The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-07-27

kAAASO44S AuSoOASAAy IA okAS ASo4SN w
ask, now stayed unspoken on the girls
tongue. Daddy was so different from
Mons. He wouldn't even know you
were there unless you made a noise
or said something. He wa thinking
about something or other that had to
do with the sun machine all the time.
But at last she dared. 'Da-addy!"
she whispered.
Cass Odom started. He had not real
ly been busy at anything important,
for the sun machine was running bet
ter than it ever had gone. But that
throbbing ache in the back of the mans
, head seemed to spur him on and on
to unremitting though now fruitless
effort on the same old problem.
Got a supercharger there!" he NUT
tered, pressing the occipital portion of
his skull as he looked around vacantly
at his daughter.
"Oh-h, I didn't see you! What is it
-honey?" A pause before the awk-
ward endearment. Why? He certain
ly loved her after his own fashion.
Daddy, please! I want my dolls!'
II want my dolls'-less assured. The
blue eyes started to fill with tears.
Him. Why-where are they?" He
had glanced at the scanty contents of
her suitcase and remembered not see
ing any playthings. Didn't you bring
them along?"
"N-no. Mons forgot to pack them.
Mons was-sick. She couldn't hardly
move. All my dolls-Jimmyboy, Rag
gedy Ann, Peter Rabbit, and Mrs.
Chum-are-are still in the chest!"
"You mean they're back in your room
at Montgomery" The man knew, of
course, that Jennie had not retained
this room. More than likely she owed
money to the landlady, and if that
were the case the dolls, together with
other effects, doubtless were being held
as security, Or had been sold.
Eyes, daddy. G-get them for me,
won't you?"
A savage grimace comforted the
mans countenance. He could not COM
ply, yet he did attempt to break the
truth to Nancy as gently as possible.
As soon as he could do so he blundered
away, seeking refuge from her sorrow
in the tool shed. This, too, was a mock
cry now, with nearly everything useful
gone. Outside Of the lathe there was
nothing to which he could put his
! hands. Nothing-ju jus a discarded tele-
phone switchboard, a tumble of other
metal and useless junk, stuff which,
with forging, welding, and technical
makeshift, he had been won't to trans
form into needed parts for the hungry
sun machine.
Gid Mccall was happy. Certain ger
rymanderings Of the districts allotted
to the statesmen of his company had
given him Mobile and Mobile county,
with Blackjack the extremity of his
northwestward journeying. This promo
ton, with the Christmas buying sea
son only a few months away, meant
bigger and better commissions, a Wild
er smile on his pleasant face. He stop
ped at Blackjack to tell his sister AMI
brother-in-law the news.
This accomplished, he drove the
truck down to the drug store. He knew
the candy there was fresh, so he pur-
chased at least a sample of every kind,
spending two dollars for an immense
bag. Then he drove out to the Odom
place.
That visit and the happiness it
brought to Nancy may be left to imag-
nation. Cas- Odom did not put in an
appearance. The very next day was the
one on which the engineer promoter
was scheduled to arrive, and Cass was
In a fever Of fussing and doing things
already done. The sun machine was
going well, yet he could not let it alone.
While Nancy was entertaining Gid,
alternately cycling him gravely as a
woman, then chattering happily like a
baby of five, the salesman was doing
some thinking.
what would you like to have me
send you some time from down Mobile
way?" he inquired, thinking of Christ
mas.
"A doll" she cried instantly, eyes
sparkling with fervor. %, a doll, MI.
Gid! ~" Words failed.
you'll get one, sweetie!" he assured.
Later he tackled Cass Odom. Get
| Nancy q DOLL" he commanded. you're
a mighty poor imitation Of a father,
! Odom! She had to ask me for some
thing to play with. OF course I'll send
her one, but it'd be a damn sight bet
ter coming from you-and right away!
The poor kids crazy for something to
love. Get her q DOLL"
Cass stared blankly. What was this
foolishness? He only partially under
stood, for the pain In back of his head
was bearing down with trip hammer
intensity. Nancy was still talking about
dolls? Well, he couldn't get them now
maybe later. Right away? o, to
hell with non-essentials, dolls, dolls
everything!
Cornelius Stratton was in Chicago
ON the day he had appointed to visit
the sun machine. Cas- Odom did not
guess. Three hours after the evening
train had come and gone he gave up
his days vigil.
The sun machine still ran, and now