The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-21
CHAPTER XVI

.Are there better opportunities
with Purcell?"
"Say, listen, Mrs. Rutaedge
they're leaving Dunsworth behind
% fast they'll Be tapping around on
his tail before he knows it.! The
only thing Dunsworth's got il the
Rutledge Mask"
what is your ambition!"
TN be factory manager, sure
enough. And / can get stock in the
eompany-yes, ] know that's pit
fall with some concerns but Purcell
IL . white man"
Mrs. Rutledge smiled, Caroline
has worked magic for both Of rs, .
she said. II think I'll 20 up now.
I'm quite calm, don't you think?"
"You look happy enough to keep
her from suspecttng the danger she
was in" he assured her.
"I1l ask the doctor to let you
see her Is soon - it's safe" abe
promised him.
It was . week later that b was
allowed to 70 in for Just Ave min
utes. Mrs. Rutledge had prepared
him for the shock Of seeing Caro-
line 30 thin and pale that her skin
was like white silk stretched over Q
framework. But in spite Of her eau
ton be was barely able to hide his
feelings and smile naturally.
Caroline was pathetically pleased
b seo him. "Mother'a told me- Of
your good fortune" she said, LIFTING
! hand weakly for his eager clasp.
I'm awfully glad"
together" hs replied. I'VE can
Start . minute earlier and m drop
you Oh ct your place"
No false eheeriness, no obvious
lies shout her appearance. Just the
anquestioning assumption that che
would b hack 1t work presently.
When ho left he took her thought
with him. It was the drst time since
the early stages Of her illness that
she had dealt with any interest upon
veil.
It was another week bs4oro she
was allowed to read the newspapers.
Alva made . rule Of scanning them
drst % eco that they contained moth
ing.to upset her, but one day the
nurse carried up one she had not
read and Caroline found IN account
Of . party Gwendolyn had given IN
her new homo. Among the list Of
guests were very few persons Ghe
knew. Mr.. and Mrs. Morris Seaman
and that Florrins 4ontross - she
wondered what Howard thought of
them.
She had never been able 70 m
derstand his reason for marrying
Gwendolyn. It had been too cruel.
tying to try. Strange that she could
consider 10 now without feeling that
fierce stabbing pain in her heart.
Was she, she asked herself, falling
out Of love with Howard? Oh, she
wished she could wishsd sho could
put his smiling face out 81 her mann
ory-forget him altosetherl
Il almost seemed that che might
accomplish this, for less aud 1ess
often did she think Of him during
her long convalescence. But on
beautiful autumn day when tho sun
poured like liquid gold out Of clear
blue sky and she sat in her deck
chair, relaxed and warmed By il, ab-
sorbing it, living strength into her
weakened body, her eyes closed in
restful enjoyment Of the contont-
ment she felt, Howard came 10 call.
Mrs. Rutledge was away. Mrs.
Wade was back again for Q few
hours each day. She brought How
ards name to Caroline, but before
the girl could decide what 70 do
Howard appeared on the back porch.
II was afraid you would refuse
TO see me-" he apologized, 80 I fol-
lowed your maid through the house.
Mrs. Wade was waiting. Carolins
said: "lt's oil right, Jenny. Mr..
Dunsworth win stay"
He came over and lifted her hand,
bent his lips 70 it, blue-veined white.
ness. II heard only today" he said
brokenly.
It was Is though the touch Of hid
lips had cracked . shell, the shell
that time and pride had been build
ing around her heart. She could feel
: her love going ont 70 him Hike 4
pent-up stream. It was q coursine
ecstasy, wiping out bsrriers, bear.