The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-18
'STOLEN LOVE-
by HAZEL@LIVtNoSTON

Curtis plans were almost ready.
His mind was made up. Sleepless
nights, days Of indecision
couldn't 60 on that way. Every
day brought the wedding nearer.
the wedding that couldn't be. He
must break the news to his mother.
soon. She would be very angry.
Take to her bed probably, and have
one Of those eonfounded nervous
attacks.
After oil, you couldn't blame her,
it would be embarrassing for all
concerned. Still theirs wouldn't be
the first engagement to be broken
at the last moment. Shed get over
it. Be glad enough to have him TO
herself again. He might even take
her to Europe for q few months,
she had always wanted that.
And Joan what about Joan?
There 60 again." he thought mis-
erably, making . fool Of myself
over her. A lot she has worried
about my happiness! She can take
care Of herself-she's had expert
ence enough. Oh, Johnnie, John
nie-to think Of what might have
been!
The wealthy Dutchman who had
served as meal ticket and entertain
ment committee al winter had gone
East in the spring, and for once in
her life Ruth Gillespie was without
"a boy friend" OF course, there
was Rollo Keyes, bombarding her
with letters, and slightly stale
chocolates from the South-but he
was too far away to count.
She was on her way home, feel.
ing Glow in her mind" in spite Of the
new black satin outfit that had cost
five weeks salary, and made her
look like . Baron de Meyer photo
graph, when someone called her
name-"Ruth!"
She wheeled sharply. "Great
Scott Will'um - where did you
drop from!"
"You sure don't look it. Dear old
London, or little old N. York's more
like it. Stand still and let me look
at you. II it isn't good just to do
that. Say, if you aren't the lemon
doing the disappearing act that
way, though-and me crying my
eyes out, thinking you didn't love
me any more!"
She looked into his eyes, and
laughed, her charming bubbling
laugh. The little dimple near her
mouth quivered, her round brown
eyes danced with merriment.
He grinned, and took her arm
Come on to . beanery. I've been
waiting on the corner, watching
your darned old millinery window
for IN hour. Thought you'd never
shut up shop. If that isn't . sign
Of love, on the part Of hungry
! waiting for me-or joan" she
asked quickly, and could have bit
her tongue on the next moment.
Fool. To remind him
"Joan-is she still workinr?"
j .Some might call it that"
j But he looked 50 cold and
strained she added quickly. ooh
You know what I mean-she's Ma.
danes pet-goes home any old
time. That's how you've missed
her. Say-how long have you been
waiting outside for Joan, passing
ma up, eh?"
4 "Not very long" he said. "Care
where We eat? u grill oil right?
Let's 60 to one Of those places
where they have booths, I want to
talk % you-Gosh. It's besn . long
time"
i Eyes, I know what you want "a
talk about" she Thought. readinr
his still boyish face, his candid blue
eyes. "Joan!" And she answered,
i Anywhere ~ Ill, Will'um, honey
here, at Fred's will do"
At dinner she chartered for . lie.
tie while, cleverly putting him at
his ease again. Gay, friendly Ruth
IL But over the coffee and ci9arettek
he came back to the thing that was
on his mind, the thing he had come
70 ask. II understand Joan Is eoiE-:
% b married soon"
"Oh yes-they're making quite Z
fuss about it. Pictures IN the na-
pers and what not. It seems our
Johnnie is some kind Of biz pota-
. toes herself-"
sently.
Joan!" ~
II know al about her people," he
/ amended. "They are Z very old
family, sort Of . tradition. Every.
. one IN Marin knows their properly.
and ] :ppposs the old timers o. this
~ 81