Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-12-20
Pubnsned By special Arranscmont Nth The
Chicago Tribune syndicstsl

The story So Ear

The Story SO Far
Walter Moran. real estate salesman in
New York City. is being paid an all winter
visit by his wife's mother and sister, and
his wishes are disregarded in all things by
the feminine contingent of the household.
He is also easily browbeaten at the office,
but upon learning that a radio invention of
his has been favorably looked on by a large
concern, he acquires a degree Of self conf
dence he has never before attained. We
asserts his rights at the Office and upon
arriving home that evening. starts to rule
with a high hand. His wife. Lucy, fears he
is losing his mind and his mother-in-law
becomes indisnant, the only one understand
ing him being his small daughter, Virginia.
And now the story
"Welll" She made round accusing eyes
at him. Walter pushed a floor lamp near
er a chair and sat down. holding his
paper high. He knew suddenly why he
didn't like having Lena Il Mother Trot-
ter in his house. Aside from the lack
them too like the things in Lucy he
minded.
Dinners ready. What are you so
pleased about? I should think" She
stopped as Mrs. Trotter rose, one hand
pressed to her marcelled hair, murmur-
ing, II can't eat a thing, Lucy; my
head"
W llONLSl hhNl 0dl tCQ d4ttl ltI do
she retreated dismally toward her bed
room. You mustl We want to see that
new picture tonight"
Walter marched brightly out to the
dining room and seated himself. If they
went to the pictures. all of them, he'd
have a chance to do some work. Lena's
voice rose above the undertone of the
others. You don't care what he says,
mother. Come onl He didn't mean any
thing"
Then all three appeared, edging to-
gether through the portieres. Lucy with
her arm around her mother. II told
mother you would apologize" she said.
Walter reflected swiftly; If he didn't.
they might not go out that evening.
Sure he said. |jauntily. Didn't mean
to take away your appetite"
That air of disapproval. in which three
women chartered over his head as If he
were invisible. usually gave him indiges-
ton. Tonight it merely put an edge on
his appetite. He ate in silent dignity.
amusing himself with unspoken repartee.
Trouble was, they'd stayed too long, max
ing a winter resort of his home.
He rose suddenly, with q plate on
which he had made a pyramid of green
peas beside a plump baked potato. I'm
going to take this to Virginia. She
can't 20 without her supper, a growing
A&A L41 - 1DL 1Ao Ia ~ lily
toward Lucy's beginning protest, and left
the room. He stopped in the kitchen
for a glass of milk, spilling 1t in his
haste. His hand reached for a cloth, and
then withdrew: he grinned at the widen
ing pool. AS he passed the dining room
he heard Lucy, DO you think he looks
feverish?"
Here's a paNy for a bad girl" He
winked soberly at Virginia, and moved
the lamp from the small table to make
room for the plate. He was sitting on
the bench before the dressing table, lis
tening to the child's story of what hap
pened at school, when Lucy came in.
Her mouth was tight as q DIN slot,
thought Walter, tight and hard.
Its time you went TO bed, Virginia"
she said. Come"
one leg easily. "You run along to your
movie"
Il don't know"-Lucy's voice faltered
las it's safe to leave you" She tried
to see herself in the mirror, twisting her
shoulder away from Walter. Are you
coming down with something's"
Yes, I'm breaking out. Here, sit
down. Lots of ROOM He edged along
the bench. He wanted to tell her: He,
Walter Morgan, out of his own head. had
done something to make the world sit
up.
Hurry up, Lucy. or We'll miss the COM
ing attractions, n mother wants to see
those Lena battered past the door and
Lucy leaned toward the mirror, powder
ing her nose.
How much longer'-Walter was
amazed at the way his voice rang out
how much longer are those two going
to camp here?" Lucy turned, her pink
puff arrested under one eye. quite ruin
ing the effect of her Mortified stare. He
heard a rustic of attention outside and
saw Virginia lift her head alertly. Are
they going to stay forever, or only part
of eternity?"
"sh-hr Lucy dropped the puff, a little
cloud OF powder floating round It,
"sh-hl They'll hear you. You-Ohr
81 hurried toward the door, stopping
to peck at Virginia's cheek, saying in q
loud, excited voice, Go right to bed,
Virginia, and say your prayers, and try
to be a better girl tomorrow. All ready
folks? Come along. We must hurry
She was herding them out Of the apart
ment as If she hoped to get them away
before Walters words reached them.
Walter walked to the door. I've got
some work to do" He paused. did they
put way my stuff, Jinny?" She nodded
TN the closet?"
"Uh-huh."
He looked into the small room which
had been his. Rapid Transformation. A
mirror hung beside his table, on which
an array OF toilet things was spread
around a ridiculous lamp. a porcelain
lady holding a fringed parasol over the
bulb. Solemnly and swiftly Walter set
to work. He piled the toilet articles or
a red lacquered table in the living room
parked the porcelain lady on the phono-
graph, draped the silk garments from
the closet over the davenport. and as 9
final touch set the range mules one or
each side of the ady on the photograph
jimmy watched him with wide dark eyes
and when he opened the window to lei
out the odor of perfume and scented
rouge which was Lena's trail, she claspeo
her hands over her stomach, signing.
Nov you must go to bed, Jimmy" He
helped her with buttons, a little con.
trite that she had to share his excite.
ment with such tenseness.
He was so intent that the first sounds
some hours later, reached him without
significance. A kind of hysterical Shrek
The handle Of his door turned sharply
He made a brief motion with a free hand
as If he brushed away a fly. and BEN
over his table.
walter Morganl" Lucy's voice shrilleC
with incredulity. "Walterl"
He turned his head to look at The
door. The creamy, solid surface reas
sured him.
I'm busy he called. go away
Fumbling in his pocket, he produced
small notebook, In which he mad
strange entries, figures, symbols, abbre