The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-05-11
By Isabel Johnston

For the first time Rodney noticed
that Miss Edmonds, OF was it Edwards,
was young. hardly more than two or
three years older than Cecilia herself,
and quite a charming person, hazel
eyes and with soft light hair that
waved pleasantly over a wide forehead.
Only her high cheek bones and deli
cately followed cheeks gave her a sug-
gestion Of sophistication and the I'M
derstanding that comes with expert
ence.
cts not much fun for you listening
to an old engaged man." Rodney apo
logized.
IT wouldn't listen If I didn't enjoy
It. I am clever at making an escape"
IA couple of the boys from the oil
camp may fly over in a day or two. I
must introduce them to you as a re-
ward for letting me bore you," Rodney
promised.
20, I'm here on a holiday. It's ex-
! element enough just being in a ra-
ther strange place." she laughed. "Be-
sides I'm not thinking of getting mar
ried. I want to see the world and have
my fun. I'm afraid I enjoy flirting
with lots of people. I'm not like your
Cecilia"
mo, you're not" he agreed. "But
you'll fall hard one of these days Just
the same"
I'D like the experience" she laughed
amused at the idea. Maybe you and
your oil camp cottage and meet one
~ 49, all L@41o1@~o - Is1 1~-~
lest"
"You bet we would" he said heartily.
zone of the grand things about Cecilia
is that she is such a born hostess. I
could tell that by the way she treated
old ladies, you know, and all the bores
on the ship"
If Miss Edwards wanted to smile at
being classed with bores, she gave no
sign. Rodney was too occupied ex-
pounding Cecilia's loneliness to be aware
of his unconscious slight Of her. He
went on with what had now become
a m%onologue.
Cecilia is feminine and gracious,
and yet is a grand little sport as well.
"Take her coming out here to me.
Most girls would be afraid Of Offend
ing the conventions and having some
old cat like Hatfield over there talk
about them. But Cecilia, bless her, said
nothing mattered if I needed her. She
would not make me wait diddling
around in misery, until I could come
up and be passed on by all her rela-
tives and friends. Another girl would
have demanded a big church we'd
ding so she could show off her we'd
ding presents and make her unmar
ried friends jealous. Not Cecilia. She
would be married in blue serge, If
needs be, and you know a wedding
dress means a hell of a lot to a girl"
eyes, I suppose So" admitted Miss
Edmonds thoughtfully.
Here I am, boring you again. You
will have to forgive a man in love-"
"You don't bore me-" said Miss Ed
mOnds. II think love is always inter-
esting to talk about"
When they brought his breakfast and
paper up to his room next morning
Rodney searched eagerly for news Of
Cecilia's ship. He was much upset to
read that a storm was sweeping the
ours of Cecilia's route. The delicious
paw paws and fig bananas were taste
less to him, he was so horribly con-
cerned. He dressed restlessly and went
for a long stride around the Savan-
nah when it was hardly Z o'clock.
Miss Edmonds in a white and yell
low sports frock vas looking unusually
bright and happy on the veranda as
he came up the drive. He was feeling
moody and ugly and a bit inclined to
resent her cheerfulness, but the need
for q confidant was too much for him.
He gave her a curt good morning, as
he walked up and down in front of
her chair for q few moments, and then
blurted out:
1T would be awful If poor Cecilia
were seasick."
Rough seas?" she inquired very SOL
icitously, in spite of her sunny o
tune.
every bad" he frowned.
But nothing ever happens to ships
nowadays"
Rodney stopped and stared at her,
aghast. In his worry over the thought
Of Cecilia's being seasick, shipwreck had
never occupied his thoughts. Now a
whole panorama Of disaster swept over
his all too fertile imagination. He saw
the ship tossing wildly, frantic sailors
rushing around the waveswept, listing
decks, the steamer slowly settling, and
his poor Cecilia stumbling up on deck
with ont a soul to look after her. He