The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-09
CHAPTER u

MED woke next morning TO the
~ sound Of life and activity be.
low stairs. His hrst thought was
that he was back In camp again.
Then he remembered. His watch
told him 1t was seven. Thinking
he would surprise Claude Dabbs by
his early rising. Ned dressed leis-
urely and went downstairs.
Aunt Lyddy greeted him without
enthusiasm. Informing him dryly
that Claude had been up for two
hours. He WAS at that moment
experimenting the unloading Of the
new Irish potatoes.
The food was delicious. and Aun,
Lyddy waited aud watched over
him ut the breakfast table. antici-
pating his wants as though he were
\ small boy: yet Ned felt that he
was delaying the important affairs
Of the household.
Still with the air that he was
company. Aunt Lyddy Informed
him: Claude said to take the car
and sail around. or do anything
you've mind to do"
Thanks. Aunt I.yddy. but I think
I'll help Uncle Claude In the shop"
Aunt I.yddy's eyes showed sur
prise and approval.
Claude Dabbs could do with a
little help she announced. There's
many leans on Claude. and but
few MS offers a shoulder themselves
occasionally. Not that Claude needs
anything to lean on, but the fact
that a shoulder Is handy kinda
keeps a man from feeling lonely.
I'm going to say this--yOu don't
look rs though you needed auy s),e-
cial help to get along in this world
Maybe you do. l amt inquiring.
All I'm saying Is that never, since
Eve known him, has Claude DahbS
shown such admiration for any liv-
ing soul as I've seen him show for
you. WELL" her apron waved. px-
pressing what she was unable to
put into words. 'let me see you
worthy, young man. Let me see
you worthy"
Aunt Lyddy." Ned put down his
knife and fork, II don't know that
I am exactly worthy, but ! will be
frank. Uncle Claude can't begin to
have the admiration for me that l
have for him. Why, he saved my
.pocketb0ok. possibly my life. the
other night. ! was In the park just
OF Riverside drive, weary or every
thing I'd stretched myself along
the bench to look at the stars and
think out what should do with my
life. when along came Claude Dabbs
and sat down on ma"
Aunt Lyddy giggied In Z peculi-
arly young and girlish way.
"Of course. that went q long way
toward making US friendly. While
We were sanntering along talking
We were ordered to put up our
hands. II army experience has
taught me anything 1t Is to be leery
OF pistols In unknown hands. Mine
went up at once. But c. n. stun
bled accidentally. l thought, which
brought him few steps In front OF
me. and nearer the other fellow. OF
course, G. Ms hands went up rs
he recovered his balance. What |
didn't notice, nor did the other fel-
low until 1t was too late, was that
one OF his feet went up. too. First
thing ! knew the other man was
down and Claude was sitting on
him."
And by Peter and Paul, I'll wa
ger Claude never called police
man" broke in Aunt Lyddy.
Ned shook his head. I'VE Just
took his pistol and blackjack and
left him. He was knocked out
stunned by the fall.".
They surveyed each other, smil-
Ing.
Il suppose you'd like to know .
little more about me-" Ned said
tentatively.
Il kin wait till you tell Claude"
Claude knows something, and
you'll be miserable until you know
~ much, won't your
Again Aunt Lyddy gave her pecu-
liar giggle, and settled back in her
chair.
Get 1t off'n your chest, son. and
don't smooth over nothing for me-"
Il drove an ambulance for six
months before this country got into
the fight" Ned began. Il was hurt
little and had to come home.
Tried for commission in our army
when got well. Had to throw over
everything to do It. Family and
girl. My girl was In with q brOfes-
siOnal pacifist bunch. Da-con-
found them all, they acted us
though the rest Of US liked war.
and had arranged It for our own
amusement.
swell, after I got my commission
! was ordered down South to one
OF our camps. / went, thinking l
was on my way to France. When
got there. they told me my resix-
nation had been accepted. / swore
BY everything holy and unholy that
! had never resigned They listened.
bored but patient. and repeated that
my resignation had been accepted.
I'd better see Washington, / vas
told.
Il went to Washington. They told
me there my resignation had been
accepted. ] told them I'd never re-
signed. They listened and said
maybe not, but the War depart.
ment was too busy to bother about
my case. just then. or to correct
any mistake. II there was I mis-.
take. They advised me tenderly to
80 home like . good boy, and, may
% some time later. they'd look me
up. ] went swearing. had no
home to 80 to. 80 ! enlisted IN !
New York regiment and was. dis
chArRed some fW0 or fhrnA ~Aeira