Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-12-20
out, or Clement. He tested their blind

out, or Clement. He tested their blind
ness.
You'll have to get your wife's sigma
ture and have this back here early Mon
day. Can't have any delay" To which
Arner hauled out his check book, his pen
imbedded a~nxiously in his fat hand.
Name your sum. I'll pay 1t all down
If you like. and you can call the bank"
When Arner had gone Clement laid on
Walters desk a check from the firm. Wal
ter stared at 1t. Some time since he'd
seen his name on a check for four fig
ures. He laid 1t In his shabby billfold,
and as he returned 1t to his pocket his
fingers touched the familiar edge of his
notebook. The directors wanted TO wait.
His face muscles sagged n he chewed
on his lower lip. He was tired, fiat tired.
They're interested" Simons had in
sisted. They just want to wait till you
finish perfecting." Last night he'd been
sure he was on the right track. He drove
automatically, ~engrossed in his misery,
until he started across a traffic signal.
Th sardonic inquiries OF the officer re-
duced him to a cautious snail ON wheels.
He stood a moment at the apartment
door before he rang. In his ears buzZed
that hostile murmur he had heard at
breakfast. He'd have a hard time pla-
eating three women No one answered
his ring. He found his own key and let
@A.aD 49, ttN SA4iPt with a EillilRJE
of sunlit river far below the living room
windows. He dropped his package In a
corner OF the hall, hung away his coat,
half listening as If he expected some one
TO pounce at him. They were all out.
He'd neglected to stop for any lunch.
Maybe II he ate something he could pull
himself together. He was saving off a
slice of bread when the door clicked. He
turned. the knife in his hands the only
defensive note in his whole appearance.
Lucy was there, the green BOWL of her
hat a Charming calyx for her face. n
jimmy at her heels. No one else before
the door closed.
"Oh. you haven't had your lunchl Wait
a second." She flew into the neyt room
in some vibration of excitement. vir-
ginia tiptoed to her fathers side, hug
ging his arm.
I'VE went to the train with them.' she
whispered. Grandma said she would
MT have believed her W daughter
would say she outstayed her welcome. and
'Virginiai" Lucy's voice had an over
tone OF suspicion. Come take off your
things" In another minute Lucy re-
turned to the kitchen door. her hands
busy with the button IN her gay apron.
Walter had Strengthened his limp
shoulders, and his land frightened over
the handle OF the carving knife.
olu NAlBiLld tell you Lucy was
GREATNESS. engrossed in her button. II
thought / heard her"
rs 1t true? Have they gomez" He saw
Lucy waver. as If she tried to choose
among varying emotions. Perhaps that
knife made him seem formidable.
They've gone to Atlantic City for a
week or so, before they go back to Den
yer. Lena-well, l told her you had some
rights. n she must admit you'd been
very patient, and she couldn't talk that
way about my husband. Here, let me
cut that bread" She pried the Knife
from his fingers, her eyelids dow softly
against her cheeks. when relatives stay
too long, they really forget it's not then
own house. And after ALI"
Walter settled on the bench beside the
table, his eyes squirting a little as he
watched Lucy's dizziness with his sand
witch.
Would you like coffee?" She set the
plate before him. her fingers brushing
his shoulder.
mo, not this time" Walter spoke in
a loud. magnanimous voice. IT want to
get to work. I'm on the track Of a real
discovery. A real one" he added, as Vir-
ginia appeared at the doorway, her dark
head cooked like a wise little bird.
Copyright: 1928: BY Helen r. Hull)