The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-03-22

He
Published by Special Arrangement With The
Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate. Inc.
CPART TWO
Later in the evening Nellie fixed a
! bed for Forrest on the couch in the
, dining room. She didn't see him again
that night. When she came down in
the morning she found. him sleeping
peacefully in black pajamas with a
green monogram, and looking very
young, except for the silly mustache.
John Cooper came home and she
gave him his breakfast in the kitchen.
After he had gone upstairs to bed she
wondered if she should give the others
bacon and eggs for breakfast or just
eggs.
"Come here, Sis" called out Forrest.
He was lying on his back with his
hands under his head. "Sit down." He
moved over Hospitality.
II have to get breakfast"
"Oh, talk to a fellow. You don't see
me every day." Nellie sat down. "Sore
at me, aren't you?" He reached for her
hand and smoothed her roughened
fingers.
II don't understand you, Forrest"
IT don't understand you, either" he
answered. IF everybody understood
everybody there'd be no need of faith
What a surprising thing for Forrest
to say. do YOU have faith?" she asked
curiously.
He grinned. "Sure, why not? And
sometime, when I'm az old as daddy,
I hope to have understanding, too" He
reached up and touched her smooth,
dark hair. "You don't look a bit old,
Nellie. You should have gone on the
STAGE"
She laughed. Nonsense. Where were
you last EVENING""
II went to see an old friend, Merton
Gladwin, of the Merton Gladwin stock
company playing down town at the
Castle. Lucky I went, too. His character
man is sick, and I'm going to help
him out tonight"
what do you mean? You're going
to act on the stage?" Forrest nodded.
But you can't. Not on the day your
fathers buried"
you're working today, Nellie. And
your husband will work tonight"
That's different. That's necessary"
mo more necessary than this. The
play tonight has been advertised for a
week. Programs printed, house sold
out. 1.-THE Square Triangle"-I've played
in it before. Gladwin was tearing his
hair when I showed up"
But why should you act tonight just
to please this GladWin?"
1T isn't just that. Why does any one
work? Give me my pants, there ON
that chair"
She handed him his trousers and
held them up. "Peek-a-boo," he said,
looking at her through the thin seat.
@ o
The services at l o'clock brought
them into a Semblance of harmony.
People whispered, Those two men are
Mrs. Cooper's brothers. The handsome
n is an actor and the other is well
to do. Old Dr.. Belts certainly had three
fine children"
When they arrived home from the
cemetery Ina's headache was so bad
that Rod decided to wait over another
day. He made her comfortable in a
darkened room, then went down to
the kitchen.
ANY errands?" he asked Nellie. I'm
going for a walk"
1--WE need bread" She gave him a
dime from a purse in the cupboard. AS
o O as she had gotten her husband
off to work, she sank down in Daddy
Belts old rocking chair. It was her
first real letdown, and it seemed as
If she couldn't bear it any longer. All
of them at cross-purposes, pulling and
hauling. Another CHASTITY meal to go
through with. Rod hadn't even offered
to pay for the bread. From the dis
lance she heard Forrest rehearsing out
loud. The tea kettle wa boiling. She
reused herself, made a pot of tea, and
carried it up to Ina.
Supper was over, and Forrest had
already left for the theater when. Roo
returned. The walk seemed to have
done him good. Fine night outside"
he said briskly. Flows Ina?"
"She drank a little tea. I think she's
asleep"
Rod sat down to his h%eated-up sup
per. walked all the way downtown
and back. Come here" He lowered his
voice so that Rita, in the kitchen,
couldn't hear. taking a little envelope
from his pocket, he exposed three red
pasteboards, Tickets for that show"
he muttered. II thought we'd go and
take the kid-give us something to do"
I'll do no such thing, Rod Belts!
Whatever's got into you?"
"Oh, I don't know. Thinking about
the old man, I guess. And besides, I'd
kind of like to see just how bum an
actor Forrest is" Rod grinned ma
liciously.
"You can go if you want to. But you'll
not take Rita and me-"
Where are we going, mother?" Rita
from the doorway, spied the red tickets.
"Oh, are we going to see Uncle Forrest
act?"
"You and I aren't" said Nellie IT
can't speak for Rod"
"Oh, mother, please! Please let's CO."
Rita bursted into a torrent of pleading.
But Nellie was steadfast.
Rod finished his supper. well, make
I'D yOur mind. I'm going. ANYWAY"