Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-12
Robert McBlair

ably her own. She couldn't stand this
and crossed the living room to where
Bill lived. His room. Of course, was all
upside down from his packing. Over
the end of the bed hung the new red
flannel bath robe which he had for
gotten. He always forgot something:
and, thinking of this. Betty felt she
must cry. But she knew that II she did
she would break down altogether: SO
instead she sat in the living room and
tried to read, while her mind. like some
supersensitive instrument, responded to
every sound that might mean a taxicab
stopping in front or some getting
off the elevator at their floor.
This was exhausting and she wanted,
anyhow, to creep away from everything
and get out Of the light. In her room
she undressed and slipped into a night
gown. She couldn't bear the thought
of her lonely bed. AS Bill wasn't COM
ing back tonight, she tip-toei into his
room. took his red bathrobe, and
crawled into his bed with the bathrobe
folded into a lump and her arms
around it. She lay for a long time quite
still. When she moved her head she
found that the pillow under it "a wet
with her tears.
She was sitting up to turn the pillow
when the doorbell of their apartment
rang.
It couldn't be Bill! He would have
been here before ~this-unless that sub
urban train was late, as it often was.
Besides, he wouldn't ~ring-unless he
had forgotten his keys! She was out
of bed in one movement. Dragging the
wet pillow with her, she pattcled into
her own room, dried her eyes and pow
dered her nose. Then, in the orchid
negligee, with her head held high, and
a trace of hauteur in her walk, she
crossed the living room on her high
heeled mules to open the doc. for him.
But when she opened the door there
was only the night elevator man with a
telegram. While she was accepting the
envelope and closing the door and turn
ing around to read it the blood fell
cold in her flesh. She was suddenly
afraid he might be hurt-and nothing
else mattered. If the wire vas to say
that he would be late, or to say that
he wasn't coming at all, that would be
all right. But a newspaper picture Of
a flying accident flashed through her
mind. While she slipped a finger under
the flap she lifted her eyes in a rapid
prayer.
please come at once-Bin."
The typed words shouted themselves
at her, in Bills voice, like q cry Of
pain. please come at ONCE" Bill
wasn't like her-he wouldn't have sent
such a message for any trivial reason.
She noticed now that it had been ad-
dressed to her at Reggie's, and had been
forwarded. 1t had been sent about the
time she was leaving. Hours had gone
past! BY that time he might be
mo" she was saying under her
breath in the bedroom as she stumbled
into her clothes, you can't let any,,
thing happen to him! 1t would serve
me right, but you can't!" She kept her
eyes away from the ghost-figure the
street lamp threw on the wall.
She didn't stop to telephone down
for a taxi. 1t occurred to her, however,
that she might have to stay out there
for several days. While, in her bedroom,
she was hesitating whether to take a
bag, she heard a small sound at the
hall door. She looked across the living
room. The knob was turning. A key
ratified, the door opened, and Bill. stag
gered in and dropped a heavy bag. His
necktie hung out over his vest. His face
was as white as paper.
i've got to be calm!" Betty was
saying to herself. Hes hurt, and I've
got to keep my head"
But already he had crossed the
and was gripping her arms. His gray
blue eyes we're fierce. His grip hurt.
What is it?" he demanded. He shook
her to make her speak. us it that fell
low? What is it? Can't you talk?"
He wasn't even being polite.
whats what?" asked Betty.
whats what?" he cried. Whats
this?" He pulled a rumpled oblong of
yellow paper from his pocket, unfolded
her telegram, and held it for her to
read. Come at once to the apartment.
Serious" He read it aloud. What does
this mean?" he repeated.
Then you are not hurt?" asked
Betty.
mo-" he said. why should I be
hurt?"
Then this is why you cameo"
mo, this isn't why l came. I got
this when I was coming in the door
downstairs. But what does this mean?
Are you all right? Tell mel"
Eyes, I'm all right" she answered,
and suddenly, unreasonably, her throat
began to hurt. II just ~telegraphed you
because all of a sudden IL couldn't
bear losing you, Bill. I'm sorry"
She bit her lower lip, but couldn't
keep back the tears. When he patted
Der comfortingly she put her arms
(ou1d him and held him very tight
because she was SO glad he wasn't hurt.
He picked her up and sat down with
her in the big easy chair. And then she
pushed away and looked at him.
But why did you telegraph me?"
Because he said, II got away from
you, and I began to think of you and
that fellow. !"
But how about Margie?"
"Oh, Margie!" He waved the name
away. Eyes, Margie," he repeated.
That's just it. That's the way l found
"You mean she didn't like you?"