Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-03-22
CHAPTER ix-Continued

AAI N0aAA wa AAiAI DAGGG
'em all, they would But
but Miss Richards. She'll be
thinking just what we've agreed is
the logical thing to think that !
caused the trouble and when she
let me go trouble went with me-
The sheriff nodded.
"Toughp He turned TO stare at
John In the darkness. II get you,
son. Women's ways are hard for q
man to follow. But ! notice we keep
tryin' and tryin' and sometimes
we get the hang OF 'em !"
A world of understanding and
sympathy and encouragement came
with the tone and John left the
sheriff with spirits higher than they
had been for days.
He was restless after his supper
that night This was Saturday and
the whole town was gathering at
the recreation hall for the weekly
dance. He found himself. despite his
indifference. strolling up the steps
of the recreation hall.
Couples swirled past. Girls and
women looked at him significantly.
He saw n whisper to her partner
and the mar looked at John and
nodded and chuckled. . He
was marked.
The dance ended. He turned 10
see a girl watching from a seat near
the door.
She smiled and he bowed, though
he did not remember eve having
seen her. She rose quickly, and
came towards him, skirts swaying
gracefully about her thighs.
4 guess you don't remember me,
Mr. Belknapi" she said. I'm Marie
Varnell. | used to be In the Chi
cago office"
"Oh," be said, taken aback. 81
guess It's n on me In a place
where there are so many cookbook.
ing girls, though, you can't blame
a poor boy from the woods If be gets
confused. can your
She laughed.
Good linel didn't expect you
to remember me, thought |"
A specimen of q definite city type.
he saw: her clothing, her makeup.
her bold manner.
And how long have you been
here7" he asked.
Fourteen months"
I'm the office, | suppose7"
"Yes."
The orchestra struck up.
WELL" she said, II guess | bet.
ter get back to the girls"
"Oh can't we dance, thenf'
Her smile flashed. She had
achieved.
Since leaving the university be
had danced little, but from the first
few steps he realized that this
stenographer was an exceptional
dancer. Light, responsive, supple,
graceful, they threaded the swirl of
less adroit couples In silence.
She turned her face towards him
very close.
I'm glad you came" she said, and
he did not catch the Deculiar oual.
ity of her tone.
$50 am II This Is the first time
I've danced"
II don't mean that. Ordinarily I'd
have a comeback for you. MIR. Belk
nap. But | don't feel like wise
cracking tonight. | came here hop
ing I'd see you. | did what | don't
usually do, and was a little bold,
guess, getting you to talk to me.
I've something to tell you. A lot You
should know"
$50? That's interesting |"
ut VIII be, but | can't talk
here. And we can't go out
together. I've got to see you alone.
John was moi very good al inter
preting women. Il don't quite IN
derstand," he said, cautiously.
Il wrote q letter to Miss Rich
ards, on dlctation. Does that mean
anythlng?"
Her eyes, Is he studied them,
seemed to be honest enough.
"Yes," he admitted.
"And II | hadn't written that let
ter | might have gone for a ride
or whatever they do up here In the
woodsl II that isn't enough, I'll
say this: somebody In Kampfest has
been scared stiff since you came
here. Things that had beer going
on before have stopped since you
came into the picture. Now
are you interested?"
"Very muchr r.
The music stopped. They both ap-
plauded vigorously. When the en-
core started she put her cheek close
to his.
"Pn leave after the next dance
I'm here with other girls from the
office. ! live In the third house after
You turn right at the post office. You
walk past a half hour after | leave
and III be waiting in the storm
house. When | see you, and II the
streets empty, I'll open the door for
you"
After a moment he said: Fair
enough
He waited through tagging min