The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-10-08

for corn. Then, to Gracie's establishment,
the Vnole scene began to change. The SUI
.DurDan plain disappeared, and one Of the
covered wagons faded before her eyes into
a handsome limousine. From the Limousine
stepped out a modern young girl in a fur
coat with het to match. 1t was none
other than Miss Virginia Blue Ribbon, the
pretty daughter Of the owner Of the Blue
Ribbon store.
Oracle scared. Was the pioneer part over,
she WOndered-in less than fifteen min
qtes? And what did this Limousine have to
"They must of left out some," she whis-
pered to her father. 81 guess they'll have
me doing some more in a minute. But they
shouldn't have showed so soon how 1 got
wounded"
Even now she did not realize the truth
that she was in the prologue and the
prologue was over. She saw Miss Blue Rib
bon standing in front of her fathers store
and then she saw her shopping in the
Blue Ribbon aisles. Now she was in a
limousine again bound out the fashionable
avenue, and later in a beautiful evening
dress she was dancing with many young
men in the ballroom Of the big hotel.
In the dim light Oracle looked at her
program. Miss Virginia Blue Ribbon"
it stated, representing the Queen Of To-
day."
"They must be saving some Of that
western stuff for the end" Oracle said in
an uncertain voice.
Two reels lickere by. Miss Blue Rib
bon manifested an unnatural interest in
factories, jewelry stores, and even statis-
tics. Gracie's bewilderment was fading
now and a heavy burning lump had arisen
in her throat. When the parade itself
was thrown on the screen she watched
through a bury glaze that gathered be-
fore her eyes. There went the automobiles
through the cheering crOwdS-the minor
queens, the mayor, Mr.. Blue Ribbon and
his daughter in their limOusine-then the
scene ended-and she though of her car,
lost somewhat back two miles in the crowd,
Oracle wanted to leave, but she still felt
tina all the audience were watching her
She waited, stunned and unseeing, until
a few minutes the screen flashed white
and the movie was over.
Then she slipped int the aisle and rar
quickly toward the exit, trying to bury
her head in her coat collar. She had hoped
to evade the crowd, but the closed dOol
detained her and she came out into the
lobby simultaneously with a score o.
people.
Let me BY she said gruffly to a portly
person who had wedged her against
brass rail. The person turned, and she rec
Ognized Mr.. Blue Ribbon himself.
Isn't this the carnival queen?" he asked
jovially.
Oracle Strengthened up, and seemed t.
draw the half elected tears back into he
eyes. She saw Mr.. POmerOy just behinC
his employer, and she realized that tn
small scale, of Mr.. Blue Ribbons business
grin.
Then rage gave her dignity, gave he
abandon, and Mr.. Blue Ribbon and hi
emplOye started back as they saw the e.
| preston that transformed her face.
"Say!' she cried ~increduOusly, "just lie
me tell you one thing right to your face
1 think the picture was rotten and
wouldn't pay a cent to see anything 81
rotten as that"
A lobby full of people were listening
now; even the fountain in the center seem
ed putting with excitement. Mr.. POmerOr
made a move forward as if he would hav
seized her, but Oracle raised her han
t~hreatenilgly.