The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-20

THE STORY


back" y SO
They sat. saying nothing, Ned's
thoughts busy with his own future.
The woman beside him was facing
the long years to come, honestly,
for the 6rst time. She knew that
her position was untenable. She
knew also that Claude Dabbs asked
only the privilege Of watching over
and caring for Mary, for Ned and
for herself. He would ask nothing
Of her. grateful II she would stay
near them for. Mary's sake. crate
full that the children loved him.
Polly's mind leaped to. it's fine
conclusion. Here was her oppor.
tunity. 1t might even b. that In
Claude she would Ind the friend
and companion she had missed and
lOnged for. since Mary had gone
her own way. Did nor Claude face
middle age, too. but with philoso-
ply. and brushing aside its disillu-
sion. neither grudged youth its due
nor shrank from life. Claude was
alive. very much 80. but OF life he
expected little: OF himself. much.
Polly wondered II she would ever
grasp life rs serenely and Ms firmly
AZ lac did. taking what 1t gave.
grudging nothing that it withheld.
Polly threw away her cigarette.
READY to go back. Ned?'
In the library at Claude's home.
Claude and Mary were turning over
plans for the new factory and the
proposed public library and recrea-
ton room.
"Moiher and Ned take long
time OH that drive" Mary observed.
finally. 'Oh, Dad! do you think
anything's happened:'
Not bit Of it," Claude told her
TRANQUILITY. They've just gone 4
bit further than they intended.
Why. daughter, what's wrongly"
Mary had clutched his arm.
Nothing, only l get so worried
nowadays. l never used to. Bit
Ned's y little reckless. don't you
Think"
NO" Claude rose to Ned's de-
Tense sturdily. 'Ned's a splendid
driver" Then he laughed. us It
Ned or your mother. who's So pre-.
cious that you think the Almighty
may be jealous:''
"Oh, hush, Father, don't say It,"
Mary inpl0red.. and then laughed
at herself, telplessly. See how
primitive I'm growing. like the
heather who give ugly names to
their best.belOved to shield them
from me wrath Of the gods"
Its queer" Claude began. more
to himself than his daughter. but
the old folk were so often right.
Ny mother used to say that love
made women savage and men
gentle. l wonder"
There they are!" Mary ran TO
the doorway leading to the garden.
She stopped. astonished. Father.
something must have happened.
Mothers getting out"
Claude looked over her shoulder.
LET me past, Mary. IL POliy's CON-
Ing into my store, l must be there
to wait on her."
Mary watched him 20. but stood
waiting. She felt q little sad and
alone. Ned came into the room
from the hall behind her.
Med" Mary said a. she turned.
has anything happened?"
Something nice. Mothers COM
Ing In"
'Mother !" Mary echoed. her lips
parted to- ask q question.
And before she gets here" Ned
told her hurriedly. coming very
close. II want Ia. give you your
freedom. ! think what you wanted
n coming about. Mather's going to
be reasonable and settle down for
awhile here; aud you're free to do
as you like about --ab0ut that en-
gagement Of yours. Mary"
He paused, ana as she remained
silent. continued slowly: Il rant
70 on this way.>I want you to know
that, and. to know tirat I'll keep Oh
working with Claude, no matter
what happens. You SEE. I simply
can't stick this, Mary. I'm just An
ordinary, able-bOdied man, who
wants to be married soon. and ex-
poets TO be loved. not just tolerated
and lodged and held OF. The wOnl-
an marry will simply have 10
want Ma Ms much, and as near, NJ
! want her."
Mary locked ut him. her eyes on
that mouth that was SO like Loren
Rangeley's now. 50 hard, SO
straight, 50 determined. She had
certainly not meant to do It. hut
there seemed to be just one shame
less thing to do. At the touch Ut
her hand on his arm. Ned turned
to her, and Mary pulled his head
down and kissed him, knowing that
after that she would never escape
from any engagement he made.
Ned held her tightly. his eager lips
against her own, then hot against
her pulsing throat. Z. 49,
Claude aud Polly could be heard
In the hall. coming toward them.
Ned put Mary on her feet, but she
chung to him still. dizzy and speech.
less. He put his arm about her.
.'Oh. Mary" he whispered. "H0w
could you torture me. so long:"
Il didn't-knOw. but I'll make
1t up to you, Ned. IN marry you"
Tonight" Ned told her.
Polly Johnston. little pale from
the EFFORT. came toward the library
door. Her eyes changed as she
saw Claude's own room and read
from It deeper. into GIaude's self.
She blamed Nary that she had not
been told. this aide oEthe man. for.
getting show she hale refused to
listen. She WINS surpassed now that
NarD d0 not hove tSRarA her.