III do any
thing in tn. world-tell me-"
"Bob." and "aith raised her head
with that sudden proud gesture
which 'ae was coming to associate
with her, "this is Mrs. Ettles0n
Mrs. Albert Ettleson. She came here
today to tell US that Cherry that
Cherry has run away with her hus-
band. We've got 10 stop her. Bob
If it isa't too late.
"Oh, my Cod" His tall body
doubled suddenly, as if he had beef,
struck n Knockout blow.
II wish to God Ia never comet"
Mrs. E.tleson began to weep. gasp
ingly. like child. albert isn't
worth it all. II I'd known about her
mother oh, IN Kill myself il poor
Mrs. Lane dies!"
1--WE mustn't waste time" Faith
said sharply. because she was SO
torn between pity for Mrs. EttlesOn
and Bob Hathaway and her anxiety
for her mother and for Cherry.
"We've got to get Cherry back
right away, Bob! The doctor said
another attack might" she chokcd
on sob that tore her throat.
Mrs. Ettleson, won't you tell US
just what you know" Bob Hatha-
way, sensing Faiths need and terror,
got hold Of himself miraculously.
Lets try to get at this thing scnsi-
bly,. You may be entirely wrong.
you know. Please tell Us exactly
what you know about Cherry and
your husband"
Mrs. Ettleson dabbed ut her tear
streaked cheeks with the back Of a
thin hand. "Albert--Mr. Ettleson
and live in Indianapolis. He's a
travelling salesman for the p-Top
Gas Range Company, and he comes
to this town once month. ! help
him with his reports. used to be q
stenographer before ] married. and
they know me ut his office. They lei
me have his mail to forward t0 him
or to answer, if it's something can
attend to-" There was curious
ripple Of pride in the dead, flat tones
Of her voice.
"About two months ago he got q
letter in IL girls handwriting, from
this town. IL didn't worry much
her listeners knew, with an acute
pang Of pity. that she had worried
terribly-'because know how
how travelling men are. Most Of the
time they don't mean any real harm.
Albert was always good to me--in
his way, and hadn't had any real
cause to be suspicious. but when
when the second letter came, II
steamed it open before forwarding
it to him."
How it must hurt her to tell all
this, Faith told herself sickly.
1T was from-Cherry Bob
prompted the faltering narrative.
Eyes, from Cherry Lane" Mrs
Ettleson nodded. 1T was love let
ter. He had promised to help heI
20 on the stage-in New York"
"Oh!" Faith breathed. That ex.
planned SO much! Selfish, scheming
vain little Cherry!
"She kept harping on the subject,
Mrs. EttlesOn went on. "She be.
lieved every word he told her. Al.
bert talks big" she explained
ashamed. deprecating. Hes u gooc
mixer-makes friends in all the
towns on his route. He goes t.
New York every six months or SO
The company has it's factory in In
dianapolis, but its main offices arr
in New York. He'd-he'd evidently
promised her, If she'd-if she'd b
his-his--be nice to him." she sup
piled desperately, her Puritanisn
locking her lips on the ugly wore
she had tried TO use, that he'd gel
her try-out in musical comedy
Albert couldn't do anything like
that, really" she hastened to assure
them, with pitiful apology for the
four-flusher she was married to.
"Then what, Mrs. Ettlesen?" Boil
demanded impa&iently. His eye'
were like bits of blue ice caught il
the frozen paleness Of his cheeks
Faith wanted desperately to put hel
arms about him, cradle his heat
against her breast.
"There were three other letters,
Mrs. Ettleson went on, twisting hel
handkerchief between trembling fin
gers. Ell sent them on to him
was afraid not to. Then yesterday
| was at his office, helping hin
make out his reports, and l found |
telegram that had accidentally go
mixed up with his orders. It wa
from-from your sister" she said t
Faith, "and tit said she would b.
ready to 70 with him. if he'd wir
her some money.
"She had to get some clothes, sh
said. She was to meet him a
Darrow. fifty miles from here. H
must have seen her in between o
had . letter from her at some tow
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