Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-03-09

pubssshsd bv epecsaf Axrsnwsmens VITA II.
Ohfcago Trihune-Nkw YORK News syndicate. Inc
(Copyrisht, 1885, ~ MeIia Russell Aecanuml
part oRgD
| A STORY or THE MAGIC FULFILL
IAEENT OF DADDY BETTS' ONE LAST
WISH FOR BIS CHILDREN TO BE
FRIENDS
Daddy Belts sat in the sun. blue
plaid shawl wrapped about his shout
ders, an old medical journal open on
his knees. There was q chill in the
air off Lake Michigan, although the
September sun was warm. The back
i yard was typical OF older Chicago. A
narrow fenced area Of clothes lines
and stunted grass behind gray wood
en- two-story and basement house.
A gold-headed ebony cane rested
against the arm Of Daddy Bets old
rocking chair. He wasn't reading. His
bright blue eyes were fixed on the row
Of Sooty asters which his daughter Mel
| lie had planted along the alley fence.
The thin face with the fine high nose
was calm, half smiling, half sad. He
wasn't really looking at the flowers at
all, but at some inner vision. No one
would suspect that the frail paralytic
had once been DR.. Forrest Belts, bus
Ting physician in 8 Michigan lumber
town.
The kitchen screen door slammed
and his daughter came out with bas-
ket Of clothes. Nellie Belts had been
fine-Iooking girl Even now, as the
=, 81 rl4n
was still fine looking, tall, rangily built,
dark and vivid. But the eyes were too
intense, bespeaking struggle against
terrible odds. "Are you warm enough,
daddy?" she called.
Eyes, thank you, daughter"
She hung up the clothes. then sat
down cross-legged on the grass beside
her father "I mustn't stay long, I
haven't made the roOmers' beds yet"
'You look like a little girl, Nellie.
wish you didn't have those roomers."
But I have to have them, If I'm go
ing to send Rita to college. It's only
a year off now" At mention Of her
daughter a fierce protectiveness came
into Nellie's voice 'Rita's going to have
her chance in life, if can manage 1t"
eyes. want her to have it, too" The
old man sighed.
you're the only one who sympa-
thizes with my ambition for Rita John
pretends it isn't necessary to send her
to college-that's because he can't af-
ford it. And know better than to
expect any help from the boys"
eff only you weren't 50 bitter toward
your brothers, Nellie"
@How can I help it2 Forrest doesn't
even send you any money" Her father
stirred uneaSily and reached for the
gold-headed cane. ooh, yes, 1 know he
gives you lovely presents, but" She
broke off with sfrug.
@You mustn't be hard on Forrest. I
don't suppose actors are ever very
practical. And you know he doesn't al
ways have an engagement"
What did he want to go on the stage
for, anyway? Changing his name to
Forrest Ardmore-as If Belts wasn't
good enougfl?"
Nov, now, daughter. It's Forests
life, to live as he chooses. I've never
disapproved In fact I always encour-
aged his fondness for music and the |
drama. One winter when you were |
children myself headed an amateur
dramatic company, and we put on |
Rivals. Forrest was only |
seven, but it made a great impression |
on him So IL you want to blame any /
one for Forests being an actor, blame
me-"
Nellie smiled and patted her fathers
thin shank The smile passed Forrest
is Forrest" she said fatty. Hell never
be any different. But Rod could do
more for you and never miss it. Rod
could help Rita, too, If he wasn't so
stingy" She saw the look Of pain come
into her fathers face, and she was
sorry. But she kept on. Both the boys
look down on Jim. They think he's
Nellie, Nellie, you shouldn't talk so.
OF course, the boys respect your hus-
band. Why can't you have more faith?
Oh, II you could only see each other
as see you. Then you'd understand.
IT'S all so clear to me-"
Whats clear, daddy? What would
We understands"
you'd understand that your lives
are the logical results OF my life.
was no business man. Look at the way
sold my formula for song. And I
was seldom home. Your mother went
through great hardships. The life Of
! country doctor Is most irregular. You
and Rod reacted against all that. IN
you chose man with better
regulated habits"
Nonsense, daddy. You were wonder
'ul. What II you didn't get rich out
II your formula Think of the good it's
ioing That gold watch from the medi-
al society shows what they think Of
7ou."
Year ago Daddy Belts had worked