Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-12-31

scented nountoin Dir.
fingers lowering over the embroidery
in her lap we're tipped with glisteninl
red. She manicured and lacquered hel
nails every two or three days, some
times trying one tint. sometimes an
other.
At the bedroom door Annie tried K
I push the dog back before her mother
saw him. Her mother wouldn't let him
/ stay in the house a minute, but this
I time she didn't even notice him.
Mrs. Provence stood at the back OF
/ Della's chair looking at something W
/ the road. She had been so intent on
whatever it was that she hadn't taken
the time to go herself to call Annie
but had sent the old man. Della was
leaning from the chair as close as she
could to the window, the old man was
at the other window looking out. But
all three turned when they heard
Annie.
Mr.. Blackford and Mrs. Provence
waited to let Della speak first It was
their custom. If possible, to let Della
have the privilege of speaking first.
Even though deprived Of the power of
movement she certainly enjoyed to the
A0AAlob bAAC DOWGA VI oRICLAAs OAAE Sill y
ed her body sideways In the chair to
face Annie.
Her voice trembled with excitement
and eagerness. Annie" she said, Mrs.
Pryor Is dead"
Annie wiped the sweat off her upper
lip with her sleeve and frowned at
Della as if she hadn't heard.
Il said Mrs. Pryor is dead" Della
repeated.
How do you know"
''Dr. Graves went by and"
SHOOT" Annie interrupted That's
nothing. He's been going by every day
for week"
ayes, but wait minute. You didn't
let me finish telling you. He went by,
but few minutes ago Herman Little
went by. DR.. Graves has gone on back
to town now but the undertaking car
is still down there in the road in front
Of the gate. -Herman's been out to 1t
once and then he went back in the
house. They wouldn't need Herman
Little down there but for one thing"
The canary in the cage that was
hanging in the sunshine at the south
window suddenly burst into an exult-
ant loud thrilling that broke the still
ness in the room.
Annie went in and sat down heavily
on the foot Of her mothers bed as If
all the strength had suddenly been
knocked out OF her. Ordinarily Mrs. /
Provence wouldn't permit anyone to |
sit on the bed, MASKING and rumpling I
the pristine smoothness of the spread, I
but now she didn't say a word.
Foxy slipped in softly and stood with /
MS big head motionless against Armies |
knee. Automatically her hand reached /
)ut and stroked his head. Mrs. Prov
ence's eyes rested on the dog without |
being aware that he was there. She
vas too excited to be conscious that /
re was where he shouldn't be.
tits too bad, too bad" Mr.. Black
ord murmured In his Quavering, weak
I'D voice. Even though he had lived
here with his daughter for so many
ears, he was barely acquainted with
heir next door neighbor. and what he
new Of her he didn't like, but 1t had
llways been his habit to speak sor-
owfully Of the dead, 1t was the habit
# everyone he knew, and so now, be-
ause 1t was always done, he spoke
orrowfully of her. Poor woman, poor
goman. It's too bad she had to CO."
Great Scott" Annie said, ats not
90 bad. It's good" They we're the first
lords she had spoken since they told
L.
"Anniel" Mrs. Provence cried. Don't
ay that"
'WeI it's the honest truth. What do
on want me to say? Lie and say I'm
orry2 I'm not sorry, I'm glad"
IT know, but you oughtnt to say
D." She stared at Annie almost with
hysical fear. She herself would never
ave had the nerve to say so many
1ings that Annie said, TO sweep
verything else aside and blurt out the
ruth no matter how 1t sounded
he's surprised she died a natural
cath. She always expected TO be burnt
i've"
Annie got UP so suddenly from the
,ot of the bed that the springs creaked
udly with the release Of her weight.
I'm going over there" she said
Della laughed. You're not losing
uch time, are you? Now she's gone"
Maybe you oughtn't 70, Annie. It
ont look just right. You running
yer there the minute she's out Of the
riddle. Rodney win need me-"
She went quickly out Of the house
Id down the steps, across the yard
Id out the gate and along the path
] the embankment above the road.
alfway between the two places she
,ticed for the first time that she still
Id tightly In her hand the torn ging-
lHu strings she had been using on
e tomato vines.
She hung them on the fence, then
e stood there for second or two
'lding hard to the top Of the paling.
le was trembling and her skin was
ammy. She felt that she was still in
e garden. The news had come too
ddenly, she couldn't realize 1t COM