The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-09-06
BY w anace Ir,u;n

ca: He didn't want to read history, he
e ~ because he couldn't keep his mind
ou u. something about the climate, he
SAID made it so he couldn't Concentrate.
Mabel had been here ten days now.
Benny had gone back to school and she
a found an adequate Gullah nurse
tol the baby. Nothing more dramatic
1ao occurred since her arrival at Sha-
q . Eock. o, yes, and there had been
me Literary guild tea. An elderly,
!ierce Mrs. Belrose-or was it Mrs.
beuhop-had called and insisted that
Gga n civic duty were synonymous.
my Bllllngses must come with five dol
!ars Tor a fund. So they went expert
mentally to eat cake and meet grand
liotferS, who spent a lot of time telling
verse;
Then, to add insult to dullness, a
mean faced, prettyish woman came in
WIN her spirit-broken husband. She
was Just in time to stop the minutes of
n meeting by inquiring what has
your treasurer done with the $42?"
one went on, accusing theft, her voice
squirting acid while her husband vino
q That's Mrs. Charley Bryne,"
whispered Clyde. They call her the
Scourge." Mabel could readily under
stand that and she enjoyed the scourge
as a comic bit. Mabel welcomed any
amusement nowadays; this tea was
the only social contact she and Clyde
a made, as a team, at Shadow Rock.
Mabel was confused, but not entirely
dlscontented. It was nice to relax, walk
among the plumy pines, play croquet
read trash in the evening. She thought
that Clyde's two weeks from her had
improved him; yes, he was more at
tractive. She liked his new line of
small talk and stories about the hunt
ing set. They made her laugh, rather
nervouSly sometimes.
She was wondering, wondering about
Shadow Rock. What had become of
Sally Fitch, whom Clyde had written
home about? Where was Hilda Ogle-
thorpe, Clyde's generous hostess? Or
fair haired Katherine Bolt, or v~ivaciouS
Sue Blaney? Where were the rest of
the young married crowd who dined
and danced and hunted in the fabulous
Land of Joy gilded by Clyde's excited
pen?
Certainly they knew she was here.
Frequently, when she and Clyde were
strolling by the main highway, he'd
wave jauntily to a passing sports model
and explain, There's Hilda," or "The
blonde ones Katherine Bolt" These
were Wistful explanations: but Mabel,
being a wise woman, refrained from
probing too deeply into his mood. But
she was female, too, and could not re-
strain her cusiosity forever.
Honey, we ought to do something
about these people?"
do what?" She was glad it wa COM
ing at last.
II don't know. It's queer, the way
they've dropped us"
"Poor lamb" She laughed outright.
"They haven't dropped me. They've
never picked me up"
"They just don't know how sweet you
are" he said, fondling her. IF they
got one look at you they'd follow you
to the DEATH"
"They don't seem to get near enough
to feel my glamor," said Mabel.
"Of course, if you were a great anna
Mrs. who?"
"Mrs. Charley Bryne. Remember the
one who gassed the literary tea the
other day? Real society won't ask her
anywhere because she's haywire. Gets
jealous, bites her hostess and takes
Charley home when the orchestra
starts. But you, darling! The minute
you get into that crowd the women will
make a pal of you-"
", y6dll! ILLS 1lOl1 N4dDCA, VIII was
seldom coarse.
"What do you mean, o, yeah?'"
Listen, precious" Smiling like a
Giaconda, she ran her fingers through
his thick brown hair. "You don't know
how attractive this-this vacation from
me-has made you."
But what did I do to queer myself
with that gang? I can't remember get
ting tight and throwing plates or pull
ing off my hostess slippers"
I'm what's queering you, Clyde" she
said dispassionately.
"You?" Incredulously.
TN a place like this wives are a drug
on the market. But there'n lever be
men enough to 60 around. And a man
as stunning as you are, Clyde-na-
turally they'll about pull you to pieces.
Because, without me you're an extra"
A kindly hesitation.
Say It'll" he invited bitterly. IAN
extra man"
Don't look that way. Lots of men
stay single for that very reason. Look
at the prince of Wales. He'd be MOTH
ing but royalty if he had a wife tagging
along. But in a female community like
this"
"They give me a pain in the neck"
said Clyde.
ITO Be Continued)