The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-09

rienced, with her red mouth screwed
into . pucker, and her long legs dou-
bled up under her on the daven-
port, not Offering . single, helpful
suggestion. Not at all the sort Of
girl who could really help Curtis.
Still, she was well connected. Every
one knew of the Van Fleets. Every
one had heard stories Of the lavish
hospitality Of the old days. The
prancing bays the old man had sent
from ireland. The coachman in
plum-colored cloth. Pity they
lost everything still everyone
remembered one Of the first
families j.
II know they'll be >awfully angry
with me STILL" Joan went on tim
idly, not wanting Mrs. Barstow to
count on them too much, and be too
disappointed.
Nonsense. They'll come, Joan.
!. Curtis. Must / ask the Earring
tons! Oh dear. suppose SO, and
they're 80 dull -"
cts going to be q terrible even
ing" Curtis smiled. "You'll never
see 50 many stuffy old persons
gather together in ono place again,
Joan: Think you can stand it,"
."ITl try!" If only Aunt Ev-
Vie and Aunt Babe will stay away
don't let them come /. !. don't
let them come
The dinner was to be on . Thurs
day, and all the four days before,
Joan spent with Aunt Evvie and
Aunt Babe on her mind. She
couldn't forget them. They followed
her around, all the days ct the shop,
I'll the nights when she should have
been sleeping, and the hours when
she was sleeping she dreamed about
them.
Aunt Evvie even crowded out the
other thoughts J. thoughts Of Con-
ME Howard, with her black hair and
her sulleu, insolent eyes /. thoughts
Of Bill. and Ruth and Rollo
Aunt Evvie was like that, brush.
Ing everything else aside.
But, OF course, they won't come.
They never 60 anywhere. It's crazy
% have to worry about it still
! wonder il they are coming -"
II would be have been easy to ask
Mr1. Barstow, but somehow she
didn't. IF they are coming. I'd
rather not know"
Joan wore the pale blue dress
that Francine couldn't sell, with .
9reat spray Of gardenias from Cur.
tds. on her shoulder. She looked very
young and appealing. Mrs. Bar.
stow could find nothing to criticize.
and Curtis was radiant with pride.
The Farleys, middle-aged and
shrtveled came first. Then An
Moses. very magnificent in coat
tails and black velvet, family smell.
ing Of moth balls. Mrs. Thompson
bent and kissed Joan, q hard fittle
peck Of . kiss. $50 this n Curt;s's
bride-to-be! And I remember Hin
when he was that high. and Iva
csaed when she had to cut his hair
-: Do you remember, Benjamin?"
0ug benjamin was too busy ap.
praising Joan. He was . very AT
man with little goatee, and brown
liver spots on his sallow face. He
kissed her too. Greedily. HI'm yonr
Uncle Benjie!" he wheezed.
Joan was glad when she could ~es
away. The Giddings, distant cousins
Of the late Mr.. Barstow werent "a
bad: They didn't stare the way the
Farleys and the Moses did.
The other guests were younger
people, most Of whom she knew ri.
Eeedy. And Aunt Evvie and Aunt
babe weren't therel II knew thev
wouldn't come II knew xhev
wouldnt!S But she had expecteS
them ). even yet she kept loolk.
ing q the door /. WONDERING.
Dinner was late, they must Be v'aiIs
inG TOR someone.
At last Aunt Evvie came.
Joan felt her coming, thoueh hAr
back WAS turned. Heard her mai.
rumble, the polite murmurines a.
people being introduced, "Miss Va
Fleet. Joan's aunt"
Her knees were knockfnr. Sh>
dared not turn around. Re- wasnss
TAR to have TO face Aunt EWie
here. Mrs. Barstow should have ~
her. let them meet outside.
Joan dear" Curtis VA - -,
elbow, 70 bring her to Aunt EN-.
She had to 50. '''s'
Ito Be Continued Tomorrow