The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-16
red ~-~TIt Il Cd. darling. aud not q
word until we're clear"

hat. looked lit herself In the glass.
and was whisked out into the hall,
hurried to the elevator. and found
herself being pil0ted to y0nd0la
by :tali young man who laughed
dawn al her and treated all the rest
Of the world as moving shadows.
He stopped TO look under Mary's
hat and the smile died out. =
"That sort Of an engagement will
never hold me-" Mary said quietly.
meeting his eyes. 1T was very
cleverly done. but I can easily
break 1t, and | will"
In the silence that followed this
remark. she could hear Ned's
heart beating hard and fast. Then
the idle apprentice hasn't won the
masters dauEhter?"
: NO" -
The little word seemed to echo
about them. although she said II %
low.
THAT settles-everything." Ned
spoke slowly. I'll 60, tomorrow.
You needn't be afraid" he added,
$50 stop shaking"
You can't 60. Fathers fond OF
you"
Eyes, I'm fond Of Claude Dabbs.
too. but he'll have to get along
without me. He has you. He won't
care"
Ned reached In his pocket me
chemically for cigarette. Mary
wished she could keep from look.
ing at his mouth. What was there
about It?
HE will," she insisted. "Aren't
you big enough to. forget q little
thing like this and"
Look here, Mary Ned had
turned to her, the unlighted 81.
garette between his fingers. ut
isn't little thing to me. DO you
think l 90 chasing across the seas
and all over Europe utter girl
for mere amusement? There are
plenty Of amusing girls left In
America. Only l didn't want them.
l wanted you. Oh. Mary. can't you
understand? Ever since ] held you
In my arms that day Ut the pool
| knew. l WAS sure about myself.
"Why-why," stammered Mary.
didn't you tell lne that--firsi!"
Would 1t have made any differ.
ence:', Ned asked her bitterly. "Not
u bit. You're Polly JUhnstOns
daughter. us cold Us Ice and W. cal
culating rs she is. Make a man
crazy and then let him down. !
thought you were like Claude, aud
had u. heart. but--Oh. what's the
use? Lets go back and tell EN-"
He was actually turning to speak
to the gondolier, when Mary
stopped him. They were nearing
the fatal bridge. and she knew now
why she couldn't help looking ut
his mouth. 1t was because. warm.
curviny and generous, as ii was
now, 1t was shaped like Loren
Ranyeley's. II Ned were thwarted
and disappointed and denied, II
might become In time the same
straight, hard. lean line that his fa-
theirs mouth had become. The
thoughts were unbearable.
Ned" whispered Mary. I'VE
might try it-until Father aud
Mother make up their minds"
Ned looked at Mary with positive
dislike. THAT'S Mrs. JOhnst tons
daughter speaking" he said coldly
I'm in love with claude's."
Its Mary Dabbs who IL giving
you 4 cnance," she told him Will
spirit. MARY Johnston Moult
throw you over like that" She
snapped her fingers In All airy ges
ture. $50 make up your mind
Loren Rangeley's son. for the Ut
fer will. be withdrawn In 4 moment
Why. should L." she asked Of blu'
sea and sky, Jump. for Joy at tn
chance to- marry Ned lsangeiey
when 1t comes to that?"
Neither sea nor sky answered
but Ned did. "Done!" and his han.
pressed hers.
Loren Rangeley. after gravel!
discussing his busfn ess witt
Claude. though uneasily c0nsciOu
Of Polly sitting nearby. took his de
parture. Before he left, Claude Ia,
told him that Ned was to be hi
partner and personal representa-
tive, and Loren had expressed tn
hope that Ned, who as he said
had fallen on his feet" would ~
preciate his good luck. He wa
content. he said, to leave the DO,
In good hands.
When he had gone. Polly rose.
"Better wait for the children,
Claude suggested. why not din
here, Polly? We could all hav
dinner together quietly. and discus
; Mary's plans for the future. an
: make our arrangements for her"
Polly stood irresolutely. lookin
down at the Grand canal. just 4
her daughter had done that after
noon, oppressed by the tumult O
: her thoughts.
Il want you to know, Claud.
that it wasn't the mOney-yOu
money. 1t WAS Mary alone thu
brought me here today. You ma
.. not believe that, but its true"
|. "Why, Jimmy, l knew 1t. Poll!
No need TOR you to tell me that"
II can get along" she told hin
. on what I've left. especially II liv
over here. DO what you like IL
Mary, but leave me OUT
. How can II" Claude aske,
"Mary will want you. and I'll wal
you to stay with Mary. whatevt
;; her plans are. until she marie
Ned. I'll keep away rs far as
), can. You'll have to let me pla
around with Mary little, but
!. won't bother you. OF course, va
. can and will live where you liz
But I think Mary will want W
near her."
;, Polly sank into the chair ut Il
:. window and played with her glove
q Mary" she murmured. "What
t my life going to be like withOl