The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-12-07

of Amerieos newspapers osd IS o'e
america.
not remember when he had felt so gay.
He had tried to burn up the frozen
roads in his haste to reach the goal OF
his sudden dream. He had broken all
the speed laws and skidded dangerously
around sharp curves. He had been
overtaken by the blizzard, but what OF
that? Billiards 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 Cne
plains had been. But hundreds OF
lighted windows winked at him through
the whirling snow and his heart rose
and sank. This was good idea-thls
breaking away from the familiar rut
and having real holiday whirl.
He drove to the house where his two
pals lived together and met stagger-
ing disappointment. They had gone
away for week.
David felt stunned. 1t had not &C.
Cured to him that they would not be
here. Now, without them, the city was
abruptly empty. He had plenty Of &C
quaintances in it, but he had no other
intimates. He went back to his car with
slow steps and drove on to Bennlng-
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 good
time and he'd have good time If II
killed him. He'd be comfortable al
Benington's. Bennington's was the next
thing to home.
Benningtons greeting was hearty
Bennington himself, fat, friendly, and
brimful of Christmas cheer, shook
hands warmly and showed flattering
pleasure over his arrival.
ANY kids in the hotel?" Worse asked
the question as he Strengthened after
/ inscribing his name in the register
Bennington stared.
Nope. Why? 'Fraid they'd make 6
noise?"
Like hell 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 or
visits. But we've made the place
Christmassy, all right, all right. AIM
that an eyeful?" -
He made an enveloping gesture to-
ward the lobby. It's walls were
decorated with Christmas wreaths bear
ing bright red bows and a Christina
tree decorated with vari-colored electric
bulbs and frosted tinsel glittered in ,
corner.
Fine" Worse approved. ANY folk
know in the house?"
"'Fraid not. All got the Christina
bug and flew the COOP"
David's heart sank. Stranded, he re
Elected bitterly. A stranger in the BIZ
city. A whole lot more lonely here thai
he would have been on his remot
ranch But he was in for it. He'd see
through.
He recalled this conversation now a
he sat before the fire in his 'parlor,
staring into the flames and increasing
ly regretting his impulsiveness. Onl
five o'clock. A full hour to be kille'
before supper and no way to kill il
He hadn't come to the city to sit befor
the fire and smoke. He could do thos
things anywhere. He jumped to hi
; feet, picked up the overcoat and ha
he had dropped in the nearest chail
put them on, and ran lightly down tn
two flights of stairs to, the lobby. H
could have taken an elevator, but tn
: idea did not occur to him.
Going out for a SPELL" he told tn
| landlord "Did VOL saw there was ah0I
dozen folks left in the hotel?"
yep. Mostly travelling men. Blu
there's an old lady, Mrs. Spence, an
girl with her that looks after he.
And there's a pair from New Yorl
!. brother and sister. They're young an
easy to look at. Hard-boiled, though
I'd say. Name IS Bryant The youn
fella's looking for ranch. Wants t
buy one and grow up with the coun
try; Bennington grinned. He had seen