The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-07
TNROLINEM!y Ry sRU R9EyF7

had done nothing, had known moth
ing to do, to save these fins old
things that could belong to no one
else in the world Is they belonged
to the Rutledges. Her Grandfather
Rutledge had said they were like
some family bibles. In the scars
and worn places could b read .
record Of the activities Of the fam
lily; in the patfna Of the furniture
and the mellowness Of the furnish
ings, its grace and culture.
Into Caroline's line Of vision Is
she stood there listening came . girl
in . bright red sports suit. The girl
had fair hair set in tight eurls that
framed spec Of . hat with . POM
pom at its apex Her eyes ct . dis
lance looked enormously large and
dark, due to artificial eyelashes.
Her health-revealing cheeks were
as pale rs white powder could make
them, but her lips were vivid, the
exact shade Of her costume, o., in
fact, were her finger nails. She was
not tall, but she was shapely II 4
sturdy, wholesome style.
Caroline knew her. Everyone
knew her, knew that she had been
christened Minnie and had changed
the name to Gwendolyn. This
change was typical Of her. Caro-
line had heard other girls say she
had delusions Of grandeur.
Her parents were very wen 70 do,
but plain and substantial eitizens,
into whom Gwendolyn was con-
stantly trying 70 inject greater So
ciAl ambitions. Papa Hoffman, did
not belong to the Country Climb, the
Squash and Racquet Club, the Rod
and Gun, % she would like him 70.
But he was known and respected By
many Of the men she would have
him emulate.
Gwendolyn wanted to fqegst his
start in business g . grocery clerk
It was her wish to fade out the
family background Of foodstul1s and
replace it with one filed with Q hur.
riedly-grown genealogical tree en-
blazoned with time-miSted erests
and impressive coats Of arms.
Regarded with amusement for
her pretensions BY the elite Of the
town she was, nevertheless, accept
ed BY them to . limited extent. Her
donations to their charities and her
interest in their Junior League ac-
tivities were welcomed, but she was
left out Of the intimate little par
ties attended only By those Of the
innermost circle Of the society to
which she ADMIRED.
OF this circle Caroline was
leader. Gwendolyn envied her. hat
ed her because she believed that
Caroline had turned thumbs down
on her.
And now she WAS buying Caro-
lines pet pictures-her treasured
Currier and Ivesl
Caroline saw one Of the pictures
IN Gwendolyn's hands, saw her put
it down on . table where the others
lay. 1nstinctively she moved toward
the drawing room. Gwendolyn WAS
Speaking to her companion. : girl
Caroline scarcely knew. Her voice
was raised. Al Caroline drew near
she heard her say: "And I'm going
70 have these. Aren't they deli
cious brought them down myself
from her bedroom. The auctioneer's
going to sell them with tho stun
down here 50 I won't have to wait
around"
Wait around! In Q house that
had never before been open to heri
Caroline's eyes blazed. Her indiR-
nation appeared 70 make itself felt
by the other two girls. They looked
ct her. Gwendolyn hesitated, then
exclaimed cooinely. "Oh, good IT.
ternoon. Miss Rutledge. I didn't ex-
pect to So you here. Il we'll,
she interrupted herself With . Gig
gly laugh. a.. it must - terribly
hard for you. ! mean. losing just
Caroline's Indignation turned e
m icy anger. Really I" shc s.id
with IN insolent drawl. 'sYour pres.
ence is . surprise to me, too, Miss
Hoffman,. I had no idea you could
POSSIBLY care for old family posses.
sions such Is ours" She smiled and
moved on. making her way through
the throng the auctioneer was In.
ranguing, TO his side.
j Just : moment, please" she said
haughtily when hs paused 1t sight
Of her there. Il am sorry to inter.
rupt but there are some picture.
here that ! do not wish sold. Hayl
You . man about to carry them on
to my car? I'm Miss Rutledge,
think you know"
"Yes, yes, sure, Miss Rutledee.
know you. But can't the matte
: waltz 7 don't like % stop right
4 now