Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-08-27
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tainty that was very comforting. And
then the tempestuous footsteps of Bill
followed them. Bills dark, handsome
face, with his sleek crest of black hair,
stuck itself into the car and pulled
itself ~furiously out again. Bills deep,
beautiful voice growled scornfully. "Ah,
the major Interest,"
Mr.. Mulliner looked at him as one
might look at a rare if not beautiful
flower.
Your friend seems a little excitabIe, .
said he to Rosalie.
Not over you," growled Bill sti1l
more impolitely, and walked of.
Rather rude" said MI. Mulliner,
smiling, unmoved.
"Oh!" said Rosalie, shivering.
You're too sensitive. and you take
such things too hard" said Pierson
Mulliner with just the kind of firmness
she needed at the moment. He sat
quietly and used his hands to light
a cigaret.
She did not know how it happened
that she began to tell Pierson (anony-
mously, of course) all about Bill.
Pierson was a little cool and amused
about it all.
ut might have been the end of that
man, child. But it wasn't the end of
the world" he said with a note of de-
tached, kind mockery in his voice.
Which was what she wanted to hear.
So they were friends.
HT nuOhf RI m hocE nou, - clio coi1
with a start after a long hour Of quiet
conversation. Il have to be at kinder
garten at nine-thirty."
"You teach kindergarten"
She nodded. He liked that, too. II
think every woman should have her
work in the world" he said. Resale
laughed.
well, I couldn't expect my sisters
husband to support me-" she said light
ly, cheered up by his approval.
Most of the girls she knew did some
thing until they married. Sometimes
they carried on q while afterward. Bill
had been Victorian about it. 1t was a
novelty to be approved Of this way.
People mostly more admired than ap-
proved her.
"A friend of mine has loaned me his
canoe" Pierson said. would you like
to go out. on the sound with me to-
morrow, after your days works over?
We might take a picnic supper"
"Crazy to-" said Rosalie.
Pierson was, of course, wonderful in
a canoe. II haven't bought one" he
said frankly, because it was that or
q radio. We sailors have to think
twice before we spend, you know"
Pierson had nothing to do between
voyages. He was always there when
she wanted him. They had long, salts
flying talks, mostly done by Rosalie,
She told him everything she'd been
afraid of boring Bill about, and he
listened and gave her good advice.
He was a newcomer. He was supposed
to be rather an independent, different
kind Of man. He lived in a tiny bach
elor apartment, n of the new ones
down by the station. He was second
officer on a South American liner. He
never said much about his work, but ii
gave him a glamour. He was az with
drawn as Bill was dynamic. He didn't
lift a finger to her in love. The wise,
fiippant, cool Rosaliet liked him a lot
you're showing sense for once" said
Kit, and Arthur, Kits neat, square
shouldered, grayish husband, nodded
in approval. She and Kit and Arthur
went to dinner in Persons ship-shape
apartment. He cooked the dinner him
self, laughing about a sailor having
to do everything. 1t was small, the
apartment, living room, bedroom, bath,
kitchenette. But perfect. He had picked
UP most of the furnishings here and
there for almost nothing.
It was when they were driving home
through the pleasant summer night
that Kit and Arthur pointed out that
RoSalie was showing sense.
"You don't understand" said RoSalie
patiently. I'm having a friend, not q
boy friend, for once In my life. Why
he's never brought me SO much as 9
pack Of cigarets."
Kit, who had acute cause to miss
the offerings which had saved her SC
much In table decorations, nodded
nearly convinced. Arthur only said
That's because he's sensible. That man