The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-10-15
CHAPTER I

Friday, the nineteenth day Of
December in the year 1880, had be-
gun much like any other day in
Susan Broderick's life.
At half past eight she had sat
down to breakfast with the family
just % usual. And it had been the
regular Friday morning breakfast
OF stewed prunes, creamed Goldfish
on toast and coffee.
When it was over she had gone
upstairs to help with the Friday
morning cleaning-the changing Of
sheets on the old black walnut beds,
the scrubbing Of the two big chilly
bathrooms, the sweeping Of the
worn chenille carpets.
Lunch had been 1T one o'clock,
just rs it usually was. At three
o'clock Susan and Lutte Broderick,
the younger Of her two aunts, had
bundled up in their fur coats and
come walking downtown through
the first heavy snowfall Of the sea-
son to buy . Christmas gift or two
and change their books ct the Pub
lie Library. They always returned
their books on Friday or Saturday
and took out new ones to tide them
over the dullness Of the weekend.
Il was five o'clock now. The sky
above the electric lights Of South
Main Street was the peculiar dark
luminous blue Of winter twilight
and, as the two women came out OF
the library, the five o'clock whistles
began to blow, their sound muted
and made silvery by the snow that
had been falling over the city al
day long.
"This is what they call the blue
hour in Paris, Susan" the older
woman said, clinging to Susan's
arm Is they descended the slippery
steps that led to the pavement. "The
years ago W always used to drop
in at the Ritz or Rumpelmayers for
tea or chocolate 1t this time Of day:
I'D like some now" she added
wistfully. "I'll tell you what we
can do-When we 60 up to Harris
to look ct those little lace face pill
lows that ! want to get for your
Aunt Edna we can take the eleva-
tor up to their tearoom and charge
. little something to eat. Cheese
dreams or something light like
that"
'.Just enough to spoil your girlish
figure, Lutte" Susan said looking
down 1t the heavy face that was
on > level with her own shoulder: II
was Lutte Broderick's cross that
she could not eat al that she wanted
and 1t the same time remain slender
and willowy like Susan who ate
what she wanted and kept the wand
like figure Of the twenties In spite
Of IL.
At forty-seven Lutte had not yet
given up hope Of marrying and liv-
ing happily ever after. She wore
her dark hair in . single bob,
painted her pale lips with > flaming
shade Of iipsSlck and was always
very. bright and lively Is though
she had made up her mind never to
surrender herself to the dizziness
and dreariness Of her spinster life.
Every morning she went through 9
series Of exercises that she called
her "upsetting exercises" and at
night she bound up her double chin
with q rubber strap that fastened
ct the top Of her head.
II suppose you're right about
eating between meals" she admit
ted now - she trudged along past
the store fronts that lined the
crowded streets. "Only ! do get
such m empty feeling this time of
dav-O
Harris was the largest depart
ment store in the state. 1t was
housed in ! white marble building
thdt rose ten stories in the air. and
It covered an entire city block. An
entire city block filed with the
things that women covet-furs and
dresses, grape scissors and garden
ing gloves, draperies and diamonds,
lingerie and laundry baskets.
French perfume and bath cham
payne, ironing boards and ice
cream freezers. The Brodericks
had had charge account there for
thirty years, and Lutte knew the
place as she knew her own home.
Thanks, We can find our way
about" she said in her most girlish
manner to the door walker who
came up to her and Susan in the
main aisle Of the store. "We're 60
ing back to the linens"
Susan followed her through the
crowded aisles to . counter near
the elevators where q tired-looking
saleswoman dropped above crisp
lace and embroidery. yawning be-
hind three fingers Of her hand.
"I'd like to see the little face pill
lows that you have on sale today"
Lutte said to her.
1--WE have some for . dollar
ninety-eight-"
"0h. nothing like that! want