Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-07-21
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cldence. That was all. Something
Anything. She was free. What could
she do? The new baby was coming.
She couldn't do anything before that
time. anyhow.
Her mother came to be with her. ar
irving in time for the funeral. She
chung to her mother rather desperately
Take me away" she said.
Norma wanted, first of all. to 20
back to Middletown- She had dreamed
OF those old days when she was a girl
In high school. and the years that fol-
lowed. Home had been SO pleasant.
There had been girls in. for all night,
and little parties. She had thought in
some vague way that those days could
be reconstructed. She knew now that
reconstruction was impossible. Why,
even her mother didn't live there any
more. hadn't been there since her faith
er's death. Neither the new cottage
In Durant nor the apartment in Chi
cage were large enough for her and
her two-no. three. babies. Even If
they could have had her alone. for a
short visit. it wouldn't help matters
much. And she didn't want to visit
without the babies. anyhow.
Norma hHns never earned a cent OF
money In her life. There was nothing
she could do now to support herself
and her children. She couldn't leave
them with the Milfords. She had no
money, at all. Barry had lived ON a
salary-really an allowance from his
father-and he spent every cent Of it.
Ills life vas not insured He wasn't
the type to think of insurance. and he
was SO young no n could think
She spoke to Mrs. Milford She hint
ed that she would like to go away some
~place-aWay from Milford. Mrs. Mil
ford thought the idea perfectly ridicul-
ous- The next day Father Milford
came in to talk with Norma.
What was this he had heard? Wasn't
she satisfied with them-with the home
they had provided for her? With a
great show of generosity the Milfords
planned NOrma's life for her. And
there was nothing she could do about 1t
but accept their plans. They couldn't
think Of letting the babies go away. OF
course not. Why, these were the only
grandchildren they had. They were
the only grandchildren they'd ever
have. They couldn't bear to have them
away from them. They were al they
had to live for.
Norma had no money, they knew.
When Norma spoke OF going away with
her mother even for a short visit, they
were appalled, at the idea Why. the
children might not get along in the
place they might choose When the
time came to go away for the summer
they would all go away together with
adequate servants. Why, the whole
Milford fortune would come. some day.
to Norma-the children. That might
be ten-twentg years away, but the
children had to be properly prepared.
They knew that the house was big
for Norma, but, after all, with three
children and adequate servants, she
wouldn't be lonesome. Of course, her
mother would always be welcome on
her regular visits, but it did seem ri
diculOuS, to have her other daughters
deprived of Mrs. Barbour's company
permanently.
Norma hInted at The expense OF
keeping up such a large establishment,
but Mr.. Milford only laughed at her
TITS the very thing you need, my
dear he said. Your own home, you
know, where you and my boy were SO
happy together. And you have your
position here besides. The boy was x
travagant, we know. I called him
down for that, often. I wish o that
I had never said anything against his
extravagances. You are to have a good
care and the chauffeur. The children
will have to be taken for drives. The
bills are to come to me each month
I'll arrange that with all of the shop
keepers. You are to have nothing to
worry about, but to be well and strong
and a good mother"
There wa no way out Norma knew
that, now. The horrible imitation Ital-
ian renaissance furniture In the living
room would continue to glare at heT.
One of the guest rooms had been turn
ed into a room for little Frances. and
already q room was being made ready
for the new baby. And in her own
room, with its gaudy imitation French
furniture, she would be alone That
was something. But she couldn't get
out.
She knew what would happen even
before 1t happened to her. She had