The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-23

II still disapprove Of you," he said
frankly, make no mistake about
that" He turned to Caroline. "I've
q surprise for you too" he said,
land Alva. A rotten surprise. I'm
sorry about it."
"Philip!" It was . cry Of dis
tress from his wife. He transferred
his haunted gaze to her face. eyes,
it will be rotten for you" he said,
almost as though he spoke to him.
self. "But Caroline's different. She's
young and little hard and she's .
Rutledge. Perhaps we haven't been
exactly the wisest parents in the
world, Alva, but she has character
in spite Of US. ] hate to give her
to . Dunsworth, but she wants him
and it's the only way she'll ever get
her rightful inheritance"
"Father, what are you talking
about"
Howard had risen. Delightful
conference" he began acidly but
Caroline cut him short. "Wait,"
she said imperiously. Then, to her
father: "Please explain it MI to us"
she begged. ITS rather awful not
to know"
EYES," he said, mo doubt. It's
very simple, child. Henry Duns-
worth has ruined me. The bank sold
him my notes. I don't know where
he got the money, but he came down
on me without mercy. But for him
I'd have got through" He looked
up at Howard. "Sharp man, your
father" he said dispassionately.
Alva, stricken to silence, sank un-
noticed into . convenient chair.
Howard showed by his expression
that he was genuinely unprepared
for this news. Caroline, suppress
ing q cry Of remonstrance, stood
rigid, waiting. Howard broke the
silence.
Philip smiled wanly. eve never
quite understood, Howard" he said
slowly, show you've dared to defy
your father by keeping to your en-
gagement with Caroline. It's the
one thing about you that has kept
me from threatening to behead her
il she married you"
Howard stirred uneasily. n
manned silent.
"Take him out and talk 70 him."
Philip said to Caroline. you've
. lot to settle, you two. Henry's
next move will be to break you up
l-tha.t,.s! certainly plain enough"
"Philip, dear" Alva was beside
him, . hand on his brow. Caroline
wavered, saw that she could not
keep Howard longer in her fathers
presence, and with . breathless:
Lets get outside" rushed ont Of
the room.
/ In the hall Howard said: "Why
not talk in the living room? I cant
stay long. Caro-"
Caroline paused, vaguely dis
tressed at something in his voice, at
his attitude. "All right" she said
simply and led the way to . long
sofa before the fire.
Howard sat rather stifly beside
her. She reached out . hand and
found his fingers limp, unrespons-
i've. She misunderstood.
! "Of course, Il can't make any dif.
ference to u.s." she said encourae.
ingly. II mean-that it was your
father who did it"
| "No," Howard agreed. that
doesn't matter. They were enemies
befors W were born" His voice
lacked warmth, and Caroline was
conscious Of . subtle Withdrawal. .
break in their understandings Of
each other. And Howard had not
offered . word Of sympathy. Per.
haps he Was hurt that his father
had done this to them-moved too
deeply for words.
81 can't quite comprehend t." ~
said. 1T seems unreal, althouGn !
suppose its IN old story 70 mil1ioue
Of people. It's Just that I nsvor
to father"
"Don't you think you'rs too upsst
70 talk about it," Howard inquired
5No," she said definitely. s1,m
calm, really. want to talk about
Il. ! couldn't do anything else, and
I wouldn't like 70 bother father With
questions just now"
!. Ito 10 Continued)
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