The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-08
CHAPTER XIV.
<<A ROTHER didn't have q soul
to turn to after father

nv to turn to after father
died-no relation, that
IL. And she was too proud to tell
friends-even the Parkers. Be-
sides-she was afraid I'd know.
That is would affect my future.
I'd Just entered college and she
was determined that I'd have those
four years free Of worry or econ
omies. There was no money to
send me to college, but she found
q way.
Ken drew a long breath .,ut his
voice shook.
"She sold all her jewelry. She
told me she was going to Europe
to travel until I finished my four
years. She got q miserable hole
Of . room in furnished house.
She crawled into this hole-cut her
self away from everyone-so she'd
keep the truth from me. Her let
tiers 70 me were sent to . friend
in England and remailed. I never
knew the difference until she was
taken so III that they took her to
the city hospital. Ill, because shed
actually starved herselfw
His voice was stifled. "Ihen I
learned all about the whole crazy,
dreadful. splendid scheme!
"Lord-that place she'd been
living, Ardeth! A dark hole Of .
place in Z disreputable neighbor-
hood - my poor. proud little
mother. Wall paper with damp
spots of mold. Leaking gas.
Ardeth, l sat down and cried like
4 baby when ! saw it.
"She nearly died. ! felt IS il l
rad killed her. Even il it was
wronx-and unnecessary, she'd
done it f6r me. She's been sickly
ever since. And I'm the only thing
she has, Ardeth. to care for"
Conflicting Emotions.
Ken stopped speaking and for
. moment there was only the faint
splashing in the lake to break the
silence. A moment, .remulous,
with the beauty Of the evening
weaving through it, 50 that Tor;
ever after the girl remembered
this Is . time Of perfumed dusk
and the black branches interlaced
against . grey sky where silver
stars looked through. Poignant
JOY stealing though her, singing
tears to her eyes. =:
As though he sensed this, Ken
drew her into his arms, his mouth
..L~A Ao,.,v ~ hor ahodneRyv linz
Sweetheart Sweetheart
;, :" came his muffled whisper.
cYou do love me? Say it, Ardeth!
"Oh, Of course dov It was
more Of . sob than q spoken ad-
mission. "You know / dov
Clinging to him with closed eyes
and eager lips. Content only to be
in his arms. Content to let the
future take care Of itself.
He felt that her face was wet.
Tasted the salt Of her tears on his
lips and his arms frightened.
"My GiTl-," his voice came
smothsred against her hair. mad
about you from the first. :.
lovely golden thing, you"
The light had darkened per-
eeptibly when Ken spoke again.
sWcll have to 60 . little slow ct
hrst, sweetheart ] have g con-
cider mother, you know. II ] went
20 her and told her We've were
going 70 be married. It would be
sort 81 . shock to her. You know
how old people are, Ardeth. And
1 don't want 20 hurt her II can
help it. We don't want to. hurt
anyone with our happiness, do we
Gwesthsart7"
His face WAS 4 white blur In
the thick light when she glanced
s1:os course. Il III. knew you .he
couldn't help but love you. ! only
wish ] could take you to her this
minute and say. Mother, here's my
grill We're going to be married.
that's what I'd like to do, Ardeth.
hut xathsx's-ysll. shs'i . tsine