The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-16
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CHAPTER xLv111

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CHAPTER XVIII
Red had promised to come imme
diately. Molly paced up and dow
the hall, wringing her hands. Some
times she pressed her fingers to he
lips. to stifle the screams that wer
In her throat.
"Oh, God" she prayed. don't lie
him keep Rita. Please don't let hin
keep her"
When the bell rang. she rushe,
past Natsu. to open the door herself
TO her utter Amusement, 1t was no
Red-but Jack-whom she admitted
I've read Ashes OF Desire" he an
nounced surprisingly.
And, stepping In. he closed the dool
behind him.
You've what?" she cried.
Read Ashes Of Desire" he repeat.
ed patiently. "Your book. ! neve,
read 1t before. Molly"
She stared 1t him.
Il don't know what you're talking
about" she told him foolishly. Rita.
gone, Jack. Bob's taken her away
What shall I dor"
"Rita?" he repeated. II didn't
come to talk about Rita"
Natsu and Marie had disappeared
and the two were alone. Simply, as
though he had done 1t only yester-
day. Jack put out his arms. And
straightway. like 4 child, Molly nestled
in their circle.
OnAaeAsk1V
He held her closely, as though he
could never let her 60.
I don't understand" she murmured
Did Red send YOU? Do you know
about Rita?"
He shook his head.
No, darling. I went back to New
York, when I learned you had left
town. I didn't ever want to see
you. nor hear Of you again. Red Flynn
had sent me Ashes Of Desire. !
never meant to read It. I meant to
return It to him. But last night ~
oh. Molly. It was an awful night! It
poured and poured. and the wind
howled. I tried to get you out Of my
mind. I didn't want to think about
you. I darn near went crazy, trying
to forget you. Then / picked up your
book. and I glanced through it.
my Lord, Molly, I hadn't read 4
dozen pages. when I realised! You
wrote that book for me. didn't your"
He raised her head from his Shout.
der, and putting his fingers beneath
her chin. tilted her head back, 80 that
he might see her eyes.
Tell me. dearestl Tell me you
wrote 1t for me-"
OF course. I wrote it for you.
Jack"
And those fool reporters thought
1t was for Bob Newton!" He laughed
shortly. II don't understand. sweet
heart. You weren't really engaged to
Bob. were your"
yes" she admitted. II mean no.
That IS -. oh, Jack. he's taken
Rita!"
Il don't understand" he repeated.
Neither do l." she confessed. "It's
awlully mixed up. isn't It? love
you. Jack"
oh, darling, I know you do. It's
the most wonderful thing In the
world. And. Molly, I never stopped
loving you, sweetheart"
But you wouldn't marry mel" she
moaned.
Il was just . darn fool" ne de-
cleared. Lets get married today"
oh. dcar!' she cried. IT only
had Rita. I'd be the happiest girl in
the world"
I'll get Rita for you." he promised.
III do anything In the world you
want me to. Molly"
But you cant get Rita" she walled.
because she belongs to Bob, and he
won't let me have her. unless I marry
him."
80 that's It! That's Why you rot
yourself engaged to Bob?"
You wouldn't marry me-" she
said. And I didn't want to marry
anyone else, 50 1t didn't make much
difference"
He kissed her hair the way he used
to.
You're cuckoo" he told her ten
derby. You may be : bright young
woman on Broadway. but you're only
q little nut after ell"
Come in my sitting room," she
proposed. RED will be here any MIN
ute. I'm afraid he'll think I'm tickle,
II you don't stop kissing me. Last
time ! saw him. I Wa engaged to Bob
.. Oh. dear. II ! only knew about
Rita! There are about . million
things I want to ask you. Jack Wells
what sort Of things?" he asked.
"Oh. that dreadful Mrs. Dulwer-
Eaton for one"
Molly. you didn't believe that drive
eli" He regarded her sternly.
mo" she said, 'of course I didn't.
But you've : lot q explaining TO do.
just the same"
well. she was rich 90 old lady
Croesus." he declared. and I MAS Z
poor young man trying 70 GET along.
Besides, I did some swell houses log
her. GOT paid pretty well TOR my
time. ~ course"
.That's = II sheuld b." shs DE-
creed. "You didn't ever Kiss her,
Jackf"
mol whatsoever mide you think Of
q thing like thatS"
'foh, I didn't really think Co." she
assured him. n just wanted 70 Be
sure. I'd hate 70 have he'd you klsa
her. = Wos bA6 enough the WY you
held her hand tn night eAcfifice
opened"
Il didn'tis 10 protested, ilushing
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