The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-09
krM MA CINDERELLA
q >by Harold Bell Wright

pitcher, miss?"
Ann Haskell had approached q
within . few feet Of Diane 20 81
lently that the young woman was
unaware Of her presence until that
harsh voice broke in upon her medi.
tation.
"Ohls exclaimed the startled
girl. "You frightened me"
The mountain woman stared u
her. "You amt got no call TO Be
afeared Of me yet. Why amt you
maxim no pitcher? This hyear
stretch q rivers SURE pretty 'nough
Embarrassed By the woman'a
steady gaze, Diane answered that
she was thinking. With an attempt
ct . smile she added: Zone cannot
work oil the time, you know"
"Huhl Seems like some Of rs has
to. That thar Cinderella woman in
the story she SURE never done moth.
in but work"
Diane WAS silent and the noun
tain woman smiled grimly. II tuck
notice you war in . right smart Of
. study. What you studyin' 'bout1''
Diane tried to answer. but the
other interrupted, impatiently:
"Never mind. ! know what's
a-botherin' you. Hits the same
thing that's a-botherin' me. I been
a-studyin' bout hit, an a-layin'
awake nights over hit till hits got
me plum wore out. come TO settle
hit with yoI once an fer all
Ann Haskel's words and manner
amounted to s direct challenge.
Danes head went up with thl
old Carol pride. The Carol CHR
was lifted defiantly, "very we'll
Mrs. Haskell. ] s0as thinking about
John Herbert, and about you. too
The mountain woman was . little
disconnected BY the readiness Of the
admission and BY DANES fearless
acceptance Of her challenge.
"Mebbe you'll say what you val
a-thinkin' bout my boy an met"
II was thinking" Diane said.
boldly, chow unfortunate Il IL that
John Herbert could not have had
. mother with intelligence enough
to undertand and appreciate him.
Ann Haskell, for Q moment,
seemed stunned By the unexpected
reply. Then she glared @ Il she
were on the point Of making Z
physical attack upon the outspoken
young woman.
Without yielding an inch, Diane
remarked. coolly. II suppose you
expect me to speak frankly?"
II Amt one to be skeered at
straight talk" the other returned.
erimly. Think K, J don't know my
"Know him7 How could you7
You are too set In your own back.
woods ideas to even tvy to under.
stand him"
"Mebbe so: then ag'in. mebbe not.
] reckon % how you think Won sure
'nough know John Herbert?"
II do"
sMind tellin' me what you Tow
you know bout my boy?"
The young woman chose her
words carefully: 81 think. Mrs.
Haskell, that John Herbert has 81.
ceptional ability and that his sue.
cess IN his chosen work IL certain.
His natural talent amounts almost
to genius. His intellectual attain.
menCS are very great. He has every.
thing which goes to make . great
writer. In any company Of well.
bred. educated, intelligent people
your son would 30 recoenized ia
appreciated for what DO t." Her
cheeks flushed, but she went on reso-
lutely: 1T il quite impossible for
anyone Of your character and r..
norance to understand or value the
mind and spirit Of Z man like John
Herbert. For you. his own mother.
70 Judge him BY your low, illiterate.
and lawless backwoods standard II
1T 10 wicked-positively wicked.
his deep sense Of obligation TO you
and his splendid loyalty @ your son
may cause him 70 throw himseif
away In IN effort to live the sorf az
LITE you evidently want him to live q
Being his mother does not rive Won
the right TO ruin him. You mishf
better kill him and have done vith
=. You e!s trying to kill oil that 10
you've sure been studyin' ri~ht
smart bout Herb an me- dravls6
Ann. Nights well tell lii III vhiIs
you 70 a-tellin'."
Except for the blush which -.
could not control. Diane eave ma
sign that she understood ths
mountain woman,s insinuation.
Ann Haskell persisted. SYou AIM
s-ws g to marry ny BOY. s.
"Yorr son ha. never mentioned
the subject, Mrs Haskei.s i ST.
fetorted. warmly. Defantlv ~
edded: III be should ask M ana 7
cnoss 60 accept ! doubt Il even you
"Shucksl Your kind don't nev.r
nsfIZ 70 man lessen he's eot ,ncr.
~. ats easy to 80 you ar iest
e-playin' with him. Herb;s to- 49, ~.
- tsl -. sacn g you. ! got that mueh "a
g . s1n,ssnkful fer. tany rata.s :
,,r. mnlcn only shows again you,
wretcned ignorance" Diane ref twr.
|ed X can't iuaasina ~ n