The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-08
{H$2 s&!l,[.1llS|BEaR||Ea|

Of the car. Her mouth was like .
soft dark flower. The young fell
lows face grew tender.
"Don't be afraid, Ardeth," he
said softly. "Just trust me :. =,
just give me . chance. III make
things come right for u.s."
She stood on the pavement,
watching the red tail-light Of his
car disappear about the corner
and, ~ always, the chill sense OF
forlornness crept over her.
Why should she feel this, she
thought with . sharp sensation Of
alarm, on this night Of al nights
when Ken had told her that he
loved her3 When they had spoken
Of being married?
In the Dark.
This was silly nervousness! This
was borrowing trouble! Ken's
mother couldn't keep them apart II
they really loved each other. She
must not let doubt creep into her
love for him. She must be strong.
The glamour Of the night fell
away as she walked down the
street toward the Harrison flat,
shrinking inwardly from the ring
Of her own heels on the cement.
Things - unpleasant common.
place things. relegated to the
corners of her mind-stole out to
overwhelm her. The old, gray life
closing In on her. The shab6iness
the bickering-Aunt Stel's nag.
ging-Neil's watchful, black eyes
and the faint, irritated fear hs
could always rouse in her. The
present stretched before her like q
gray bridge which she must cross
70 reach that bright future with
Ken.
She went softly up the steep
steps Of the flat and let herself
In with her latchkey. The familiar
musty smell Of the hall crept about
her a. she closed the Ioor quietly.
II brought . feeling Of depression
and guilt. Aunt Stel would b
furious because she hadn't come
home for dinner. Ardeth hoped she
was In bed-too wearying to talk
to Aunt Stel tonight.
She had turned to grope her way
to the staircase which led 70 the
upper fiat when she started and
stifled . small scream.
A tall figure looming before her
IN the dark hall. The weak Kleam
Of tho street lamp nlterine An
through the colored glass panel of
the door lit Neil's face.
He grasped her wrist. ''Where'ye
you been?" he asked between
clenched teeth.
Ardeth wrenched her arm avav
and looked back at Neil With IN.
Try eyes.
II told you to stop this! Com.
Ing. at mo suddenly like this and
asking questions! What business
ID II Of yours3"
"Ill make It my business when
You stay out at this hour Of the
night with other fellows. Think I
didn't see you down ct the Gomez
-necking with that Cleason FL.
low! III knock his head Off"
She telt her face flame In the
dark. "Understand this oncs And
for al. Neil. I'm not : child Who
needs your supervision! You leave
Her voice shook with ANGER. h,,e
she Kept It cautiously low. IL
Aunt Stel woke up and ca,ne o,,e
to find them quarreline e vonIS
mean . scene. A little sick ~.
ING y her heart. Shameful 20 s.
Standing here quarreling WITH Nh
On this magic night when Ken hsd
told her he loved her
Nell" she spoke With une..
pected gentleness. "Don't let's a.
IKE this. Why do W alvavs Hskt
when We meet lately1"
Neil threw off the rentla it'll
hand she had placed On III ~.
ma a.. spoke IN cold contempt.
thrown me down for tile
etner Guy, haven't you. Ardetr$
Like al the rest Of the rotten a..
malesl Let . fellow spend monsv
on ,yon and everyone else can IS
She was suddenly scorched with
anger. That's rotteny' she blaxed.
Ken hasn't money! Hes 10 ~.
eer OFT than youl He's supportine
his mother on his salary-yes. md
DO isn't bitter and doing : lot al
paS,e 1a', az :n =! rantins about II the
CseTisht. iaae. b KiqE Features ssndiea,A Ia
AIs d Centi4us1)