The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-02-06
CHAPTER I
AFTERMATH

=
AFTERMATH
NTUST the same" said John Tai
bot 70 his brother with . ges
- ture Of futility, a. they stoot
ct the San Francisco docks, "You'rs
. fool, Mark. You've got everything
70 hold you back in Spring Brook
everything that the average person
wants"
"Everythingl" Mark snapped
Everything means . respectable
roof and three meals . day, ! sup.
pose. A chance to rot IN an Office,
and q chance to marry . Connect.
cut belle. Spring Brook and the law
"Do you think I dew clear across
the country" queried John sarcas.
tically, "just 70 hear you repeat
your objections 70 sans living?"
Mark Talbot looked at bis brother
with that sullen expression which
had become habitual Of late. e Was
- Il be had some means Of erecting
. frowning psychic wall between
them.
"You're . queer duck!" said John,
staring ct his brothers profile
against the glowing western sly.
A real Talbot hs thought-so like
himself IN appearance. but %
young, % independent, % restless.
He hadn't really understood Mark
since the War; something had sev.
cred them. John sighed. and tried
again. II don. mean just that,
Mark" he said. 81 mean, you
should consider the family-Mother
and sister, and. for that matter,
myself. Not money, or material
things, but-well, domestic security.
and the Talbot tradition"
"You mean smugnesS and dry
rot" interrupted Mark sharply.
"Just because you're married and
harnessed, you want to see me
II the same predicament." John
WINGED. and Mark was instantly
ai'm sorry. John. You know /
think Marie's . peach. and it's not
her fault, her father is 50 puritani-
cal. Only-not for mel"
~Well," said John. ~ think you're
foolish. The Wars over. You had
your ding ct adventure, and did
well enough. Now forget it and
settle down.
"The Wars not over for me.
After . taste Of real living and real
thrills-Oh pshawl ! can't explain
T. 70 you, John. You weren't there.
Again Johns face darkened.
"That wasn't my fault, you know
! tried before you did"
"No, e wasn't your fault they
turned you down. Of course. But
Jou scersm't there, and you don't
realize quite what Il did 70 . per.
son. After flames and racket and
3eath-to come back 20 the life Of
IN Office In the family law mill. q
substitute legal arguments with
crooked opponents for battle, and
the problems Of the law court for 1
Me-or-death struggle
Mark paused. and turned 70 tack
John again
cts no use trying. John. I've
tried Il for three years now, and
can't stand It'll"
"But 70 let you 60 once"
sListen TO me. joint" interrupted
Marx. II guess I'm IN anachron'
ism-either that, or . born black
sheep. ! suppose ] was intended x
be soldier Of fortune or IN adven'
turer. but I happened 70 b born
into . world where adventure. *
cept for ono overly-expensive war
Il ct . discount. And here's TIL
point: You know % well - d.
that another year In Spring Brood
would end In some sort Of scandal
Isn't e better for mo 70 travel, 4
get far enough away % my blacl
sheep psopsnsities won't bother tn
John shrugged.
"There'S no law requiring you b
ret into trouble" he said.
"Thers Il, though" replied Mark
"and It happens to Be . law Of m
ture. When you bottle up steam
Il piles up pressure tor . while
and thsn--bangl But Il you let !!
escape, there's no explosion ct al
lust . pleasant sizzling. What In
trying 70 do Is ind myself . safet,
valve, and % far the only thing
can zee that offers any promise O
success 10 travel - and travel &
some Of the less civilized regions o!
tho world. I'm sick Of the drabnesI
and restrictions Of civilization
"Well" said John slowly. =
don't seem 70 b able 70 impress n,
point Of view on you. OF course
you're old enough e know you
own mind, but should think you
mothers wishes would have som
small influence with you"
sNothsr would b oil right e 20,
1t her alone" said Mark. "Sh
caught some Of Dads spirit, m,
0hs's quite capable Of understand
ing my feelings. And that, Johr
g somswhat more than ! can -
1T IL Wen, ! understood 20
veil enough 20 see the uselessnes
q this Wild goose chase across Il