The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-17
CHAPTER XLv1


"Curtis!" There was . sharp
note Of terror in Joan's voice now.
She stopped, and tried to search his
face in the dim starlight. "Curtis,
do you mean that because be
cause Of what told you-you don't
want to marry me?"
She turned away from him,
all the happiness going out Of her,
like the air from 4 punctured bal
loon. "Oh, why doesn't he speak to
me? Why doesn't he tell me he
didn't mean that" It seemed
hours before the words came:
Don't be silly. JOAN"
"Silly!"
Notwithstanding a lot Of rot.
Listen, Joan-are you listening?
Well then, was just thinking out
loud, thinking about al the futile
marriages 81 thought you'd under
stand. I thought l could say what
l thought, and you'd understand
me. without flying up in the air, and
imagining"
He stopped and kissed her, and
his words ended in . moan, II do
love you-Joan-I do love you-so
much"
She felt the throbbing sincerity
Of his whispered cry. A cry almost
of pain. Her small, cold hand
found his. They stopped and stud
led each other hungrily, in the dim,
deserted street. Sometimes I dom I
understand you, Curtis. Sometimes
l think that you do not understand
me. But if we love each other
isn't that all that matters? Won't
you forgive me. if sometimes I
fail?"
"Just love me-" he said hoarsely.
"Just do that. Joan-that's all I
ask"
And they went on in the dark,
thinking their alien, lovin &
thoughts.
Il must be morbid, imagining he
meant that"
The minutes melted away. They
were almost 1t Maisie's door. She
was lifting her head to say good
night. A man was standing in the
doorway. He slipped into the shad-
Owls as they came near. .
"Why Joan, you're trembling!'
Curtis cried.
"It's NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. man
frightened me"
"You are upset, Joan. It's moth
ing, Just some honest citizen wait
ing for his girl friend. got . good
look ct him under the light, he was
no burglar"
"Yes-I am upset, nervous. So
many things in one night. Curtis,
please unlock the door for me-I'm
too shaky-'
He did so, and gave her back the
key. Good night dear"
"Good night!
The small gilt cage Of the eleva-
tor was waiting at the end Of the
lower hall, but she didn't 60 to it.
She tore madly up the red-ca.peted
stairs, breathless, painting: Whim-
Joan flung open the door, hurled
herself into Missiles arms, almost
knocking her over.
well, for heavens sake-John-
nie-what-"
"Oh, Maisie- outside ~ saw Bill
Pm almost sure it was he. l
looked-and he turned away.
know it was Bill-I'm SURE Of it,
She was gripping Maisie's fat arms
10 hard that It hurt. "What do you
think he wanted? Why should he
be coming back now-after-after
that night he came here"
"Now, now" Maisie soothed, you
don't even know it was him. He
wouldn't come back-not him-now
you stop imaginin' things. ! de-
clare I never saw such : girl for
thinkin' the worst!" She smiled,
and piuched Joan's cheek. @Now
you do think the worst always,
don't you7 And it never happens
does IL"
Joan thought Of Curtis, dear,
faithful Curtis, and oil the TRACE
dies she had conjured up there.
She INST Maisie's smiling eyes. u
On Z gloomy one, aren't II"
"You certainly are. An. I'm
ashamed Of you, thinlin' mp trou-
blss for yoursslf, and everything ii
the world TO make you happy-
y know, Maisie, ! know. ] guess
you're right" Y
" knov I'm right" =
But after joan's door WAS closed,
and the Persian kitten was put %
bed, Maisie opened the front win
dow softly, and hung out Of It 4
long time, searching the shadows.
She couldn't see anyone. She put I
kitchen chair under the doorknob in
the kitchen. the lock wasn't very