The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-18

not to use this young man SO
often" Mrs. Johnston suggested
Let him go back to the shop To-
day. Tomorrow We will so with
one OF the other men as driver"
And let that interfering little
cat think we take her seriously"
asked Mary. Indeed not. I'm go
ing to Hiilsborough. and with that
young man. II you do not care To
come why. I'll go alone"
What could her mother do but
laugh, and so along. though she
thought to herself: LITTLE fox
What Is she up To now"
Before they reached the car she
paused To say. he very sure will
take good look ut this young
man. III like him. we will con
linue to champion him and his
driving. Ii do not-he's dropped ="
I'VE can, drop him far" Mary
rejoined. Hes got to bring the
groceries, you know"
For one appreciable second. Ned
forgot the chauffeur manner he
had intended 10 try out ON Mary.
lie. stared. Mrs. Johnston was his
excuse. This was the first day she
had consented to ride with them.
Ned found himself looking into two
sleepy brown eyes that saw more
than one guessed, and at one OF
the handSomest women he had seen
in many Il day. The color OF that
hatc al. hn nAn,iftnL
was enough to make anyone Iook
twice Her mouth was oddly dis
concerning. 1t looked capable OF
sneering. Then, quite suddenly.
she smiled.
III mother were my sister," Mary
thought. watching her with that
odd pride In her mothers beauty
that made her depreciate her own.
mo one would ever look at me-"
Mary paused before she followed
her mother into the car. "Oh.
mother. just q moment. This is
Mr.. Carter. Mr.. Dabbs' nephew.
who has been SO kind in driving
me about"
Following the introduction. Ned
helped Mary In very carefully. This
was the moment for which he had
waited. aud Mary had stood the
test. She had not "Cartered' him
10 her mother.
Neither Mary nor her mother
knew HillsborOugh. Ned had WIS.,
tied 1t several times with Claude
Dabbs. and suggested the Iron
Hand inn as their destination. The
idea was acceptable to Mrs. Johns.
ton. who merely stipulated. Any
where. except Peace Valley"
Mrs. Johnston was conscious that
she was one person too many. Ii
was curious. Not a word or !, look
that she might object to. yet the
feeling was strong. Mrs. Johnston
was iri1tated. she had much to
worry her. Surely It was impoSsi-
bic that her precious, level-headed
Mary could be about to further in
volve them Mrs. Johnston. who
was really tired, tried an expert
ment. She closed her eyes. com
plainin. that the air made her
sleepy. Contrary TO her intention.
1t really had that effect. When she
opened them, some fifteen minutes
later. Mary was on the front seat
with Ned.
"Oh, mother, didn't want to dis.
turb you. Mr.. Carriers been telling
me such interesting things about
the country"
Mary joined her mother at once,
but Mrs. Johnston was not pleased
with the result Of her experiment.
When they had crossed the cob
blestone parking space 10 the en-
trance. both Mary and Ned waited.
Things were IN Mrs. Johnston's
hands. She knew II. She could
not treat this young man as \ paid
driver.
MIR. Carter" she began q little
hesitantly. since we've SO freely
accepted your uncle's car and kind
ness. won't you accept my invita-
ton to luncheOn:"
1t was very graciously put, but
Ned knew how little Mrs. Johnston
wanted him. even IL she was thor
OuYhbred enough TO ask him. He
thanked her. vow1ng that he had
an errand 10 do for his uncle but
would take them In and introduce
them to The Iron Hand.
He strOlled along quiet resi-
Dental street which terminated In
an old graveyard. He sat down OH
u fiat tombstone, and thought about
life and Mary.
Hey. Ned. for one minute I
thought you were monument"
Claude Dabbs was smiling ut him
over the fence.
Ned rose and went to him.
THANK heaven l SAW you first"
Ned said. Il told the JOhnstons I
had TO do an errand for you. CQ2ne
back with me-"
Claude. however, was too busy to
do more than stop at lunch coun-
ter near the courthouse where he
had TO look up several property
records. AS they ate he listened
absently, Ned thought. to n de-
scripti0n Of the mornings drive.
When they had finished. Claude
said he would walk with Ned to
the door Of the inn.
As they reached the inn, the door
opened to admit large party Of
cheerful farmers wives and chill
dren. Through the door, which the
last lumpy child left wide open.
Ned caught glimpse Of Mrs.
Johnston. Mary and the proprietor.
They were examining u print. hung
rather high above the hall VAIN
scoting. Mrs. JOhnston's glorious
hair and strongly modelled head
were thrown into relief against the