The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-17
CHAPTER v

CLAUDE DABRS could trace his
~ American blood to some time
before the Revolution. His for
bears. the Parks, the Elliotts and
the Dabbs. had probably called
themselves English - when they
were not Scots-and that fact NC
counted for much. Claude himself
was essentially and unconprOmis-
iDgly American, and his shop had
that distinction.
Willie 1t was scrupulously clean.
and the cleanliness was. In true
American fashion, accepted and
taken for granted. there, was also
what Ben JOnsOn styled ~ sweet
disorder" about the place. which
accentuated the charm Of 1t to the
oldest customers and to G. NJ.
Dabbs, himself. y
Mary Johnston felt the charm as
she entered the shop and was In
troduced by Ned to it's owner.
While her order was being put up.
Mary went to the post Office, prom
Using Ned to return in time to be
taken home with the order. Ned
stood watching her for a moment.
unconscious that Claude was OBJ
serving him with interest.
When Ned returned and came in
to the shop. Claude was apparently
absorbed in the order book and
Ned went his rather uncertain way
about. trying to assemble the White
house order without help,
Ned. whistling softly. TO himself,
thought that this was indeed Peace
Valley. The drive dom had been
perfect. Since he VA tod Mary
everything about himself-except a
few essentials like his real name,
who his father was and how he
had met "Cncle Claude"-it might
well seem so to him.
Then he caught sight of Mary
Johnston coming back. from the
post Office. He busted himself in
getting the order box on the rear
seat Of the car. 50 that Mary would
occupy the seat at his side.
Claude glanced at the girl and
wondered OF whom she family re-
minded him.
The car started toward Clover
Hollow. Claude started after n.
and not until it was well ont of
sight did he wake up and heed the
plaintive wall Of Sim.
Whats the matter now, Simr"
Dabbs asked.
You've let Ned. of without the
Mannheim order and the other Go.
yer Hollow stuff." replied Sim, de-
jectedly. Il KEEP atrying to tell
you."
Don't worry. Throw 1t into the
Ford and I'll tend to It soon az |
come back from the BARRIERS" ana
Claude took his way down to Ike
Newman's.
Ike was shaving the customers In
regular order, and with no more
than the usual disregard Of mod.
ern sanitary precautions. Claude
always shaved himself, and did not
patronize Ike, save az regards to-
Dacco. and cigars; but visited him
often enough to be neighborly and
TO hear whatever gossip his own
customers had missed.
Presently, just a. Claude had
hoped. the talk drifted around to
them Clover followers" It was.
Just as Claude we'll knew, an In.
exhaustible subject. Dick Hanna
mad been up at the Mannheims.
working on the community garden.
and he had some country witticisms
to offer at Dorothy Selden's 'ex.
pense. To Claude's' astonishpdent.
however. though Dick had been
working there all week, he had evil
IDENTIFY heard nothing about Ned's
real name.
Claude breathed more freely.
much relieved, yet wondered how
long Miss Selden would keep this
to herself. He decided that he
would not speak to Ned until It be-
came necessary, or Miss Selden
made itspubiic property.
Having learned what he came
for. Claude was preparing to 20
when he heard the name ".juhns.
ton" spoken by some one ID the
group nearest the door,
- M oGu6SA 1870 M .,u..u