Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-07-08


soon put Caleb In possession Of sur
face information concerning the mem
bers- Of the party.
Thurston had been a bank clerk, los
ing his position In the merger Of bank
ing interests. But he had possessed
sound commercial faculties and
l backed to some extent by his uncle
he had started raisln growing 10 the
Fresno valley. Now be owned hun
dreds OF acres and was rated almost 4
millionaire. soon TO pass that mark.
Henry vedder was editor of the Pho
neer, a weekly published In Golden,
Of recognized literary merit His wife
had a leaning toward modern esthet-
les. extending to her gown and her
mode Of hairdressing. She apparent
ly saw nothing except through the
medium OF her husband and she hung
on his every word In the attitude Of
one who eagerly waits the opportu-
nifty TO encore the performances Of
fayorIte dramatist
George Brompton was an artist
who specialized In mural work. He
was the most dIffident of all the COM
pany, with an especial shyness toward
Carmen Wilson, which that vivacious
parsonage did not appear TO regard
as the kind OF tribute to her charms
that she preferred.
Thurston and Betty Clinton had
ridden down Hermanos canyon TO the
picnic on horseback. The rest had
come In a blackboard. by the longer
road, wagon preceding with the ma
terials for the barbecue. Luis Padllla
had come mounted. The vehicles and
the horses were slowed IN the old
barns. The whole party was return
Ing to Fl Nido In the early evening.
where Maria was now preparing a
fitting dinner for the fiesta OF her
young senorita's birthday.
"You are TO come. too" she insisted
to Caleb. "And stay over tomorrow.
I am not to be denied anything today
and I make that an order. You need
not feel that you are crowding or
were not Included In the original In
vitatiOn. There is lots OF room.
you have made It an ORDER" said
Caleb THAT settles It."
Here again was a different side to
the girl. he thought, as be listened to
her lighthearted talk. admlring her
quick wit. He caught himself watch
ing her closely whenever she laughed.
The inside OF her mouth was as pink
as a Kittens and she laughed without
reserve, so that one caught a CLEAN
OF even rows OF teeth that needed no
dentist. backed by the rosy glow Of
health.
Caleb enjoyed himself thoroughly.
the food, the company. the talk and
the shady spot beside the stream.
After the meal. Betty Clinton pro-
posed an excursion. Yedder claimed |
TO have had an inspiration for q poem
and said that he was going TO try to
put II on paper in the old garden. His
wife was no more to be detached from
him than a lImpet from q rock. ClIn-
.on himself made the excuse that he
was not feeling especially energetic.
''Then MFR. Brompton must stay to
Seep you company" announced Car
men. "You and Mr.. Clinton can dis
.uss that pioneer panel. Mr.. Bromp-
.on, she went on to Caleb, while
3rompton smilingly acqulesced in the
though the smile was
Is wan and lacking in warmth as a
winter sun, sis working on set OF
,anels for Judge Hemingway's new
lOuse. They are TO represent Cali
0rnia, past, present and future. And
fr. Clinton Is brim full of pioneer
ore, aren't you. Mr. Clint0nT
It was obvious that Carmen Wilson
Intended to make the trip TO The look
ut foursome. Clinton smothered
smile. Brompton seemed to be used
o this sort Of thing and the four
tarted.
They were less than half way when .
BETTY Clinton suddenly missed her
amera.
Il have been intending to take
photograph Of that view for two
ears. she exclaimed. The light Is !
Wendell, you'll get 1t for !
le. won't your Wen walt here. It's
the blackboard under the seat" /,
ThurstOn went swinging OF on his Z
rrand and the three sat down to be !
omfOrtable until his return. The .
lange Of scene seemed to have put /
city Clinton in more serious mood
Have you found your opening :
stT" she asked Caleb. :
It looks as II Carmen Wilson