The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-29
CHAPTER XxxIII

When Howard had gone Caroline
picked up the newspapers he had
brought and tried 20 escape her
thoughts in reading them. Her eyes
strayed to the column Of personal
items, and there she read that
Howard Dunsworth had been away
On . short hunting trip. The paper
dropped from her hands % her own
affairs rushed in upon her mind.
That was what he had told Gwen
dolyn, perhaps. Or his father. In
either case It was sickening that he
should b compelled to lie about
where he had been. Her mothers
funsral-and they had to b deceit
full about t.!
Tears Of humiliation trickled out
Of her eyes, although she shut them
tight % keep from weeping. She
was afraid, II she let herself 70,
that she would become hysterical,
for she was completely unnerved
and frightened, despite all her brave
talk 70 Howard, and she knew it.
She was still fighting her emo
lions, trying to reason sensibly with
herself when the telephone rang.
She answered it with q faint:
"Hello," and received IN ingratiat-
ing: "ls this Miss Rutledge! in
reply. Then, Is though Caroline's
voice had been recognized, the other
quickly resumed. aThis is Gwendo-
lyn Dunsworth. I'm 50 glad I
reached you"
Caroline barely succeeded in sup
pressing . gasp Of surprise. Gwen
dolyn seemed not to care to learn
il her call was welcome. II want
to tell you," she went on, speaking
rapidly but managing to introduce
Q note Of sympathy into her voice,
that I feel for you deeply in your
great loss"
Now she paused, and Caroline
forced herself to murmur something
about kindness.
II don't want you to think that
L.. misunderstand about How
ards being with you," Gwendolyn
said; although I'm sure you must
Caroline Was almost too aston.
ished to speak, and believing MI
that Howard had told her, she was
utterly unsuspicious Of Gwendolyn's
motives. "Why, ! :" she began
inconfusion. but Gwendolyn hastily
sOh, You do misjudge met" she
exclaimed. "But Howard has told
me al about it and I understand,
perfectly. The next time he sees
you ho win have good news for you.
and ! do wish you every happiness"
Caroline knew that she was watt
ine for her to say something. Never
had words been 90 elusive. Her
brain WAS whirling with exciting
thoughts and she could express none
Of them In speech. :.
"Do say that you arc pleased. "
Gwendolyn appealed TO her.
"Why, Of course" Caroline stam-
mered. "of course am pleased.
It's !. its very its beautifully
generous Of you, Gwendolyn!
There WAS . sharp, definite click.
Caroline looked blankly at tho in-
strument in her hand. The connec-
ton had been broken with . star
Ting abruptness.
She waited, thinking Gwendolyn
might ask to have it restored. But
after . while the thought that she
had rung Of with deliberate rude
ness became . painful conviction.
A the hours passed and Caroline
heard nothing more she fell : help
less prey to all sorts Of apprehen-
sions. Why hadn't Howard told her
what was happening? And Gwen
dolyn-why was she 20 sweet 1t
first and then moved to hang up like
thatl II only she knew where to
reach Howard!
She heard her father drive up 70
the house, leave the sedan In the
drive and come in the back door. He
started on up to his room without
stopping to speak to her. Suddenly
she ran from the living room and
called up the stairs TO him.-"Come
and have some coffee with me,
Father"
He turned and looked down, ct
her, standing with his hand on the
rail. His face was bloated. ugly.
"Co6ee?" he mumbled. mo, don't
vanish any, thansls."
Caroline shrank away. Back IN
tho living room she flung herself
into chair and sobbed. The prom
ise Gwendolyn had made seemed ut
terly false to her. She was lonely,
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