The Bismarck tribune., 1933-02-01

The steak is the piece OF resistance
If you bend It We can't take il
backw
After luncheon they cleared the
table, stacked the clean plates back
on the kitchen shelves and went
out again onto the deck.
Ardeth flung herself on q rattan
couch piled with faded cushions.
Ken perched on the rail and lit q
cigarette.
At first they talked easily. Gay
inconsequential chatter - Of the
shop-of Jeanette-Ken told Incl
dents of his college days. He spoke
Of Tom Corbett, who owned the
ark with him.
1--WE roomed together 1t the
university. Toms . prince Of .
fellow. i'll bring him in sometime
to meet you. I've an idea jeanette
likes him pretty well. Maybe If
he'd come today Jennie would
have forgot to remember her
house party. Oh, well, we don't
miss 'em, do we, Moth?"
Her gaze wavered. Broke away
from his in confusion. She gave
a shaky little laugh.
| II should say not! It's their
loss"
And suddenly she could not
60 on.
Silence growing between them.
Spreading. The wide sun-flooded
country was tremulous with ex-
pectancy. The air between them
ached with unspoken words.
She felt the weight Of Ken's
gaze, but found Of q sudden that
she could not lift her lashes. Her
heart set up a rapid pounding.
Ken had slipped from the rail.
He came over-seated himself be.
side her on the couch.
Then his arms went about her
his ardent face poised over her
own.
"Oh no." Her own voice in
an unconvincing little gasp Just
before his lips crushed down on
her own in q kiss which seemed to
draw her heart between her lips.
The sunny marsh beyond the
deck rail-empty blue sky-Ken's
face bending over her-all swan
in q dizzy swirl to Ardeth.
The smell Of peeling paint !.
warm grass :. soft fippine of
water on the PROV Of . boat
ever after these things could send
the same hot magic leaping through
her blood.
A breathless hush closing down
about them, shutting them IN With
the drowsy hush Of the day.
Ardeth's head was flung back in
complete surrender. She gave uu
her lips to Ken's kiss as eagerly ~
the parcAed earth drinks rain.
The next moment reason reavoke
She forced herself out Of the man.
arms with . little gasp.
"Oh /. ;" abe said. "Oh . >
and she gave a shaky laugh"
He did not respond. His eye,
were dark-his lips compressed.
| "You darling !" His han.
shook as it went over the shinins
mass Of her hair. ''Darling . . Z
She was in his arms again. a,
after moment her own arms creu
up about his neck. A long momen
they stood silent In the sunshine
ken's face was buried In her haiI
His breath was hot on her ear. 6h
; could feel the pumpfNH az Mis- hAnv
shaking them both.
i In her heart Joy % KEEN tha& 4
was pain. She was trying 70 reai
Ire that. :. !. Ken-this was Ke,
who held her In . fierce embrece
ken's arms imprisoning her !, !. !,
J his voice. . husky whisper. ), : i,
He was kissing her closed eve
lids. Ardeth felt that little-eye,
; - little-w0uld make her CRY.
: Then he was kissing her again
crushing her lips until they hurt
And surging through her blood ,
primitive extltation Of strength
a moment sweet and heady cafry
ing her out Of herself % that s.,
clung like : wild thing, giving hin
back his kiss with equal ardor.
II It was the man who finally drev
away. He released her 20 suddenI,
that it left her startled. he turne,
away-walked to the rail and lit
. cigarette.
u Ths girl Asd sunk hAek o. Ii,