Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-08-08
Observation-Disclosures
The Bi9-Iown Roulnd-Up|
& BY William Macleod Raine &
= ~ s$ Copyright by William MacIeodfRane 81

was not going to happen to him. H
was not<going to be given her hap
plness to hold in the hollow OF hi
hand. Bee Whitford was a moderl
young woman, practical-minded, witt
world esteems. Clarendon Brom
field was a. catch even in New York
he was rich, Of a good family, as
sured social position, good-lookint
n manifestly in love with her. Lik,
eravitates to like the land over.
= Bromdeld. too, had no doubt tina
Bee meant to marry him. He wa.
IN love with her, as far as he coulc
be with anybody except himself. H
life, the gay, glad comradeship of hel
and he had always been lucky in
getting what he desired. That was
the use Of having been born with a
silver spoon in his mouth.
But though Clarendon Bromield
la no doubt Of the issue of his suit
the friendship of Beatrice for this Eel.
low from Arizona slapped his vanity,
1t nurt his class pride and his per-
sonal self-esteeln that she should take
pleasure in the mans society. Bee
never had been well-broken to har-
ness. He set his thin lius tight and
resolved that he would stand no non
sense Of this sort after they were
married. II she wanted to f1irt, 1T
would have to be with some one in
their own set.
self. h knew that she was behav-
ing rather indiscreetly. though she did
not fathom the cause of the restless
ness that drove her to Clay Lindsay.
The truth is that she was longing for
an escape from h empty life she was
leading. had been seeking one for
years without knowing it. Surely this
round OF social frivoi,ies. the chatter
of these silly women and SNUG tailor
made men. could not be all there was
to life. She must have leen made
FOR something better than that.
And when she was with Clay she
knew she had been He save her a
vision of life through eyes that had
Known open. wide spaces. clean whole
some and sun-kiSsed. He stood on his
own feet and did his own thinking.
Simply, with both hands. he took hold
of problems and examined them
was elemental. but he was keen and
broad-gauged. 1t amazed her one day
to learn that he had read William
James and understood his philosophy.
much better than she did.
There was in her hind no intention
whatever of letting herself do any
thing so foolish as to marry him. But
there were moments when the thought
of it had a dreadful fascination for
her. She did not invite such thoughts
to remain with her.
For she meant to accept Clarendon
Bromfield in her own good time and
make her social position in New York
absolutely securc. She had been in
the fringes too long not to appre-
ciate a chance to get into the social
Holy of Holes.
A'bow-legged little man in a chep.
knotted loosely round his neck stop
ped in front, of a window where a
girl was selling stamps.
II wantta see the postmaster
"Corrid'y'right. Takelvatorthir'-
doorleft.' she said, just as though it
were two words. I
At that the freckled-face little fell
low opened wider his skim-milk eyes
and his weak mouth. Come again,
ma'am. please"
"Corrod'y'right. Notwithstanding
doorleft.' she repeated. Next"
The inquirer Knew as much as he
did before. but he lacked the cour-
age to ask for ar English translation.
He shuffled away from the window
and wandered helplessly. swept up by
the tide of hurrying people that flow
ed continuously into the building and
ebhed out of it. From this he was
tossed into a backwater that brought
him to another window.
Il wantta see the postmaster of this
burg" he announced again with a
plaintive whine.
What about?" asked the man back
of the grating.
important business. amigo. Where's
he at?"
The man directed him to a door
upon which vas printed the legend,
superintendent of Complaints"
well. sir! What can l do for you?"
the man behind the big desk snapped.
II wantta see the postmaster
What about?"
Il got important business with
him"
WHO are you?"
me. I'm Johnnie Green of the
B-in-a-Box ranch. I just dropped in
from Arizona and I wantta see the
postmaster"
Suppose you tell your troubles to
me-"
Johnnie changed his weight to the
other foot. mo. sub. I allow to see
the postmaster himself personal"
Hes busy" explained the official.
HE can't possibly see anybody with
out knowing his business"
That's all right. I've lost my pal.
/ wantta see" ~
The superintendent of complaints
cut into his parrot-like repetition.
Yes, o mentioned that. But the
postmaster doesn't know where he is,
does he?"
HE might tell me where his mail
goes. as the old sayin' is"
When did you lose your friend %
II amt heard from his since he
come to New York. So bein' as I got
a chanel to go from Tucson with a
jackpot trainload Of cows to Denver,
I kinda made up my mind to come
on here the rest of the way and look
him up. I'm afraid some ones done
him dirt"
DO you know where he's staying?"
NO. sub, I don't"
The superintendent of complaints
tapped with his fingers on the desk.
Then he smiled. The postmaster was
fond of a joke. Why not let this odd
little freak from the west have an
interview with him?"
Twenty minutes later Johnnie wal
telling his story to the postmaster OF
the city Of New York. He had writ
ten three times to Clay Lindsay and
had received no answer. So he had
come to look for him.
us your friend like you?' asek the
postmaster. Interested in spite Of him
self.
mo, sun" Johnnie, alias. the Runt,
began to beam. "He'sEa sure-enough
go-getter, Clay is, every jump Of the
road. I'd follow his dust any day OF
the week. He's the Invest proposition
that ever come but Of Graham codn-
ty. You can ce'tainly gamble on
that" gE5
The postmaster touched a button,
A clerk appeared, received orders,
and disappeared:
The clerk presently returned with