The Bismarck tribune., 1934-09-24
CHAPTER XVIII

VdAFxGh AAvll1
Caroline's fear for her own han
piness melted in pity for him.
She could indeed imagine how
Gwendolyn took advantage Of his
loyalty to his father. His selfish,
greedy father.
II understand" she said eneour.
agingly and reached out for his
hand: TITS like . milestone, isn't it
duty"
'Then you're not going to be like
the others and make it more diff
cult for me :" Howard pressed eag-
erly. "You will let me take care Of
you, darling?"
Caroline was silent, thinking, for
. long moment before she answered
Howard's query. Then her head
moved slowly in negation.
That would be too involved" she
said, smiling at him in IN appeal
for his understanding. 1.-THE sort Of
thing that leads to trouble, think.
I'm sorry, dear, but I have m in
stinct against it. Absurd, no doubt,
but I'm afraid I cant help it. And
please don't worry about me. After
oil, ] can't even think Of going back
to work for weeks yeti"
"You don't think I'm going 70 let
you 20 back to that factory. do
you?" Howard exploded.
Again Caroline felt that depress-
ing premonition Of delay in clearing
the obstacles that stood between
them.
II should certainly stop you even
Il ! had to 90 to Dad about it." he
added in . tone that belittled her
seriousness. Caroline did not like it.
"That wouldn't be fair Of you, y
shs told him, land II You did 10
should simply 60 to Purcell's.
mean should If I had to-"
You mean you would rather
work in . factory than accept few
paltry dollars from me- Don't you
think that's punishing me pretty
Severely. Caro?"
Suddenly tears smarted In the
girls eyes. She was too weak to ar
Cue, but there was no surrender in
The tight line Of her lips, % she
closed them against further words.
"You see," Howard went on. un-
needing. Il don't know when We can
b married. In any case It must Be
months from now. In the mean
Cardinals dropping lips flashed
b divorce you?" she challenged.
"0f course" he said with . readi-
ness that implied truth in his words.
Then he paused, and added re-
proachfully: Really, Caro-, that
question shows . very unhattering
lack Of confidence in me"
He had the hurt look Of . small
boy. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Caroline re-
pented instantly. "t'm on edge, Tn
afraid. Don't mind me. please"
"Stili, you have . right to know" "
Howard said magnanimously, and
Caroline did not suspect that he
had grasped at the chance TO de-
velop his story IN his own way.
'Cwen laughed at me. She doesn't
want . divorce" he told her.
Caroline drew herself up, star
tied "But Howard! You said she
realised that It's all . terrible mis-
"That's true, she does. But she
hasn't found anything better. I'm
I'll she does, or Dad gets out from
under, I'm tied, Caro-. Il looks
pretty hopeless, doesn't it? But It
isn't. Ovens sure to change her
mind eventually. And now you see
Why It is ridiculous and-yes, in
considerate-for you to refuse to
do o I ask"
Caroline was staring 1t him, mis-
"I'm afraid" she said haltngly.
"that I hadn't thought Of Gwendo-
lyn's wanting to keep you. i makes
cverything-diferent."
"Don't nay that, please" Howard
beeged. II love you, Caro-. ] can
never b happy without you. Don't
let me down. All we have to do is
wait. Once before asked you 70 do
that but you wouldn't. And see
what happened" He had grasped
her hands, now he released them
and caught her by the shoulders.
Don't let me 70 through this alone.
need you. Caro- darling. ] need
you'll"
His unhappiness tore at Caro-
lines resistance with the appeal Of
. heartbroken, helpless child. She
dropped : hand gently on bis bowed
head and rnn her fingers over his
glossy hair With soft, caressing mo-
tions. Her lips curved IN . faint,
for9iving. wiStful smile.
ITS all right" shs said softly.