Montana oil and mining journal., 1936-01-18
Dancing for Debutantes


Published BY special Arranssmsnss with IN
chicaso Tribuns-New YORK News Syndicate
CCopyriEht; 1885: BY Marsaret =. sangster
CN TWO PARTS PART ONE
Anything Can Happen When a WIFI
Takes a Prolonged Vacation. As AErs
Pearson, Fair and Forty and Fond o.
Dancing, Discovers.
WODD PEARSON watched his wife
swaying past In the arms Of tai
young man who combined the rela-
/ tive merits OF q collar ed and q foot
ball star. Quite analytically he noted
the sleek suggestion Of 3 wave IN hel
hair. the clear bronze OF her back, the
slendernesS of her ankles. He told him.
self, "Bella's younger than she was
when we were married. Time has moved
backward for her" He sighed and
added mentally, Myself, I'm older
than Godl"
One of the chaperones came clump-
ing across the room toward him. The
country club still insisted that its
weekly dances have chaperones. Some
thing in the original charter, no doubt, "
Bella Pearson explained to her friends.
Todd numbered to his feet at the
dowager's approach and bowed more
or less from the waist. The chaperone
said:
'T saw you sitting over here alone
and was alone, too. / thought" a
faded attempt at archness here, that
two might be company"
Todd dragged forward an overstugfed
chair and placed it beside his own.
II was lonely" he said with a no
ticeable lack Of enthusiasm, "it's nice
Of you to take pity"
Bella Pearson came swaying past
again-sleek waves, bronzed back, slim
ankles, ct al. The only change was her
partner. The last one had been dark,
The chaperone gushed, Mrs. Pear
son is so pretty, and what a lovely
dancerl You're lucky man to have
such a charming, popular" was there
a yelled suggestion of claw? wife.
But" yes, the claws were very much
In evidence, why don't you ever dance
with her yourself, Mr.. Pearson?"
Todd answered glumly, Il don't
dance"
The chaperone gurgled, "But I'm
sure you could learn. I'm sure you
could!"
Todd said, 'I don't want to learn.
Say, wouldn't you like an ice or a
lemonade or something?"
The chaperone dropped her voice.
Preferably something" she told Todd,
and he went off in search of q high
ball, and that was that. Only as he
continued TO watch his Wife-alWays
encrtcled by ardent, alien arms, al
ways demonstrating to the nth degree
the poetry of motion-a sense Of Bit
ternesS began to take root in the dark
places of his soul
It was the next morning at break
fast that the bitterness bore fruit.
Todd Pearson was drinking his sec
Ond cup Of coffee-black and sugarless
when his wife trailed into the din
ing room. She didn't look quite as juv-
emile by the cold light Of morning as
she had to the tune Of waltz. But her
negligee was rosy chiffon and her
feet were thrust into silver mules and
her hair was as sleek as overland |
withal she wasn't hard on the eyes.
She said:
Morning, my pet. Did you have a
good time last night?"
Todd growled, you asked me that |
on the way home from the club. The
answers the same now as 1t was then |
II had lousy time; always dol Why /
you make me go to those darn af-
fairs"
Bella stifled a yawn behind three
slender, ruby tipped fingers. She said:
People would talk If you didn't take
me to the dances"
Todd answered, rPeople talk any
way. You and your gigolosl Why can't
you stay home and play rIlmmy or Rus
sian bank for q change and let the
debutantes do the dancing? You're
lorty"
Bella didn't grow angry. Todd wished
briefly that she would She said:
Il don't feel forty. And dance bet
,er than most Of the kids. If you ever
iook the trouble to watch me, darling,
md make comparisons"
Todd growled his interruption. I've
watched you so often that I'm dizzy.
I'm worn out watching you. Can I
lave another cup of coffee?"
Bella poured the third cup with her
yes averted. Not because she was an
loyed; because she was running
through the morning mail.
"A letter from Bebe Cummings"
he said brightly, at last, @she's off to
florida to open her winter house. She
wants me to come along for q month
r two: 1t would be fun. Bebe and I
ave such good times together"
Todd asked Sourly, We'll, why don't
ou go? You and Bebe Cummings
ould dance on the sands under the
ropic moon and the palm trees. think
'ebe," Todd spoke with the contempt
man for his wife's bosom friend,
Is a flat tire. I've always thought so"
Bella came over to her husbands
ide Of the table and seated herself
n the arm Of his chair and ran fingers
nrough the straightness Of his thin
ing hair.
What cranky boy it is" she said
After all, Bebe and roomed together
! school and I was her bridesmaid and
be was my matron of honor. And
hen Dan Cummings died and left
er that money Dearest, wouldn't
Oh miss me dreadfully If went2"
All at once Todd knew that the
hole thing was plan. That Bella's
good humor was q part of
!; that the letter Of invitation had
OF been unexpected He said
mo, won't miss you Not incurably.
nd IL you're away q month won't
ave TO go to four Of the club dances.
can stay home Saturday nights and
sad good detective story :"
Bella's hand continued to tousle her