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

young man 70 marry. Personally, he
says. he could never bear . be known
~ mister Molly Durnham."
Molly II considering now . rather
unromantic proposal from Bob New
ten. Bob Is inSanely In love with her,
but he II IN unstable, selfish person,
and Molly hates % contemplate mar
riage with him. On the other hand,
he Is the father Of = little girl whom
she adofes. Since the death Of Bob'a
first wife, Molly has cared for their
small daughter. Now she u fear
fully afraid that. II she refuses ia
marry hob, ne will take Rita away
from her. She promises 70 give him
~ answer day after tomorrow.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XIII
Red Flynn's mother died that night.
Someone teiephoned from the office,
and told Molly.
Red lived away from town. and his
telephone was out Of order. Molly was
not sure that he would want her to
60 to him. so she sent a note by mes
senger, asking II there was anything
she could do.
When he received her letter, Red
tclephoned to say that he had to 60
to the office. After that. II it was not
too late. he would drop in and see
her.
She guessed that he was going ia
the office for money.
please come" she urged. 1T won't
be too late, whatever time It is. It
will do you good to talk with someone.
Promise me you'll come"
1T may be pretty late. You're sure
you won't mind?"
mot . bit" she assured him. "They
said at the office that she didn't SUI
fer. Red. I'm 90 glad"
mo-" he said. She went very
quietly. In her Sleep"
That was beautiful" she consoled,
You mustn't feel too badly, my dear,
You were 50 good to her. The tears
people shed over their dead are almost
always for their own thoughtlessness
We don't cry 20 often for the things
We did as for the things We didn't do,
You'll never have to reproach YOUR
self, Red. You were the best boy to
your mother that ever lived"
Il tried to be decent" he said
brokenly. "A sick woman has an
awful lot to put up with"
II know. And you were wonderfully
patient. dear. Well, come In. when
you an. Well have coffee together,
like we used to. I'm all alone"
It was hours before Red arrived,
Molly had gone to sleep waiting for
him. He came apologetically. There
were things to do at the house. he
said. Lots Of things. He shuddered,
MY God, Molly. deaths = dread
full 'thing!"
She kissed him gently. and made
him sit on her cloth.of.gold sofa,
while she rubbed his head.
will you 90 with me tomorrow to
choose q caskct?" he asked. TT
seems they've all kinds. ] never
thought about them before. I sup
posed they were al alike. I'd like ia
get something sort Of soft-looking."
"Why surely" she promised. We'll
find one that's dark and lovely, like
wood violets. with . soft. sweet lin
Ing"
"They make blankets Of flowers,
don't they?" he asked. Something
to throw over the damn hardness Of
the boards?"
Eyes. beautiful things" she told
him. Let me buy It. Red. Ill get
one Of pale pink roses
she liked roses" he murmured,
THE sweet-smelling ones. WIN you
get that kind. Molly7"
She smiled te1derly. and promised
as though she were huinoring . child,
THE very sweetest ones that grow
you're awfully good" he whis-
pered, and drew her hands from his
head. to Kiss her fingers. one BY one.
you're Just about the only friend
I have. Did you know that. Molly?
There wasn't anybody else ] wanted
to see. but YOU"
"I'd have gone to you. II I'd been
sure" she told him. But I was
afraid I might be intrudins. I thought
there might be relatives around.
There usually are. when people are
dying" III.
I'VE haven't any relatives" he said.
Besides. It was very sudden. The doc
tors said her heart was getting weaker.
But when the end came. It was sud-
den. Thank God ! happened to be
there. I went home early. with some
port I'd found for her. We talked for
4 while. Then she got drowsy. and
dropped off 70 sleep. She never op.
ened her eyes. Molly"
THAT was . lovely way to die. Red"
Eyes" he said. II suppose II WAS
They were quiet then Tor = little,
and Molly soothed his head again
With her cool finger tips.
THAT light u IN your eyes" she
murmured. I'm put II out. and light
the candles. Have you some
matchesi"
Gte reached for the switch. Red
was fumbling In his pockets Tor
matches. The room Was In darkness.
Suddenly there was . knocking at
the door. A venou1ous knocking.
Someone pounding ansrily with hia
fists.
IT'S hob" she whispered.
She reached again for the switch,
ana flooded the room With light.
"Yes?" she called. "oome In"
The door WAS flung violently open.
bob, diaheveled and furious. STOOD O.
the Threshold. e.
r knew I'll" he cried. y knew I'd
find him here"
REDS mother 4 dead. bob"
Molly spoke quietly. He came e
ask me to help him choose : casket'
She died tonight, Hob"
He looks - II his mother just
diedi" scoffed Bob. II that's what
men do when their mothers die"
"Bobl" Molly laid her hand on hia
arm. Il don't know whether you've
been drinking q not. but you mustn't
make ! scenes Here tonight. I tell YOU
that Reds mother has just died."
-
80 tnaA steaea s0eAAah@1 ~ hix eoo4