Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-11-16

She md her face IN ner hands,
and there was a long silence, then
she felt Johns hands on her
wrists, gently drawing them down.
what don't under
stand, Sondra? ?" he asked again,
and she saw that his face was
white. She closed her eyes,
whimpering like a child. Let me
go let me go you hurt
me"
But his grasp on her wrists
frightened till they were numb and
bruised, and he bent down, above
her, trying to force her to look at
him.
'What is it I don't understand,
Sondra? answer me-"
"You brighten me -. you're un-
kind. -"
Answer me-
She turned her head slowly, as
if against her will he compelled
her, till their eyes met, and held
one another in a long gaze.
Then Sondra said slowly, almost
stupidity,
81 am married already :"
She saw his lips move, but it
was some seconds before he
jerked out two words ITO
-Merriman?"
Eyes"
He moved away from her, stood
at the window looking out into The
street, his hands clenched behind
his back, not moving till she spoke
his name with a sob-"John."
He turned then and came back
to her.
The man she had glimpsed 6
moment ago had gone-his face
was quiet and composed as sht
had always known it, his voice
steady when he spoke.
I'm sorry of course if ha;
known.
She broke into passionate sol
bling.
81 was afraid to tell you
afraid"
"Have | ever given you cause t,
be afraid of me, Sondra?"
But she only sobbed again, -"
was afraid-afraid."
A flash of pain crossed his face
but he said nothing and Sondri
went on-"It was my fault
Mark wasn't to blame-oh, | don
know why I did it. | think
was mad"
He moved his hand as if t
touch hers, but checked the inn
pulse.
"Do you love him, Sondra?
She caught her breath
Il =. thought | did" ST.
whispered, sobbing.
He stood looking at her wit.
suffering eyes, then, almost wit
an effort it seemed, he took he
hand again.
Don't cry like that, my dear .
you'll make yourself i'll, I'm still
your friend-always your FRIEND
and -. you mustn't be afraid O
me any more. Sondra, stop cry
ing"
She checked her sobbing wit
an effort.
I'm so s-sorry s
ashamed thought you didn'
care for me any more i though
because of that money. +. :" he
voice broke again. "I1l try an
pay it back some day, john"
The ghost of a smile curved hi
lips.
do you think that worrie
me?"
"No, but :" she turned he
face away, tearing at her handker
chief. "I've only got about a thou
sand dollars in the world. Nv
been trying to get work bu
it's so difficult almost impos
sible nobody wants me.
told you | had plenty of none.
l.. well, l haven't. Ben CAV
me twenty-five hundred dollars
and I've spent most of it already,
she laughed pitifully. "It's quee
how life can change in a littl
while isn't it? =. | cen t
have lost all my friends. :"
you'll never lose me-"
She gave him a grateful smile
"Cass said that 49,. Cas-" he
voice broke again.
docs Merriman know?
Anderson asked.
know? $50"
"Your position"
"No. / never told him. Fl
thought | had -. plenty of money
Not that it would have made an
difference-he really loves me-"
81 am sure he does, my dear"
Her lips trembled. "John
if we could only have things owe
again" she broke out.
His grasp of her hand tightene
a little.
"You mustn't say that-there
lots of happiness to come for yol
Why, you've hardly begun you
life yet"
She went on, u~nheeding him.
give so often wanted to tell yo