Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-01-22

daughter-in-law. the boarder had asked
him TO 90 out for a walk. During that
walk the older man had again boosted
of the way in which he and Mrs. Perry
had lulled Mr.. Perry's suspicious to
rest. He had also confided to his young
friend the fact that he had just made
widow and intended to slow down
bit as regarded Mrs. Perry.
Rudolf had listened to him with a
strange mixture Of loathing and in
terest as. not for the first time, he
asked himself why Providence allowed
such a man as Franklin Channon not
only to prosper as regarded his mater
ial circumstances, but also to pursue
such q way of life with success.
At last. after the boarder had boast
ed his fill, he glanced at his watch
and. with mysterious smile, observed,
I'm off now to see my new friend.
She has nobody belonging to her in this
great city, and call cheers her up.
Best tell your mother she mustn't be
frightened if I'm bit later than usual
tonight"
When Rudolf reached home he found
to his relief that the visitor had gone,
and that his mother and Cathie were
preparing to go to bed. He felt hot
and excited. and Mrs. Avery, who was
always aware when the smallest thing
allied her son, said suddenly, you don't
look well tonight, my dear. Why not
take Just a little dose of the effer
Vescent salts?"
AS she spoke she was taking up the
bottle and measuring out a dose of its
contents into big glass. He did not
combat her suggestion, though he
would have preferred plain ice water,
for he was hoping she would soon leave
him and Cathie to have little time
alone together.
Taking up the glass. Mrs. Avery
walked across to the water cooler, and
turned the tap.
ing a word she limped off and filled 1t
up with unnecessary energy. and then
she faced Cathie Stevens with indig-
nant, accusing eyes. There now! You
forgot to put the water in again. It's
too bad"
Cathie turned away and her shoul-
ders began to heave ominously. She
had learned in the last "a hours that
her future husbands mother disliked
her, and this was the last straw.
Rudolf took up the glass He went
across to the Sideboard and poured
the white grains back into the battle.
IT don't want that, he said irritably.
IN Just take a glass of plain water.
I'd make myself Ill, hot as am, drink
ing a big glassful of iced water" Then
he exclaimed. by the way, Mr.. Chan
non said he expected to be later than
usual tonight"
He did not wait to hear what he
knew would be a tart answer. He was
aware that his mother seemed always
very much put out when the boarder
stayed out really late, and he couldn't
think why. 1t wasn't as If Mr.. Chan |
non made any noise. He would creep
in noiselessly on tiptoe. having left his |
shoes outside the door.
Hurrying off into the kitchenette. |
Rudolf held the glass under the tap
he drank his fill. and felt distinctly |
better than he had done few minutes |
ago. And then, all at once 1t was as II 1
his heart stood still, for he heard his |
mothers voice, clear. pitiless and low: |
LAS you ask me, I'd say the truth, |
Cathie. think you're right. I'm sure
YOU could never make Rudolf really /
happy. Although he doesn't realize it, |
he has lived all his life with someone
who never forgets anything. and in a |
home where nothing is ever out Of
place or left lying about. know my
son better than he knows himself.
and"
Rudolf Avery strobe into the room. \
Motherp he exclaimed in a tone Of !
anger and pain. Il must /
ask you to go to bed and leave Cathie /
and me together. You are wrecking /
my hfe-that's what you're doing, for |
all you think that you love me so
much"
Mrs. Avery rose from the chair on
which she had been sitting. Il never
heard Of such a thing-a son ordering |
his mother off to bed! I'm going to |
stay here till It suits me to retire. But
II Cathie Is wise she viii go 70 bed
Il can't force you to do what think |
you ought to do. mother. but forbid
Cathie 10 20 to bed. I've got to talk to
her"
'iyot tonight" said Mrs. Avery res
olutely. The morning brings good
as I've often heard Mr.. Chan
non say"
Damn Mr.. Channoni" cried Rudolf
iuriously.
How long did the three sit there in
what seemed to the young man a grim
and ominous Silence2 It was long,
long time, for none Of them felt In
clined 20 give In.
CTo Be Continued