The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-05-04

and pulled out a joke. that had never
tailed to win a laugh from Anne in
all the five years OF their married life.
But tonight it died. Anne smiled po-
ltely but absently, and then returned
her whole attention to Ashworth. And
Ashworth expanded. He revealed him.
self as a connoisSeur Of feminine fash
ions. In complimenting Anne on her
gown, he even mentioned the Partisan
c%outurier who had designed the origi-
nal model.
His conversation betrayed him also
as a golfer almost in Bobby Jones class.
He spoke Of their game that afternoon,
and while insisting his victory over
Allan was largely in the nature of a
fluke, he conveyed the information
that concentration over the very faults
of style Allan now possessed, three
years before had made him the con-
sistent player he was today.
They sat at dinner under full light,
and Ashworth praised the dinner and
its planning and the loneliness of the
little white house.
Mice little place." he complimented.
Il get around to some of the big houses
for Observation-Disclosures Long Is
land, Greenwich. But none of them
has the atmosphere this house has.
If you'll pardon me, Mrs. Stanwich, I
believe it reflects your unusual person.
atty
He made Allan sick! Ladling out the
salve on a whitewash brush! Why
couldn't he be more subtle? But Anne
seemed to be eating it up. CHANGING
uneasily at her, he found her absorbed.
To break that absorption he ventured
a question as to the value of Anican
Oil stock. They both stared at him
as at an intruder. AShworth didn't
even deign to answer it and Anne did
MT seem to care.
Allan wondered what he had ever
seen in Ashworth. Sure, he was a good
mixer. But that was his job. He was
the kind you'd be glad to meet on a
long trip. He was the kind you might
enjoy hunting Of fishing with. But
he wasn't exactly the type you'd care
to have as a frequent guest in your
home. He knew all his own good
points too well.
And since he knew so well how to
please a woman, why was he a bache-
lor? And he seemed to know women
Practically admitted it. Women peered
furtively, dim figures half revealed in
A4o SooAo4 l 4OOdp1
was a rounder. Maybe that's what made
him a little soft. He wasn't physically
as hard as Allan, though. Allan adj
mitted, he was better looking.
And this Anican Oil stock. What
was it? Who was Tim Banner, the
president? Who, for that matter, was
Ashworth? Might be a good idea to
investigate through the bank before
sinking money into a proposition that
might be phony. Ashworth's voice, oily
but persistent, got on his nerves.
Anne was the hit of the evening.
too big a hit, if you asked him. After
all, she vas a married woman. He
watched her glide away in Ashworth's
arms and turned to become the butt of
heavy, envious, male humor.
M wonder you've kept Anne buried.
You're afraid to let her out. You'd
lose her! What a knockout she is!
How about bridge some night next
week, Allan. Bring your wife,"
The stag line shifted on her every
round. She got no rest. Anne's eyes
were shining. He got part of the sew
enth dance?"
What do you think of Anican Oil?"
he asked gruffly.
"Anican OIL" she repeated dreamily.
o, Allan, isn't he charming!"
AshWorth himself touched her on the
arm, congratulating himself on one of
the pleasantest evenings Of his career.
He was sure he had impressed her and
had a swell time doing it. All he had
TO DO now was to get Stanwick's check.
MI. Ashworth," came the sudden
amazing statement from her shoulder.
i've investigated Anican Oil and I've
found 1t isn't what you represented it to
be to my husband. I've had q lovely
evening. You must come to see us
some time"
The music had stopped and Ash
worth stared at her. Her mouth was
smiling, but her eyes were no longer
serene. They were opaque.
Allan" Anne Stanwick said as she
stood 1 front Of the dresser watching
herself unlock her evening gown and
, LIT 1t over her head. "You were per-
1ectly right. We haven't been going
out enough. I've been an awful fool.
burying myself like this . Tonight was
time"
"Yeh." Allan agreed unenthusiasti-
cally. 1T wasn't bad. Say, Anne.
what do you think of Anican Oil?"
o, that! Let's buy a lot of it. I'm
r MI. Ashworth would never mislead
ANYBODY. He dances so wonderfully"
Al!an's eyes had fallen on a telegram
on the dresser. He picked it up idly.
1t was addressed to James Hurley,
president of the Fariview bank. It read:
Tim Banner served five years
~Leavenworth using mails to de-
fraud. Anican oil property largely
unimproved leases. Earnestly adj
wise against investments. Sims"
whats this?" he demanded.
Telegram. MI. Hurley investigated
Anican for me. But, Allan, I don't be-
heve that report. As you say, banks
make suckers out of their depositors.
They pay us three or four per cent