Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-09-05
BERTHE on a Bust
By Chef GRANT
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Service.
~ EORGIE BLAKE heard his
IL -no&L~-sr v,fno 4nnofn.. nIooor.

up. | want you to go to the city,
At the sound of the magic word
George became instantly awake.
did you say you wanted me to go
to the city, Ma? When? Now? Who's
going? What for?" He plunged to-
ward the bathroom.
"In half an hour. | want you to
take Cousin BERTHE to Casey's for
some suits. They're having a sale"
what"
Georges shocked face appeared
between the folds of the rubber
curtain. Hey, Ma, are you crazy?
Imagine me, taking that little hel.
lion to New York. Good night !"
BERTHE is not a hellion." Mrs.
Blake said sharply. How often
must | tell you to speak respect
fully of your cousins. Besides, Ber-
tina isn't going, just BERTHE. He
won't be any trouble"
you're right" George cried.
He'll be a riot"
Casey's was crowded. George
kept a grip on Berries hand and
took the elevator to the child's de
partment. A salesgirl came trip
ping up the carpeted aisle. "Some
new suits for the little boy? Right
this way. please"
There were thousands of suits
and George and the salesgirl spent
a lot of time over them. Suddenly
George was conscious that Berthe
was missing 1t was a horrible
feeling. Not the fact that Berthe
was lost, no., not that, but the fact
that any moment now he might
hear a muffled screaming some
where or behold the sprinkler sys-
tenn operating as 1t should only do
In case of fire.
BERTHE found George first. He
had gotten into a drawer of masks
and wigs In the toy department on
the next floor. Adorned In a full
flaming red beard he peeked around
a counter and yelled "Boop at
George, then ducked and ran.
George gave chase, but 1t was
futile. BERTHE disappeared again.
In the sporting goods depart
ment, two floors down. George
spied BERTHE again. BERTHE heard
his triumphant shout and leaped
into the middle of a large pool OF
brook trout set low on the floor
George, In his mad haste, followed
Water geysered everywhere. FISH
hip-flopped on the flood. Womer
screamed.
It was the blond girl from thu
children's department who rescued
them from the detective. She
showed them into a small stool
room. You can hang your clothes
on those steam-pipes," she said
"Nobody'n bother you here"
George stripped Berthe to hi
shirt and himself to his slnglet ant
shorts. Il ought to sock you," b
snapped at a much chastene'
BERTHE, who, sensing the righteous
ness OF a betting from George. ex
pected the worst. He let out a vel
of fear and dashed from the room
George roared In evaporation ant
charged after him into a deserte'
bundle room just In time to Sc
BERTHE disappear down a bundl
chute In the floor.
BERTHE shot out Of the chute ont
a long smooth table. He tumble
hastily off and ran for an open doc
that led out on the street. Their
were thousands of people packe
around the counters. Berthe locke
for a good place to hide. There wa
an opening in the wall. He steppe
into 1t quickly and all at nee ther
was peace and quiet.
Meanwhile George was upstair
donning his clothes hastily. sayin
much under his breath. He rushe
to the street floor. He sought OF
a foorwalker at once. I'm lookin
for a little boy running around |
his shirt" George said. "Hay
4 you seer himY"
|. TITS been a very warm day." tn
man said. siding away. "Just
minute, please" George didn't wal
r He decided to get a policeman. Il
I went outside but there wasn't or
In sight.
He became conscious of a thiC
gathering before one of the vii
dows. Perhaps be might be Their
George pushed his way through
the window, and his stomaC
turned right over.
BERTHE was In that window.
had once been a beautiful bedroo
(. suite display. but 1t wasn't al
more. It was upset like BERTHE
mothers bedroom at home. TT
hIghboy drawers apparently hi
been used for a s%tep-ladder, al
BERTHE had evidently been climblI
up on them, and had leaped dow
on the bed. Right now he was ia
asleep In the middle Of an e
pensive Counterpart, his flush
cherubic features belying any
cent guilt
George pushed his way out Of q
crowd. THAT'S him." he heard
familiar voice crow. He wilted.
ne severe looking man came up wi
he the detective and took him by t
g. arm. without q word they |
- naorufa m an elevator and nm