The Bozeman courier., 1927-12-16

Lne WOrlQ-NeW 4Ork, LONDON, EarlS, ana /
all the rest Of the places where people |
who are bored with themselves and their |
money go. That would be fun at first, |
but would get horribly homesick after
a while"
you have no home now," raped out |
Mrs. Hardness, who could not understand |
such unorthodoX sentiments. We've |
looked you up. We knew all about you.
You are little adventures"
ct have no home" smiled Alma, visit
fully, "but I used to have one"
Since you feel that way about it, my
child" Judge Rutledge observed, I'VE
will be glad to do our share"
'Oh, yes, I know" said Alma quickly.
''You were going to offer me money to
release Blake, weren't you? And you
would like me to sign some kind Of legal
paper in order to be perfectly certain
that you are not being tricked? Let me
hava the paper and pen, please. And
the check-what did you think my price
would be?"
The lawyer opened drawer on his
desk, drew out a document bound in a
blue cover, and handed it to Alma apol-
! igetically. She read it carefully, snatched
up pen and signed it in brave, school
| teachers hand.
For one dollar and other valuable
| considerations " she quoted with touch
of irony. But where are the famous
| considerations"
| OONSG 1OAC4GOSG pIOQuCGQ q CLSCk DOOh
| and did a little writing on his own ac-
count. Then he looked up and said:
'I am leaving the amount blank, for
! the moment But it is made out to your
order and signed. Now, how much shall
we say? I advise you not to be cOnserva-
tive. Mrs. Hardness believes in paying
well for favors."
"Give it to me, please"
The judge lifted his eyebrows and then
obeyed.
Alma took the check, thought a mo-
ment, and completed it. She blotted it,
folded it, tucked it carefully away in
her vanity case, and rose to 60.
But 1 must know what the sum 1t, "
said the judge indulgently. Il have to
fill in the stub, you know. And if you
have made the price too absurdly high,
shall have to stop payment"
Let me fill in the Stub" exclaimed
Alma gayly. "I know how"
The Judge humored her. A chorus girl
from the "Hilarities" did bit of arith-
metic in the check book Of the great
Hardness estate, slammed it shut, anc
started away without saying gOOd-by.
On an afterthought, near the door, she
stopped and turned back for last word
isn't there some way I can get ou
without meeting Blake?" she asked.
Certainly" Judge Rutledge answered
''The building has entrances on two
streets. Take the one where he didn'
park"
Thanks. But it would be a shame tc
keep him waiting there for hours. CT
e down after a while, will you please
Y judge, and tell him have escaped. Shov
him the paper signed, too. That will
help him to get over it quickly"
l. Don't worry about Blake" advises
Mrs. Hardness, now very cheerful. "H
II will console himself soon enough. Yol
It are the third chorus girl we have bough
e off,"
ss-71,o+ ,,,oIzas ,,,o 4oo1 . 1o+ I,o++o,.
r Alma answered, recognizing Mrs. Hark
e ness existence for the first time since tn
= beginning of the interview. For I lik
your son, honestly. You should be
% better mother to him, Mrs. Hardness"
l. That was a good exit line, though
Alma, as she fluttered through the dool
THE hussyl' Mrs. Harkness exploded
a "She is the most cold blooded little gol
i digger in the natural history of tn
rs Species"
h do you think SOP" the judge retorteC
n After hearing her sentiments aboU
N home and marriage? She seemed quit
ID sincere to me-"
D. "As sincere as a nanny song in cab
D. aret. She took our money, didn't she?
"Yes-some of it. Look here"
~ He opened the check book and shove
q Mrs. Hardness the stub that Alma ha
oF filled in.
q The entry was for one dollar-exactl
M the amount set down, as a legal techn
~, cality, in the waiver Of all matrimonit
20 liens upon Blake Hardness which st
~ ~ had signed.
@@i "One dollarl" the judge observed revei
,1+ emily. And see what she has written
N' explain the item: Taxi farel Now viii
,is do you think Of Miss Hastings?"
al 81 think" remarked Mrs. Harkne
Zee with acid in her voice, that she hi
given me the most perfect insult of n
w life-and that doubtless have deserve
~ it,"
'-' Blake Hardness stopped hangiI
ra around the stage door Of the "Hilaritie
to meet Alma after the show. She r
. ,, fused to explain his absence to her cur
~ GUS colleagues, but it was soon go
-, siped about that she had been forsakC
in favor of a dancer in Gig Saw JestS
a rival revue.
a." Faith Lambert, upon hearing Alma
gs confession, exclaimed affectionatel
las why, you blessed little boobl You're
- better man than I am, Gunga Dinl'
Not long afterward there was a NJ
er- apparition at the stage door Of the ST
;ay larities" in steady attendance up
ok, Alma's midnight departures from b