The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-11

LWtueT Huu Heu ~ manly cuIS
ago.
Mary explained to Mrs. Farley.
having first ieIephOned Claude.
that she was dining with All ola
friend.
Mrs Farley. who had no daugh-
tiers and adored Mary, watched
with interest Mary's meeting with
| u big. dark. mIddle-aged man who
looked rather distinguished.
Mary thought her father looked
stunning. 1t was frightfully ro-
mantle. she told him. clipping with
ones father In gondola.
"Y0u wouldn't even look ut me
II Mother were here In all her
glory Neither is-oh. Father.
Mother Is a perfect peach"
There was poet. long ago.
who put what feel about Polly
In 4 nutshell" Claude answered.
1T was something about: III she
liant my peach. don't care how
peachy she IL.
Father! Stop! Don't murder.
IL she ID not fair to me. What care
! how fair she be-"
That's It. Just this minute
Polly leaves me cold and | wouldn't
look at her tonight. not 50 long as
III had you 10 myself"
Father. that can't he true. II
must not be. Because I've set
my heart on making MOther-lO0k
Ut you."
Claude Dabbs laughed. and put
his big hand over Mary's little one.
and let Polly alone. The devil
himself couldn't make Polly look
at me-
"Wait and see. Maybe what the
devil can't do, Mary can"
Hut Claude was saying: I'm
to have you for tonight. daughter,
xnd tomorrow Is another day. Wen
see what We can do tomorrow, II
there's anything 10 be done toward
making Polly look ut me- He
changed the subject. keeping Mary
busy teaching him Italian words ~
say to the walters and the condo
liers.
Ned. not for a moment suggest
ing \ grocery background. was
waiting at the landing. His eyes
made Mary happy, furious and
shy. 1t was ridiculous. hut she
could not seem to help 1t.
The dinner. whether owing IL
Ned or Claude-Alary could not
really tell which. they both seemed
50 eminently cOMpetent--was deli
cious. Their table was decorated
with flowers, which always seem
dOublys rare and precious IN Ven
Ice. Her two men. Mary felt. were
the most distinguished In the ROOM
The two men were equally sure
that she was the most attractive
girl in the world.
After dinner, and coffee IN the
lounge. they went up to Clamde's
sitting room to talk and smoke.
II was happy evening. In the
presence Of his daughter. Claude
was at his best. Ned. revealing In
the fact that Mary was noting
every shade Of her fathers feel
Ing for him. drew Claude out for
Ills daughters sake.
,Mhen the loveliest evening" as
Mar! I'D her father, Was over
ana Nlhdere,>.sAlhry must Nv home.
Ned remembered is..4 Claude h.J
never once called him Kaiis~.ay rho,
evening! What's night and
moon to explain under!
He limited. eagerly. that he was
ready 10 take upon his shoulders
the duty Of seeing Mary home, sug-
gesting that 1t would be safer for
both Mary and Claude. Mary
simply slipped her hand into her
fathers and looked at him. Ned's
argument was nothing.
Il guess we'll risk that. my boy,
Il Mary wants me-" said Claude.
Ned stood on the landing steps
and watched them move away.
Mary had agreed to meet Claude
at the Academia ut three the next
afternoon. As Claude turned to
direct the gond0lier, Ned had whis-
pered:
"come twenty minutes earlier
for me-"
But 40 the gondola floated away,
he wasn't sure that Mary had heard
him.
When she had said good night.
at the doorway OF the Royal Dan
ielli, Mary found it was later than
she thought and with q little APP
prehensive feeling went directly to
her room.
There was light still burning
In POlly's room, >and reluctantly
Mary opened the door between their
rO0Ius and looked In.
Come In, Mary" called her
mother.
Polly was sitting up in bed. read
ing. or pretending to read. and be-
fore Mary could scold her for read
Ing after q headache, Polly began:
ITO save trouble. Mary, and to
avoid unnecessary conversation
you were not with the Farleys To-
night. They all went to bed an
hour ago, and In the hali i heard
young Farley asking his mother
where you were and why you did
not dine with them tonight"
Mary looked at her mother. for
half q second without speaking.
She had not expected to be caught
quite 20 soon.
sTu NE CONTINUED,
!