Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1933-03-16
CHAPTER TX

J0nn Belknap did not go loWnWdTt
with the rest of the crew. He turned
In the other direction and followed
the road past the last lighted habita'
ton. The sheriff was there. driving
his team slowly up and down, waiting
Get in he said gruffly, and lifted
the robe to make room beside him.
Settled there beside the hulkine
figure, John listened attentiyely while
the sheriff told what he had to tell.
1T amt so much" ehe said, but he
admitted he was out by their gasoline
drum with this fellow. Cases have
hung on smaller things than that.
When we get the stomach analysis
we'll know whether he's lynn about
the mans bein' boozed up or not"
and what about the old iob?" John
asked, when he had finished.
Smooth as silk Saw Saunders
this afternoon and he's tickled pink
Says that Gorbel has pulled off a lot
of saws and that 1t ain't any chore
at all now, to keep Ellen in logs. It's
all sweet as shortcake in the neigh
borhood y
(Which makes it look worse for me.
As quick as | land there HI starts
to pop. When I'm discovered and sent
up the road, trouble subsidies bit
terly. Hes smart, Gorbell'
Smart in some ways" the other
chuckled. "Was over In our town
the other night tried to see Ellen at
her house. She wouldn't have it nd
her housekeeper told how he ham,
mered on the door and begged"
John moved uneasily. ~
HE used to be sweet on her, all
right, and it looked for a time, before
her daddy died, like she was goin' to
reciprocate, or whatever you call it.
But it's different now. Yeah,
smart In some ways! He's made 1t
look bad for you for a time but,
Johnny, Saunders is for you, all ways;
so al. the rest of Ellen's boys. They
don't understand 1t all, no more than
you and / do, but they'd go to HI for
you, every last one of 'emT"
"They would warmly. BLESS 'em
all, they wouldl But but Miss
Richards. She'll be thinking
just what we've agreed IS the logical
thing to think that I caused the
trouble and when she lei me go trouble
went with me-
The sheriff nodded.
thought He turned to stare at
John in the darkness. Il get you, son
Women's ways are hard for a man tc
follow. But | notice we keep tryin
and tryin' and sometimes we get
the hang Of 'emf"
A world of understanding and sym
pathy 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 vas gathering at the
recreation hall for the weekly dance
He found himself, despite his indiffer
ence, strolling up the steps OF the
recreation hall. He stood looking into
the big room through the glass. The
music was fair, the place filled witt
young and old, revealing In the amuse
ment his father had provided. They
thought that they owed Paul Gorbe
for such advantages and John went
bit hot. Old Tom had done thatl
Couples swirled past. Girls an(
women looked at him significantly. HI
saw one whisper to her partner ans
the man looked at John and nodded
and chuckled. He was marked.
The dance ended. He turned to SCI
a girl watching from a seat near TIL
door.
She smiled and he bowed, thougl
he did not remember ever having see
her. she rose quickly, and cam
towards him, skirts swaying grace
fully about her thighs.
81 guess you don't remember me
Mr.. Belknap p she said. I'm Mari
Varnell. | used to be in the Chicag
Office"
"Oh!',, he said, taken aback. 9
guess it's one on met In a plac
where there are so many good-lookin
girls, though, you can't blame d poo
boy from the woods If he gets cor
fused, can you?"
She laughed.
Good linel | didn't expect you t
remember me, though!
A specimen Of a definite city typ
he saw. her clothing, her makeup, he
bold manne
"And how long have you been here
he asked.
Fourteen months now"
TN the office, | supposeT'
"Yes."
The orchestra struck up.
@Well," she said, Il guess | bette
get back to the girls"
"Oh can't we dance, then?'
Her smile flashed. She had achieve
; Since leaving the university he he
danced little, but from the first fe
steps he realized that this %stenograph'
was an exceptional dancer. Light, r
sponsive, supple, graceful, they threa
ed the swirl Of less adroit couples
silence.
She turned her face towards hil
very close.
aim Glad vou came eha Safd az