The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-07
SJJNDAN MARCH 8, 1927

older man with a smile.
&C. Al. Dabbs, General Store" no
read aloud sY told the truth
Come, what Is 1t that distinguishes
you from the rank and ME OF
Dabbses7 Is 1t Charles or Cyrus
or"
The older man bluslied. &C. NJ: l
generally sign myself" he admit
ter, "but II you really want to know
what 1t stands for-why. Claude
Melnotte Dabbs' . my name"
The young man laughed softly.
repeating, "Claude MelnOtte."
Mr.. Dabbs smiled. do you blame
me for sticking to c. H.. or Mis-
ter?'
II do not" his companion de-
clarcd alphabetically. Tell me
"A travelling company, pretty
good one. too, believe,"Mr. Dabbs.
began hurriedly. with somebody
celebrated as Pauline came to the
county seat and played The Lady
of Lyons My mother" -
II didn't mean that" the young
man assured him hastily. as though
fearing obstetrical details. Il meant
to ask IL there q Lady OF lyons
in Peace Valley and Is yours
called Pauline too?"
Mr.. Dabbs hesitated. shook his
head thoughtfully, and said slowly:
Il live alone. with Aunt Lyddy to
keep house for me.
"'Course, I've always thought It
was a blamed silly play. All about
a poor boy marrying lady under
false pretenses. Good many years
since I read It, though. but as re-
member, ne made good. I've often
wondered II In real life"
But his companion cared nothing
about discussing Lytton's old play.
II say, Claude Nelnotte." he inter-
rupted, "is your Peace Valley home
lit by 'alabaster lampsT
Claude 1felnotte Dabbs hesitated.
He was home again, after q week
/ Of the Wholesale and Retail Gro
GERS convention In New York. Re
hind that calm exterior he was
| greatly excited. Something IN the
| young mans question family stirred
his memory. Surely there had been
mention Of "alabaster lamps" In
that old play. Vaguely feeling that
| there was another answer, he took
particular pains 10 be exact.
We've got an electric light plant
for, the store only. as you'll notice.
In the house we burn coal oil.
They're, Rochester lamps"
He threw the door wide open and
beckoned to his companion to en-
ter. saying:
"Weicome home. Ned. Welcome
to Peace Valley and our store"
| With their entrance conversation
stopped and all eyes turned toward
Mr.. Dabbs and his companion.
Ned saw what seemed an I'M
mense cavern. lit by crudeiy In
stalled electric lights which shed
a garish glow over the huge stock
Of canned goods. flower pots. cot
ton cloth, hams, bacon, tea. coffee
and other staples which constitute
general store.
"Hello. Sim," Mr.. Dabbs began.
greeting the big-headed. pale-faced
man behind the counter who was
ladiing out sugar for bewhiskered
!. farmer.
But before he could introduce
Ned. a clear, girlish voice Inter
rupted: -.
II beg pardon. but could-will
anyone tell me the road to Glover
Hollow" -
The occupants Of the store trans
ferred their attention to the girl
who. unnoticed. had entered just
behind Mr.. pabbs and his compan'
. ion.
She was a slender. vivid. dark
: girl. One might suspect. and 6nd
= red lights in the brown hairt almost
I hidden by her .close-flttings hat, and
fire in the blue eyes that looked
: out from under long. dark lashes
Everything about her spoke o.
4 money and care expended up0r
every article Of her clothing. Sh'
4 had that curious air Of responsible
), ity and knowledge that is so oddl!
part of youth that the war has lief
! US.
!. ~ beg pardon" Ned began. bu
I the girl looked past him and at thu
u capable Dabbs. who had turned to
8 ward her and was pointing through
e the dark doorway as he spoke:
y go straight along up that roa,
e until you pass Brook farm. which
y you'll know by the little covere,
u bridge. over the brook. Cross tn,
bridge, turn to the right and keel
u on upNthe hill and away from Peac
. Valley and you'll be on the onl,
:: road to Clover Hollow"
"a - The girl thanked him briefly
E. though cordially. and went swift
y out. Ordinarily the crowd w0ul,
have discussed her, her destination
a and her likelihood Of being
Is "stayer" or just visitor at Glove
& Hollow. But now there was an
y other stranger present, and the
y falrnal their attention tn. Ned.
"a Y Mr.. Dabbs introduced him briefly
q My nephew, Ned Carter. come t
T. stay awhile"
re Then. as the store began to wax
ln up and get ready for speech. h
60 turned to Ned with curt. Com
ri in and meet Aunt Lyddy."
lTO BE CONTINUED.)
In
I'd A. TunI1GuT