Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-09-21
Chapter Is
TAKING A RISK

to ask another she said.
She fancied that Anderson
WINGED, and she said quickly, "I'n
sorry. / didn't mean to be dis
agreeable"-and after a moment
Thank you for your letter, john
1.-THE honor is mine he an
swered gravely.
He talked very little to her dur.
ing dinner-devoting himself tC
the woman on his other side, anc
Sondra felt piqued.
Later in the evening when he
asked if she would care to go to
the races with him the following
day she said coldly:
isn't there someone else you
would rather take ?"
He checked a smile.
IF there was, should I ask
your"
"You might-if you thought I
expected you to-"
isn't that rather an insult-to
Yourself"
She flushed a little.
"You seemed rather ~engrossed
with Mrs. Dayton at dinner time |
thought" she said resentfully.
Il was trying to spare you the
necessity of talking to me-after
what you said"
Sondra sighed. "Life's such a
muddle," she said. unconsciously
echoing the words Flora had spok-
en- earlier in the evening.
"That needs explaining" An
derson told her lightly.
Does it,"
She looked at him rather visit
fully, then suddenly she said:
John, has it ever occurred to
you-what people think Of u.s."
"Of you and IL"
Eyes"
Il never trouble my head what
people think"
She was silent for a moment,
then she said: "Flora came into
my % this evening, and .
that money was lying on the
dressing table"
"Well?"
II didn't like it."
"The remedy is in your own
hands,"
What do you mean?"
"0nly that you should not leave
money lying on your dressing
table; it might be stolen"
you're splitting straws," she
said rather impatiently. "Flora
knows quite well that I can't dress
as | dom what she gives nae.
"She must have known that for
some time"
"Yes-but it was only to-
night-that I realized it,"
"Why tonight?"
Il don't know; at least" she
broke off. She knew well enough
it was Mark who had made her
realize it; Marks love for her and
his trust.
They were both silent for a mo-
ment, then Anderson said with an
effort:
"And the outcome Of all this is
that you will not come to the races
with me tomorrow"
"Do you want me to Gomez"
He laughed a little.
II am not an eloquent man. If |
went on my knees to you, it would
be done in such a clumsy and I'M
convincing way that"
you're making fun of me-" she
protested. tits not kind, John,
you hurt me-"
my dear" he said. Are you
ure you are not hurting yourself
and quite unnecessarily"
She felt the tears in her eyes,
and she bit her lip angrily.
81 don't know what you mean"
II don't mean anything except
that in spite of people like your
sister, it is quite possible for a
man to wish to give. . friend
ship to a woman-without asking
for anything in return. | hoped |
had made you realize that long
ago, Sondra."
She broke out impulsively.
You're much too good to me. I'm
not worth anyone's affection i
I'm so selfish some day you'll
be sorry"
when | am, I'll tell you, and in
the meantime, what about tomor-
row? You'd better say yes, Son
dra-because I'm going away at
the end of the week"
"Going away?" She did not
know II she was relieved or sorry.
"Oh. where are you going?"
"No further than Europe, but |
NAV be away for some time"
II shall miss you"
"Wfl YOU? That's kind"
She WAS struck by the sadness
Of his eyes. |