Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-04-22
published by special arrangement with
The Chicago Tribune Syndicate)
IN TWO PARTs-PART TWO

" oblkbhtu Ny bDttiuA wan
The Chicago Tribune Syndicate)
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
Jessica Hin, employe in a travel bu-
reau, suffers from an inferiority complex
and she has decided that she will remain
a "second-rater' for life. Having been
left an orphan, she has supported and
educated one brother, who is starting In
to practice law, and another brother who
is at college. The lawyer, Jack, does not
progress very rapidly and Jessica believes
that he Will never reach the top ranks of
his profession. However Billy, who Is
In school. gives promise of being a sue
cess. He is very popular In college and
has been pledged to a fraternity, an
honor which Jack never attained. Jes-
sica discovers that her name has been
forged to a check and suspicious Jack as
the guilty one. AS Jessica is about to
ask Jack about the check, the door bell
rings.
And now the story
A young man slipped into the inner hall
way. He was really just a slim, supple
kid, with a hat brim meeting his eye
brows and trousers making q correctly
negligent crease upon his instep; Jack
looked at him a moment ~intently, then
closed the door and, smilingly lifted q
finger for silence, motioned him to the
room where eJssica stood. TIL youngsteI
went In.
"Billyl
"Hlo, Jess" he greeted her, somewhat
muffled In the embrace.
When Billy was released, Jack spoke
trying to be casual.
well, kid?"
"How are you, Jack" said Billy.
"Sit down, sit down. This is an unex-
pected treat"
"Yes." said Jessica, striving to look ad-
monishing, you shouldn't really have
Vacations not far Off, either"
Billy sat. He sat edgewise on a straight
backed chair, his hat In his hand, his eyes
shifting about the room.
well, put down your hat and act as II
you were at home,'' laughed Jack.
Billy laughed, too, his teeth shining
against the red of his full young lips. He
tossed the hat to the table, and lolled down
into his chair.
"Just thought I'd drop up to town to see
you ALL" he explained with elaborate care
lessness. "Guess l was homesick."
"You poor kid y cried Jessica.
"Poor nothing" Jack objected. "You
wanted to come to gloat about your new
honorsw He smiled pridefully at the non
chalant figure. Where's your fraternity
pin? Fish 1t out, kid, and show US what q
regular collegian you are"
Haven't got one" said Billy.
Haven't GOT"
mo" hastily, "I-gave 1t back"
He examined his fngernails. Jessica was
looking straight before her, blankly. Hel
mind, her body, seemed suddenly numbed
lutY tOuIu L tlt DdluIOuLi lduItt ullPr
ping again.
didn't you like the crowd?'
Jack queried, clumsily, less to ask than to
say something.
didn't fit. A fellow sometimes makes mis-
takes, you know"
His brother nodded. 1t was easier thar
words. Jessica got up and put a hand on
the sloping. youthful shoulders.
you're tired, Billy"
Little bit,' he assented.
I'll get you a cup of coffee"
tagged"
Jessica hurried into the kitchenette. Me.
fee on her body was still numb. her fore.
head hot. She went to the window, lifted
1t high, thrust her head into the cooling
air.
toward his brother. He was speaking
rapidly.
Jack, | want to see you. Want to have
a talk with you"
S soh, e sis'" he ca eall led. Suppose I rur
down and get some cheese and crackers
Billy'n go with me-" /.
isn't he too tired?" she called bach
from the window.
She heard Billy protest something about
the airs doing him good heard the dooi
shut after them; presently heard then
emerge into the night, down below her.
Jack halted in the shadows beside the
walk.
"Well, kid? 2" he said evenly.
In the dim light from the street lamp
Billy looked ridiculously young, like 9
poster boy grown suddenly serious. His
lips began to witch. and he lifted a finger
to steady them. The long lashes over tbs
blue eyes quivered. Jack put out a HAND
to his shoulder.
"Not in love, are you, young fellow 2"
Billy shook his head. I'm in a devil o.
a fix he burst out.
"Trouble with your profs.?"
Billy turned to him impulsively.
"Oh, don't joke about it, Jack!'
His brothers face sobered.
I'm afraid l don't understand. If there's
anything really the matter
well, there is!'
why, of course we want to hell
you
"You can't"
Jack peered at him through the uncer
tain light.
IF there is anything the matter he re
peated, 'just tell us. Wen s%traighten 1t
We know what you're made OF, Bin. We've
got faith In you, you know that"
"Stop It," he muttered. 81 can't lister
|. I'm d cad. / ought to be ashamed
to look you in the face. And l am.
shouldn't have come here at all. | oughi
a tremor in his boyish voice, when a fell
low gets in bad, and is ashamed to see hi
own folks-that's just where he wants t.
go. SO well, l couldn't keep away
| planned to cut out last night. / trampet
around the streets all night"
Last night?"
Billy nodded. 81 went by here a dozer
times, 1 guess; and / couldn't. And yet
/ couldn't beat it, either"
Last night?" Jack repeated DULY. "Yol
were here last night?"
"Yeah." His fingers clutched at his broth
er's coat sleeve. Jack he whispered
huskily, 'I'm a thief"
Jack held the slight form at arms
length and stared into the eyes shadowet
by the pulled dow hat brim.
you're joking" (.
ooh, | know what I'm saying. I haven
lost my mind. I'm just what | said. 4
thief. Thief"
He had stepped back defantly, his voic
lifted, a clenched fist hitting against tn
palm of his hand.
stop shouting it," said Jack, withou
change Of tone.
The slim form relaxed.
"All right. But l am"
What have you stolen?"
Money"
"Whose?"
"Jessica's."