Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-09-06
BERTHE on a Bust
BY Chef GRANT
g, By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Service.

GE0RGIE BLAKE heard his moth
er's voice coming closer; in the
room, now. George, get up. | wan
you to go to the city"
AT the sound of the magic wore
George became instantly awake. IDLE
you say you wanted me to go to the
city. Ma? When? Now? Who's go
ing? What for?" He plunged toward
the bathroom.
In half an hour. | want you to
lake Cousin BERTHE to Casey's for
some suits. They're having a sale
What
Georgie's shocked face appeared be-
tween the folds of the rubber curtain.
Hey, Ma. are you crazy? Imagine
me taking that little hellion to New
YORK. Good nightr"
"Bertie is not a helIlon." Mrs. Blake
said sharply. How often must | tell
you to speak respectfully OF your
cousins. Besides. Bertha isn't going,
Just BERTHE. He won't be any trouble"
You're right" George cried. Hell
be a riot"
casey's was crowded. George kept
a grip on Bertie's hand and took the
elevator TO the children's department.
A salesgirl came tripping up the a r
peted aisle. Some new suits for the
little boy? Right this way, please
Their we're thousands Of suits and
George and the salesgirI spent a lot
OF time over them. Suddenly George
was conscious that BERTHE was miss
ing. 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 scream
Ing somewhere or behold the sprinkler
system 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 d counter
corner and yelled: "Boot" at Geor-
gle, then ducked and ran.
George gave chase, but 1t was fu-
tile. BERTHE disappeared again.
In the sporting goods department.
two floors down, George spied Berthe
again. BERTHE heard his triumphant
shout and leaped into the middle of q
large pool of brook trout set low on
the floor. George In his mad haste,
followed. Water geysered every
where. Fish fip-flopped on the floor.
Women screamed.
Ii was the blond girl from the chill
dren's department who rescued them
the detective. She showed them
into a small stock room. "Yon can
hang your clothes on those steam
she said. "Nobody'n bother
you here
George stripped Berthe to his shirt
and himself to his singIet and shorts.
4 ought to sock you." he snapped at
much chastened BERTHE, who, sens
ing the righteousness OF a betting
from George. expected the worst. He
let out a yell of fear and dashed from
The room. George roared In exas-
.oeration and charged after him Into q
deserted bundle room just In time to
see BERTHE disappear down a bundle
In the floor.
BERTHE shot out of the chute onto a
ong smooth table. He tumbled hast
~ off and ran for an open door that
ed out on the street floor. There
we're thousands of people packed
lround the counters. BERTHE looked
or a good safe place to hide. There
vas an opening in the wall. He
topped into 1t quickly and all at once
here was peace and quiet.
Meanwhile George was upstairs
his clothes hastily. saying
much under his breath. He rushed
0 the street floor. He sought out q
IoorWalker at once I'm looking for
little hoy running around In his
George said. "Have you seen
im?"
Its been a very warm day." the
said, siding away. Just a min
tie please" George didn't wait. He
ecided to get a policeman. He went
Inside but there wasn't one In sight.
He became conscious of q thick
altering before one OF the windows.
'erhaps he might be there. George
ushed his way through the crowd.
lie glanced In the window, and his
turned right over.
BERTHE was In that window. 1T had
nee been a beautiful bedroom suite
but 1t wasn't any more. 1t
as upset like Berries mothers bed
pom at home. The highboy drawers
p%parently had been used for q step
oder. and BERTHE had evidently been
imbing up on them, and had leaDed
on the bed. Right now he
as fast asleep In the middle OF an
tpensive counterpane. his flushed
lerubic features belying any recent
Tilt.
George pushed his way out OF the
'owd. That's him." he heard a ia
liar voice crow. He wslted. A Sc
re looking mar came up with the
and took him by the arm.
ithout a word they led George to
elevator and up to an inner office.
George quaked. The damage. The
1rnar prohahIy fharn would No