Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-12-01

not remember when he had felt 50 gay.
He had tried to burn up the frozen
roads ia his haste 20 reach the goal Of
his sudden dream. He had broken all
the speed laws and sl.iddcd dangerously
around sharp curves. He had been
oveFtaken by the blizzard, but what Of
that2 Blizzards were his brothers He
had lived with them for years. They
held no menace for him. Nevertheless,
as this one increased IN violence. he was
glad to reach the city and get out Of
its tempestuous arms.
The city was as storm-swept as the
plains had been. But hundreds Of
lighted windows winked at him through
the whirling snow and his heart rose
and sank. This was a good idea--this
breaking away from the familiar rut
and having q real holiday whirl.
He drove to the house where his two
pals lived together and met stagger-
ing disappointment. They had gone
away for a week.
David felt stunned It had not &C.
CURED to him that they would not be
here. NOW, without them, the city was
abruptly empty He had plenty Of ac-I
quaintances in it. but he had no other.
intimates. He went back 20 his car with
slow steps and drove on to Benning-
tons, depressing a small-boy impulse
to throw up the whole project and re-
turn to his ranch. That, Of course,
would be silly. He was here for a good
time and he'd have a good time II It
killed him. He'd be comfortable at
Benington's. BenningtOn's was the next
thing to home.
Bennington's greeting was hearty
Bennington himself. fat. friendly, and
brimful Of Christmas cheer, shook
hands warmly and showed a flatterine 4
pleasure over his arrival
ANY kids in the hotel?" worse asked I
the question as he Strengthened after
inscribing his name IN the register.
Bennington stared
Nope. Why2 Fraid they'd make
noise?"
Like he'll I am. Thought it would be
sort of Christmassy to have some
around, that's all"
Bennington looked apologize.
mot many folks here now. Only
about dozen. Most OF 'em gone off on
visits. But we've made the place
al right. all right. Aiu't
that an eyeful2"
He made an enveloping gesture to-
ward the lobby. It's walls were
decorated with Christmas wreaths bear
ing bright red bows and a Christmas
Tree decorated with vari-colored electric
bulbs and frosted tinsel glittered in a
corner.
Fine" Worse approved. ANY folks
know In the house2"
'Fraid not. All got the Christmas
pug and flew the coop"
Davids heart sank. Stranded, he re-
-lected bitterly. A stranger in the big
:ity. A whole lot more lonely here than
ne would have been on his remote
'anch. But he was in for it. He'd see It
through
He recalled this conversation now as
le sat before the fire in his aparlor,"
taring into the flames and increasing
y regretting his impulsiveness. Only /
i've O'Clock. A full hour to be killed ]
'efcre supper and no way to kill it.
lie hadn't come to the city to sit before I
he fire and smoke. He could do those |
Kings anywhere. He jumped to his (
Get, picked up the OvercOat and hat
ie had dropped in the nearest chair, /
'ut them on. and ran lightly down the I
wo flights Of stairs to the lobby. He !
ould have taken an elevator, but the 8
lea did not occur TO him.
Going out for a spell, he told the Z
andlord. ibid you say there was about Z
dozen folks left Ia the hoteIq"
yep. Mostly travelling men. But {
heres an old lady, Mrs. Spence, and ]
girl with her that looks after her. q
nd there's a pair from New York, '
rother and sister. They're young and g
asy TO look at Hard-boiled, though, b
d say. Name Is Bryant. The young 2
HAS looking for q ranch. Wants to
~ one and grow up with the coun-
y; Bennington grinned He had seen a a