The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-09

sVdti ~ 8sVC u0ncs or 10 1Ulty
recognize. There was 80 much con-
| fusion In her mind. thoughts halt
formed Hitting across It like birds
OF the night, that she finally left 1t
to Ned to break the silence. All he
seemed able to say was "AIaryi"
"Are you here" Mary began dcs-
peratelv. with my"
Ned gave swift look about to
assure himself that they were
alone.
"Oh. what does II matter who I
am WITH I'm here because you
are here. and I couldn't stay In
Glover Hollow without you. I've
followed you, Mary. to tell YOU"
"Hush!" said Mary warningly,
and put her finger gently against
his lips, for out Of the little door
way had appeared the wondering
heads Of a German youth Of about
twenty, and his bride.
Mary moved away. seated her
self on the stone parapet beneath
the horses and looked out over the
piazza. Ned stood beside her, look
ing down.
"My father" she began.
Eyes, I came here with c. NJ.
Dabbs, and I know where he IL. hut
I'm not to meet him for half an
hour yet. Surely you can listen to
me for that length Of time. II you
DON'T" he threatened. Il won't tell
you where to find him. II you're
kind to me I'll lead you to him."
"Mr. Carter, aren't you little
sudden In your methOds?"
"rm anything you like except
Mr.. Carter And II I seem sud
den. look at the provocati0n. At
a certain shop your father Is wait
Ing. and once he gets within hail
ing distance I'll be pushed. showed.
ignored, or kicked into the back
ground. So, Mary-No you don't.
my dear. There's absolutely no use
in our roaming around looking at,
things In shop windows. Down this
alley-way there's flight Of stone
steps leading to the canal. II you
come that way we could wait In
the shade for a gondOla."
ITO take me to my father?"
Eventually. yes" admitted Ned.
''but primarily to listen to me-"
"About father? oh, I should
love to hear about him.
"Wouid you? Well. I've lots to
tell. A wonderful travelling COM
panion. but first you must hear
about me-"
They had reached one step and
while Ned signaled passing gon-
dola. Mary thought Of him and
wondered at herself. Why should
she 60 with him? Mother would
never approve Of this! Neverthe-
less, she waited for his gondOla and
listened to him with a smile. 1t
was like walking into trap. but
was she 90 unwilling to be caught?
She had one wild impulse to-
ward flight az Ned concentrated, his :
attention upon getting the gondola
ready for his lady. 1t would he 40
easy to slip away now. As she
made the FIRST step his hand was
on her arm. very gently but com.
pellingly. and she had stepped into
the gondola.
They sat side by side for a few
moments In silence as the gOndOla
made its way into the Grand canal. |
Then Ned turned to her and spoke
about Venice. It's sudden and un-
expected charm for him when he
had first seen the city. He loved
1t. This lazy method Of lOcomo-
ton was perfect. Did she not think
SO? Mary could ,rhapsodize with
him over Venice 10 his hearts con- /
tent. and began to think she had
been fearful without cause.
They had turned from the Grand
canal into a narrower. half-desert- )
ed looking waterway. quite evident
~ leading to the private entrance
Of several old palaces. Over the
wall of one streamed green
branches and creepers, the remains
Of an old garden, once hidden from
the public eve. The canal was
beautiful. and dark with shade.
Here and there long splashes Of !
sunlight stole between thick walls
and made bars across the water.
II knew you'd love 1t. I've al |
ways planned to bring the girl l.
some day mean to bring-Mary,
rye kept It for you. Isn't 1t
lovcly?"
Before Mary could reply. her
hand was crushed In his. his shout
der was against her own and his
lips close to her ear were MUIR
muring, 80 that she alone could
hear all that he longed to tell her.
It was extremely jerky and inco-S
hn~Aak 1c pA~t thAeA rroa raex,
little sense In It. 1t was rather like
what every man does with his pre-
conceived idea Of how he Ia going
to conduct his love scene. Ned. be-
ing very much In love. made had
hotch Of 1t. In fact. the astonished
Mary rOuld not distinguish any
thing except that she was disturb
ing the even tenor Of his life con-
siderably. that she was adorable.
and-though everything was i'm.
piled that should have been i'm
piled. there was not single word
about marriage or engagement.
Most of It was "Oh, Mary"
They were approaching the old
bridge. The bridge. low and dark.
seemed to Mary the proper place
to arrest the stream Of Ned's elo-
Quence. She determined to release
her hand. 1t did not seem easy.
She tried It. however. and turned
her face so that she might look at
him and make him understand. As
she turned. the lips so close to her
ear brushed her cheek. met her
mouth and chung there.
It was the first time-f0r Mary.
Other men had tried to kiss her
mouth, Just as other men had
asked her to marry them, but none
had succeeded.
When the gond0la shot from un-