The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-11-05
81 A !! l!)ey T {! 40!
By FAITH BALDWIN,
BY xnNo FEATURES SYNDICATE INC.

II know you we'll enough, even in
this brief time, to realize that you
would not have accepted mere hear.
say. am right, am I not, in con-
Guiding that you have been in COM
munication with" she hesitated,
realizing that she did not know the
name of the school or the people
who ran it-"with those quite con-
versant with the situation" she went
on, after a brief pause.
He nodded. His eyes were intent
upon her own. Hers did not falter
in their brilliant blue gaze, very de
rect, very lovely.
Il have nothing to say in my de-
fense," Fanchon went on, Except
that it is possible that appearances
were against me. Possible that did
not really know of Commander"
she hesitated again, remembered and
went on, Commander Gaines mar
rage, after all; possible that my in.
terest in the native you speak OF was
what I said it to be-"
She was silent moment, remem-
bering all she knew of native life
and character and of the misunder.
standings which had before this
arisen between the children of the
Island sons and alien oceupiers of
the Islands. II am not pleading for
myself" she continued, "only for,
as you put it. the benefit Of the
doubt"
"You mentioned" she said, smil-
ing, suddenly, Hawaiian moons and
susceptible youth. You forgot to
mention loneliness. A girl, alone. Is
it likely that when offer of haven
and harbor and affection were held
out to that girl that she should re-
fuse ...7 Or that she should, % she
would think, seek to jeopardize her.
self by q confession of what, at its
worst, was only folly?"
After moment, fascinated against
his will by her smile, by the warmth
in her eyes and her voice. Collin
nodded:
"You have me there. =. Almost
you have convinced me. Let il 10.
then. as folly. I understand folly.
What man does not, grown to
mans estate9 But what alienated
me was your attitude"
She said, swiftly:
you know nothing of my atti-
tude. Only from my letters. Letters
are dangerous, they mislead. I have
never been," she laughed = little. "a
ready letter writer. I am sorry. I
would like you to know that I care
for your mother very much. I
never knew mine," she added. un.
conscious of where her words were
leading her.
"What!" asked Collin in blank
amazement.
Fanchon flushed scarlet. She said. \
hurriedly:
Il mean it has been some
years since she died. Before that I
was child, busy with the adjust
ments of childhood, of growing un.
never came close to her. Oniv
since her death, and that of nv
father, have ! felt the need of her.
vi someone to whom / belonged.
l am putting this very badly" She
said. hopelessly.
He was suddenly gentle with her.
mo, I think I understand"
Fanchon rose to her feet.
:, i must" she said, "get back 10
the house and dress for dinner. MI.
Carstairs-"
Collin, please. We may be enc
rising. '
Il am not your enemy" she said.
SO sweetly, SO simply that his heartN
misgave him and he took a step to-
ward her. "even il you are mine.
Collin, if you like, I will talk 10 vonr
mother about--what has happened"
That is generous of you. No. il
she has not spoken of il herself
perhaps she would rather not. Per.
haps she wants you to begin ali over
again" Collin said. 4 little awk-
Copyright 1881 ~ Faith Bsldvi.
Distributed By
Atng Features Syndicate. Inc.
ess~s