The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-18
THE STORY

I Claude looked down at her pity
ingly. well. you're going ~ have
her for q little while yet. Your case
isn't nearly as bad as mine. Polly.
Mary won't want me 10 help buy
her trousseau. but she will want
you" He paused u moment and
said, diffidently. "YOu will help, me
out with that-and some other
things, won't you? You've no idea.
Polly. how I've been hoping you'd
| take charge OF the money and"
"Spend It," Polly snapped.
Claude nodded. His face. turned
toward her In the faint twilight.
looked strangely pleased. by jim
my. 1t would be great TO see some
Of 1t 20 for things women like"
Polly stared out over the water
aud was silent for awhile.
you're rather wonderful. Claude
Dabbs. l don't know that | quite
take II In"
c. NJ. .Dabbs moved uneasily. "Oh,
I've just gone along" he told her.
"doing what came uppermost. It's
you that are the wonder. Polly.
Look what you've made of your
self - and Mary. Though" he
sighed. II haven't hardly forgiven
you yet for keeping Mary to your
SELF" q
Polly rose. "Don't. Claude. you
can't understand"
''rhink I do Claude told her.
facing her. i've given lot Of
time to thinking that out, and II
| came over me with Y fash. Polly.
that In your place l would have
done the same thing. What did you
know about me-"
"Or you Ut met"
"Well.' said G. NJ, 1T happened
that way. and we acted each ac-
| cOrdinY to our natures but il |
! can make Mary happy, and buy you
both some pretty things now. that's
something"
Polly looked at him IN slow
amazement. Before her his life
seemed to spread cut. lie had tOiled
/ aud grown rich. unspOiled. Claude
was neither meek nor humble. lie
1 was wholly master Of himself. Even
while she determined never to ask
the inevitable question. she heard
1t coming from her own lips.
'In all these years. there must
have been some women"
you spoiled my taste for just
women" Claude answered brusque-
~, land / hadn't much time then.
though | OWL missed 'em. had
i 4 whole lot to look after. Tell you
about it. some day. Polly. II you
care to hear"
Polly nodded. She became aware
that Claude was regarding her hu
morOusly.
You'll notice." he said. az she
looked up at him inQuiringly, Il
haven't asked how many men,"
(; Polly laughed. IT hey didn't
count. had Mary"
Claude laughed. too. "Well. you
won't have her all to yourself.
Polly, now that Ned's come into the
story. You'd better try to like him.
He's q nice boy, though his ways
are sudden"
II don't like his sudden ways"
complained Polly. How dare he
say he's engaged to Mary!"
Claude's slow smile stopped her.
Il guess Mary knows"
| Polly looked at him. half angrily.
"Were you playing for thls:"
"Oh, Jimmy. no." Claude gave q
quick look at her. Il wanted the
girl to myself q little while, but I
know better than to interfere with
young people when their minds are
made up"
4 Then Polly suddenly realized.
4 "Has-has she said anything to
you abOut-when?"
NO, but i'll know Ned. 1t will be
soon. Will you 60 back with her
to the White house. Polly, and
stand byf Wejcan talk everything
0ver-later."
Polly hesitated,. and was con.
sciOus that Claude waited anxious
[. IL. II must talk to Mary. first, "
she said. and saw the keen blue
; eyes regard her with curious look
Of disappointment
cHApTEh XIV
j MARY and Claude pabhs were
!, M climbing, Winding Willow road
, on their way to Clover Hollow
, Venice was barely three weeks be-
, hind them., but Ms Mary copfided
!. to her father, It seemed more like
three years, g j g = a. though Venice
Claude rave her M odd little
look, ana Immediately Mary put
, her head. on his shoulder xnd TOLD
! him that OF course she didn't NEAR
exactly that Claude Agreed tina
he thoughf she couihn'8 possibly.
Directly behind ti,entsawas PeHf'
Valley and the grocery, 10 IRON
/. ofs;the grocery Polly hid climbed
. out Of Nxry's car and into Ned's
? She sat there waiting fpr him.
: That was the sore sp0t In Mary
; heart. Mother had come back re
! beliiOusly 70 the White house
; though eutwardly quiet and acqui
q escent. 49, I'M
During al ths journey home sh'
had remained pecluded IN her state
room while Mary. Claude and Me-
:. had paced the decks together an
Z tried to arrange their lives m,
: hers. She still called herself Mrs
: / Johnston While she acknowledge
3 Mary's engagement g. Ned. an
8 spoke t. Claude awheN necessar,
G she steadfastly REFUSED to ente