Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-09-10
IN THREE PARTS-PART THREE

every reaSon she had was selfish and
petty. And yet she knew perfectly well
it wasn't. And yet she couldn't help
feeling it was. There wasn't anything to
do-not anything at all. And she had
wanted to go to that dance! They'd
missed out three now, and there would
only be II more. And that was silly
and selfish, too.
Kit, by a miracle being through her
afternoon bridge by five, walked in
again on a wet, weeping Resale, curled
in the same chair as before, and de-
manded, as before. to know the reason
why. Rosalie dried her eyes-this time
with a useful white linen handkerchief
of the sort Pierson preferred-and
reared her head up desperately.
Kit, am l m%ercenary?' she demand
ed in desperation. Am l selfish and
petty and silly to want Pierson to take
a job that will make him able to sup
port me and stay home with me, and
have children and live like other peo-
pie? Or am l just a dreadful fool of
a girl that no man can care enough
for to do anything she wants?"
"What-on-earth?" said Kit sit
ting very neatly IN the edge of her
chair in her Molyneux cape coat and
her navy blue poke bonnet and her
white gloves, and staring. Say it over
again!"
Rosalie did. She outlined Persons
ideals of married life.
And I'm engaged to him. I'll go on
being engaged to him. He won't hear
of anything else. And if l broke it off
I'd have Tilted two men-and everybody
would go round saying l had broken
Persons heart. People would know
about his broken heart and my doing
it, just the way they knew about his
being my doormat. I'm all tied up. You
can't throw a man over because he
won't make as much money as you
supposed he would. I'd be a low, mer-
cenary, dreadful girl unless l went on
being married to him, and"
Yes, you said that before" said Kit,
thoughtfully. Exactly. You mean
your marriage to Pierson would be a
marriage of convenience-Without any
conveniences."
But I've got to be honorable" said
Rosalie, dropping, land 1 will, too" she
went on bitterly. II know me. After all,
I'm fond of him. And I like my work.
And perhaps l could get a raise and
have a baby that wouldn't cost Pierson
anything. He's coming tonight to stay
home from the dance and finish up all
tho V1o~c ADI r Aid rovnf f0 dononIv
Kit came over and tipped up her face
and looked at it.
HE is not coming anywhere of the
Sort she said decisively. you're not
fit to go anywhere but to bed, and III
telephone him that, while you're up
stairs getting undressed. Go on, nowl'
Kit was Rosalie's much older sister,
and when she spoke in that firm tone
Rosalie became twelve again and
obeyed.
Kit brought her up a tray, and she
went to sleep at nine and never woke
till just time for work. She expected
telephone messages from Pierson-he
allowed himself three a day-au day
long, but when she got home she found
a note from him instead. He had been
unexpectedly called to New York to
see his owners. He might have to sail
next week. In that cas- he had a very
beautiful plan he hoped his Rosalie
would like.
Hes going to marry me before he
goes" she painted to Kit. well, l sup
pose it might be the best way"
when will he be back?" demanded
Kit.
Tomorrow afternoon at four"
Him. said Kit. That was all. No
help from Kit. No help anywhere. Well
that was that. She had loved Bill too
much. And she didn't love Pierson
enough. But it would come. She was
fond of him and it would come shed
done it all herself.
Rosalie sat down on the divan before
the fire to wait meekly for Pierson to
come and tell her all about their mu-
tual final arrangements.
81 have the most wonderful surprise
for YOU, my darling" was the first
thing he said, just as she had known
he would. Her cue was to ask what
She didn't. She knew he would go on
anyway.
IT was telling the captain" said Pier
son buoyantly, "all about us. told him
how we were going to have to be part
ed lust after we we're married because
of this Valparaiso cruise, and he said
Hell. my boy, bring the little lady
along!' 1t will cost us practically moth
ing for our honeymoon. l have always
wanted to show you Valparaiso. 0, my
darling, how wonderful it will be! We
will be together. You will be my little
queen"
He put his arm around her anc
looked ardently into her eyes. And RIOS
allie sat numbed. She wanted to ]uml
up and scream:
you're nothing of the sort! You've
had your way and I've never had mine
all the time we've been engaged! II
hadn't a reputation all over town FOL
lifting men-if the only man / ever
loved wasn't gone because I was al
accused fool who thought she was be.
ing sensible I'd tell you to get out o.
here and never come back as long al
you lived! You're a stingy, selfish, vair
man, and I hate you"
But she didn't. How could she? Pier
son sat there and looked at her ador.
H. Oh A~L I~.~~ -,,Ar., LII ~ "a hos