The Bozeman courier., 1927-07-22
PAGE NINE

knew-there was no distinction. no pa
Mr.. Quinn spoke with dimculty. smiI-
ing evasively.
Il hope .youn have a very good time.
VIII you stay over long?"
There was an undercurrent Of regret,
and Dorothy thought an undercurrent
Of objection, and her voice stiffened.
81 don't know. 1t depends. If like 1t,
maybe year."
There was another silence.
Anything I can do7 . Tickets, or
passports. or so on?~
"Oh, no, thanks. don't think So"
Dorothy's finger was between the
leaves Of a book she was reading. The
finger grew impatient.
Her father seemed on the point Of
going and stopped over her for the un-
thinking goodnight kiss that passed be-
tween them for demonstration, but as
he stood back his hands still rested on
her shoulders and his eyes were not re-
moved. The grip Of his hands grew
tighter
''I can't talk" he said. 'I never could
talk-that's been my trouble. But I want
you to get out Of life all you can. If
ever i. if you ever need me, you'll let
me show in action, won't you. that I'm
better father than seem? What? After
all, father is one of the few disinter-
lested men you're ever likely to know"
laughed.
For moment Dorothy's hair stirred
with little cold quickening Of delight
unlike any feeling she had ever had be-
having to think. she was being picked
up and taken somewhere. Her father
was man, too, tangible, touchable, to
be wounded or delighted.
Lean down." she said. She kissed him
: : on top Of his head. Eyes, I will" she said
: lindulgently.
And then her mood passed in amused
!, inner criticism. What did this hermit
like father Of hers know about the world
compared to herself. armed with the
starkness and humor Of her decade?
. when she came back from Europe it was
: she who would take care Of him, not he
i of her.
. On the wharf when, two weeks later,
on misty January day, the steamship
Provence set sail, William Hewitt and
William Fonda del COmercio stood side
by side and waved their arms in unaccus-
r toned unison. Dorothy leaning over the
d rail- did not know whether to laugh or
s cry. On the whole. her feeling was one
d of intense relief. She felt that she was
It bound for a freer, more UntrOubled life.
# that back there in the gray fabulOusly
r spired city she was leaving the problem
of men-at least, from the American
u angle-the problem of father, of lovers
! By the time she was ready to come back
e she would know definitely what she
She turned her head to look at the
q gray spaces of Jersey City and the tall
lean, melancholy man at her side turned
:, his head to look at her.
II II "BeauX Of yours?" he asked in a plaint-
u i've drawl.
- Dorothy flushed, but business life had
" taught her that frequently the easiest
!, e way is to get rid Of any one is to speak
= politely.
,s Yes she answered coouy, pleasantly,
II and finally
p YOU'RE lucky" continued the plaint-
i've voice. Il haven't go no one. sup
N pose I could have hired some one. There
d was nice little girl met at the Santa
TX Domingo Supper club the other night
~ that might have come down for twenty
:" five dollars. Wish I'd thought of it. !
tell you what, sister, moneys not much
Of good If you're lonely" The plaintive
rl or pleaSure?"
Il Business"
Ill alone"
ed Dorothy gasped mentally. She peerec
yn back across the widening gap of oily
waters. The two Williams were indis.
at tinguishable specks in a back line thai
or had lost all resemblance to humanity
ed save for the tiny white blotches Of wav
he ing handkerchiefs.
ad I'm not alone, exactly" she explained
{" hurriedly. MY father is banker and h'
:. has written to the captain. I am al
~ editor. Now I've got to go below"
De The melancholy drawl 1oated afte
her. Letters to the captains don't d'
lei no good-not on a boat like this. tt
pe Ike sending a letter to the manager o
we the Ritz. I've crossed thirty-two times.
ole Blame itl" said Dorothy to herself
ilo you can't be free, no matter what yol
do. American men especially-au o
Z a them so kind and protective, and all o
ng them trying to flirt with you just tn
90 same. With foreigners, at least, you cal
lot make yourself clear
en Copyright: 1925: BY Struthers Burt)
ad (To be concluded next week.
ce