The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-10

11e lt u ClSdIGt usually ISct1IcIl'
Der. II there's anything I a do. Ole
dear -"
You mean II I want to get mar
ried?" she laughed.
Exactly"
"All right. I'll let you know. Please
so now. dear. Bob's probably round
the corner somewhere. with his watch
III his hand. checking up OH your ex-
it,
Damn Bob!' he exclaimed. do you
suppose he'd really take Rita away?
Or was he just trying to throw 9
scare into you?"
Il think he was trying to frighten
me-" she said.
Well. you get hold Of me. If he
tries TO start anything. honey. I can
beat him up, ii / can't do anything
else. The funerals day after tomor-
row. You wont forget, Molly?"
How could I forget! I'll have seer
Bob before then. and everything will
be settled. Ill have good news for
YOU
Il hope so.' he told her.
Molly spent the rest Of the night
in the nursery. Once Rita woke. And,
m~urmuring. "Hanny,' stretched out
her little hand. for Molly to hold.
Molly put on the night light and
toasted her eyes on the child's loveli-
ness. Her cheeks were pink and her
mouth was like a crimson rose.
There was q poem in the Fifth
Grade Reader. when Molly went to
school. It was about a baby who
said an angel kissed her as she came
by.
Molly tried to think how 1t went,
but recollection eluded her tonight.
She was very tired. and put her head
against the side of Rita's bed. She
slept fitfully and dreamed horrible
dreams about losing Rita. She was
wandering through a great forest,
filled with wild animals. looking
everywhere for the child. Calling and
crying. And stumbling as she ran,
praying that nothing had befallen her
beloved.
Hello. mama!"
She woke with a fearful start.
dreaming that she had found Rita BY
an open grave. searching for some-
n who had died.
The child laughed at her alarm,
and threw her little arms about Mol
ly's neck. and kissed her.
Tell me, dear. who had you rather
live with-daddy or me? Had you
rather stay in your beautiful big nurs-
cry. with all your pretty playthings,
and have all your lovely little dresses,
and everything you want-or had O
rather go and live with daddy. and
not have any nursery at all, and"
= \ \
The child laughed delightedly. It
was a new game they were playing.
I'D rather live with you N daddy
hofe,. she cried.
But If YOU couldu', have US both,
darling?'
I'D rather live with YOU" de-
clared Rita. pointing her little fin
ger. And Id rather live with daddy
too!'
Molly sighed.
You're a born diplomat she said.
She spent the morning in the park
With Rita. and they had luncheon to-
gether in the nursery. Every moment
today was a precious jewel.
At three the butler announced Bob.
He was calm and courteous today.
with a sort Of detached politeness.
First he apologized for the unpleas-
antness OF the night before.
1t was a bit n:elodranlatic," she
conceded cooily. Rather like the
movies. don't you Think
1t was the only way / could con-
vince you tina. I was in earnest lie
declared. 4 had to show you how
much it would mean to YOU to lose
Rita
'oh, no. you didn't. I knew quite
well. Was that the only reason you
staged your charming little act:"
i wanted YOU to know that the
Law is il O. my side. You can't pos
s!bly keep Rita withou. my consent"
She shrugged YEARLY.
Are you trying to make me hate
you. Bob?'
7 wish I could make you love me-"
You ACT like an eager lover
But ! would he cried. If you'd
let me. I'm crazy about you!.
.Maybe that's why YOU behave like
such q darn fool" she hazarded in.
sultingly. We won't get anywhere
~quarre!ing though. Listen. Bob
would you car to t-y out a trial en-
gasement? For a little while. I mean.
It's so absolutely awful 70 talk about
getting married RICH. away quick,
when We haven't done anything but
quarrel for weeks. Maybe, II you
should Be engaged 70 me for a while.
you wouldn't wan. TO mar? me at
all
You'd try to scare me off. I sup
poee:'
-oh. no. I'd be jus. as nice as any.
thing. Il would be = real engage
ment. You know I'd play the game. II
Ne agreed to try it out. You could
come here whenever you wanted. I
would 80 out with you. wherever sou
choose. Ny only stipulation would
Be that the engagement should be an
aheolute secret. until We had given
Il . fair trial
II we can get along peaceably for
three months. say. then we can Be
married. ! love Rita 50 much that
I'll do anything In reason to keep her.
Il marriage between US seems to be
reasonable. then ! am quite willing
TO Be married. But you know your.
eli that there would be no earthly
sense In leading . cat and dog lie.
for the sake Of sharing Rita. That
wouldn't Be any good for her. and It
wouldn't bring any Of US any happi-
nes8."
why not announce our engage
ment. il sou really mean to 70
through?"
NO" She shook her head firmly.
You -. ! am . public sort Of per.
son. People. for some strange rea-
son. are interested In what I do. II
should announce our engagement.
every neEspAper In America would
| carry the story. I loothe and desnise