The Bismarck tribune., 1931-11-17

IDl1lA~ SiIyW ~ VEN Ou VlE IFke1
bors. 1t seems. I'm sorry II the
proximity annoys YOU"
MARY seized the opportunity to
A'A talk to him outside his fathers
hearing. It was chance she had
hoped for. but would have found It
distasteful to seek. "Let me under.
stand you," she said. coming for.
ward to look him straight In the
eye. III I accept your fathers offer
to make me his heir, 1t means that
you will remain here, with him?
That you will not 60 back to Eu.
rope as you planned?"
"How bright you are!"
"And ii l refuse 1t. you will go
on about your affairs as before?"
Bruce was obviously taken aback.
IT l thought you meant it-yes."
he returned hesitantly.
"Then I accept"
"Accept? But" Bruce struggled
with surprise.
Mary repeated, II accept and l
expect you to live up to your bar.
gain. II the only consideration that
will induce you to change your
wholly selfish way Of living and
spend some time with your father
Is fear Of me. then I am glad to be
OF use. It's too late now to do any.
thing about it 80 far as your mother
is concerned, but there's still your
father who would like to see some
thing OF you. oddly enough"
Bruce was staring at her, 4
strange expression on his face.
"I've wanted to say this to you
for six years." she went on un.
daunted. "Ever since came here.
I've tried to do my own quaint lit.
tie imitation Of Mary Sunshine. any.
thing to keep those two people from
thinking how much they missed
you, from realizing how little their
money had brought them, after all.
didn't succeed, naturally. but II
isn't odd that we all grew to bs
very fond OF one another"
n quite understand that, little
rival!" Bruce murmured softly. z
peculiar glow in his eyes.
Mary had dropped her bitter tone
and tried to speak as sincerely 40
she felt Now she drew herself up
and rejoined stiffly:
Regard me as a rival II you like.
Regard me as anything you please.
don't want your money. But II
you let that brunei Carlo take you
away from your father again, I'll
take it! That's my threat and I'm
glad to be able to enforce It,"
"Ah.ah!" Bruce cried. II re-
member you now! I've been puzz-
ling over where I'd seen you. You
were the girl In the elevator at the
hotel last night-with the man who
held the whisky bottle. so! Louise
spoke Of it at the time" He laughed.
delightedly. Prohibition has its
amusing aspects to q European!"
Then he added. Docs my father
know about last night? It was a
rendezvous, of course!"
:, Mary turned on her heel and left
him. She did not want to be drawn
into an open quarrel with him.
They would have to live IN very
close quarters on the "Gypsy" and
It would crowd that small craft to
hold them both as II was.
She urged the surprised Betsy to
brisk gallop going into town. Hav.
ing dropped her letter. she felt bet.
ter. Both she and her mount were
content to take the long hill road
home at a sedate walk. letting the
cool air and the bright autumn
seem heal her anger.
As they passed the Tabor grounds.
Mary's head jerked quickly about
for a second glance at the tall.
white-shirted figure who leaped to
. meet Cornelia Tabor's swift serves
with a lightning racket Her heart
drained utterly Of blood as she
recognized Dirk.
| Ito Be Coptinued)