The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-23
ENROLINEM!y Ry SRU REYtT

world? Caroline would proudly let
the first woman who wanted How
ard have free rein. Well,-Alva
shrugged,-if Howard were . man
worth keeping it would be really .
pity; rs it was, Caroline would suf-
fer and come to see at last that her
mistake was not fatal to her happi-
ness, Howard being Howard.
Howard came up and asked her
to dance. Alva felt it rs q chal-
lenge. She rose. A voice from the
door to the hall drew her attention.
Philip! Whatever in the world
was the matter with him!
She heard Caroline say: "Fa-
ther!" and saw her 60 swiftly to
his side.
Philip Rutledge presented . star
Ting appearance Is he stood before
his family and the roomful Of guests
that afternoon. The clear brown
eyes held . haunted, frantic express
sion. The thick gray hair that or
dinarily added to his distinguished
appearance was disordered. His
face was pallid, his lips working
nervously rs he sought to speak
calmly. Tall, straight and proud he
had been.
It stabbed Caroline with q pain.
full shock to see that he slumped,
that he seemed to have shrunk un-
der some crushing weight.
"Darlin1. what il it," she an
pealed to him.
Philip put IN arm weakly about
her shoulders. His eyes went past
her to those Of her friends, who
stood staring ct him in unconcealed
surprise. Most Of them were dane
ing merrily on, unaware that
trouble had stalked into their midst.
"Send them away" he said
hoarsely. "Cet them out Of here!''
Caroline went . bit white, but she
turned and said to the group that
was now pressing forward: I'm
sorry, something's gone wrong with
father. Please tell the Others"
She slipped m arm about her "a
TIERS waist. "Come UPSTAIRS" she
.Let me-" It was Alva, beside
her. "See your guests of. Caro-
line" the mother added.
Philip stifened. His glance had
fallen upon Howard Dunsworth.
keep Howard here" he said
sharply to his daughter. "When
the others are gone bring him to
the library"
In the hall Alva urged him to 60
to his room but he insisted upon
making his way to the library.
There he dropped YEARLY into Z
chair and asked for . drink. Alva
rang and ordered the wide-eyed
maid who answered to bring ice.
With . frozen-nerved efficiency she
mixed brandy and soda.
A few minutes later Caroline
came in with Howard. "Are you
Ill right now father?" she asked
anxiously.
toward : chair. Don't stand
Howard"
"But / really think /. is there
anything I can dol" Howard wal
obviously thinking he had no part
ii this family meeting.
Philip looked straight 1t him .,
he seated himself on the arm Of 1
chair. "Can't guess what it's al
about, can you?" the older man
asked bitingly:. "Didn't know I
thing about it,"
Howard looked annoyed, "You'rs
quite right, can't" he agreed.
mo, ! suppose not" Philip &C
quiesced, "Henry Dunsworth woull
hardly 30 likely to share his bust
mess condolences with you"
"Fatherl" Il was now Caroline
| who protested the biting sarcasm il
| his tones.
well, let Il pass" her fathe,
! said. 1--WE . surprise for you How
ard. I'm no longer Withholding m,
/ blessing from your proposed unio1
| with my daughter. ! give Il TO 20,
now IN the fullest degree."
i Such . statement st IN earlier
date would have added immeasur
| ably TO Caroline's happiness; nov
; shs felt only moro deeply troublss
Il by i.
That's very kind 81 you," How
] lard murmured unenthusiastically.
il Philip Rutledgs smiled bitterly
= . s (