The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-22

stared 1t Stanley's partly averted
face and was ct once terribly
. afraid and terribly exultant;
afraid because never before had he
realized just how fragile was the
distance between the safety and
security Of friendship and the dam
ger and uncertainty Of love, ex-
ultant because it was % fragile. -
conceivably shattered.
And yet for them, for Stanley
and himself, he felt that this was
not true, that there was something
between them that no magic hour
Of intimacy would ever SKATER
and he looked away swiftly and
with stricken eyes.
II Stanley sensed anything dif-
ferent in this day from other days
they had shared together, she said
nothing. But her eyes were soft
with contentment and when she
talked her voice fingered tenderly
over careless words. She was per-
haps happier than she had been 1t
any time since Drew had left her.
Lets swim, John Harmon" she
suggested, sitting up abruptly,
yawning frankly. "We're being
much too lazy. Besides something
tells me this ID our last day out
here this year. Come on, tousls-
head, ri race you to the inn!"
She sprang up and was running
swiftly up the beach. But halfway
to the inn John Harmon's long legs
overlook her.
I'm no good" she admitted rue
fully. quite out Of breath. I'm all
out Of condition"
"What you need" John Harmon
told her. his eyes frowning. "is .
whole month ont here-away from
tho Office"
"I1l be away from the oflice soon
enough" Stanley's voice was DELHI
erately gay. but her eyes were wor-
ried. THAT girls coming back next
month. You know, the one whose
place took. ri b looking for .
Job again In . few weeks"
perhaps they'll keep you -
there"
SHOT Z chance" she shrugred
''but let's not talk about It today.
Today belongs TO 10, John Harmon,
let's not let anything spoil i'll"
They changed into their bathing
suits and went hack to the beach.
The water proved deceiving - III
gold and blue and sun-kissed on
the surface = singing cold and
touched with ice beneath.
They SWAN through it vigorously,
gasping .. little. thrilling 10 it,
chilly embrace. Stanlsy's scarlet
cap moved close to John Harmon's
wet, brown head, their eyes met
through Q blaze Of sun and drift
of spray.
"Don't you love e, John Har.
mont" SANKEY'S voice was ! gasp,
lost almost Immediately q IN enor.
nous wave rolled over her and
hung her. gasping and helpless,
Against John Harmon.
For . SCATTERING second she lay
IN his arms, her mouth slightly
parted. her eyes elinging 70 his
from beneath drenched lashes. For
. second he held her 90. his arms
closed tightly about her slim body,
his heart racing madly with min
| lsd terror and dslight-terror 1t
the fercely sweet desire the con-
tact aroused In him. delight 1t the
Sheer physical nearness and dear.
ness Of her.
Then be let her 60. Let her 70
out Of his arms. let her cut ahead
Of him. . streak Of scarlet, swim
ming under water. The ocean beat
against his body, washed against
his face. He SWAN after her furi.
ously, his eyes closed. "I've held
her In my arms" hs told himself
fisrcely, 1--WE held her against my
heart. But It must never happen
again. ! mustn't even think about
L. ] must put it out Of my mind
forget It ever happened TO me. It's
the only way ! can 60 on" And
even q these Wild, incoherent
thoughts tumbled over each other
IN rapid succession and the water
surged over his flushed face and
closed eyes, hs knew that he would
not forget and that be would 70 on
~ Il he had.
Ito Be csatisued)
Copyright. 1882, b. Allene Ceriiss
f1iane ihcnA6d - Xina HAnfsarAa EvnA;A.Ia -