The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-10-11
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| As though his words had been Z
cue to them. his guests broke into
an excited but subdued chatter.
Mr.. Cunningham bent his head
and kissed Helen very gently. Her
eyes filled suddenly with tears.
THANK you" she said IN Z
choked whisper. Then she turned
her head to look down the table
where Brent sat. There was upon
his face IN expression that she
| could not gauge, perhaps because
he was desperately trying to con-
ceal his elation and keep his ex-
preston inscrutable.
He had not guessed Mr.. Cunning.
hams decision to accept Helen as
his granddaughter and heiress to
his fortune. It came to him as .
great surprise as 1t vas to her.
He did not 60 to her at once.
but her eyes constantly sought his
and he knew that she was waiting
for him to tell her what this latest
development would mean to them.
Would he leave her now. 60 away
and forget her. thinking his duty
done?
Duty! Helen hated the word.
+! She wanted love. And Leno did not
love her. she was certain OF It.
His continued attitude OF sorrow.
full r%cnunciation proved It.
And wouldn't he give her ur al.
together now that he knew her fate
was sealed and she must remain
with her grandfather? 'rhc thought
brought anguish to her.
CHE was deaf to the remarks OF
= the people who crowded about
her, offering their congratulations
and fluctuations. She scarcely
heard Mr.. Cunningham's meager
explanation Of her history.
But when Eva came to her and.
putting her arms about her, said:
I'm SO glad. for your sake" she
wanted to cry out that there was
nothing to be glad about-that her
life was being sacrificed. Her self.
control was leaving her in a panic
Of fear that she had lost Brent.
Just as sue might have said some.
thing wild she saw Brent coming
toward her. He took her hand and
pressed It hard. Courage. my
dear" he said under his breath.
Helen barely caught the words but
they steadicd her. She smiled at
him and turned away to those who
were still gathering around her.
As she did SO Eva unobtrusiycly
slipped a hand into Brent's. He
gave It q pcrfunctory squeeze and
let It 50. Eva was too excited to
note his lack Of warmth.
Her act annoyed Brent excess.
sively and he cursed himself for
having been q fool about her. He
had slipped but rarely in his life
and as he looked at Eva he felt Z
desire to choke her for having teen
the cause Of one Of those rare occa-
sions.
One word to Helen Of his attcn.
lions to Eva and he knew he
might as we'll cry for the moon as
to seek to win her. He seemed to
realize the folly OF his conduct
with full force now that Helen
had become the Cunningham heir.
ess.
But later In the night he had 4
comforting reinsurance Of her feel.
ing for him.
The guests were departinS-lon:
after Mr.. Cunningham had retired
and Helen suggested TO Brent
that they drive Eva home since she
insisted that she could not remain
over night. She had to leave early
the next morning for q mu5ic les.
son in the city
Bob is coming for me-" Iva
told them. with an appealing glance
at Helen.
"Ol," Helen said indiffcrcntiy.
and then added enthusiastically TO
Brent: Suppose we so and L.iye
the sun up. Leno!"
Ito Bo COutinuedl