Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-07-16

to busy myself with a test tube, but ]
was watching Spence. He had every
aspect Of a beaten man. His shoulders
dropped. A lank strand of black hair
draped his forehead. His long, tI1iu
face looked longer and thinner thar
usual. He stood shifting his weight
nerVously from one foot to the other
In toto, he was very far from the
smooth, polished barrister had known
Of yore.
He cleared his throat, and I knew
he was going to speak. All that emerged
was q question which sounded familiar.
"How's Mrs. Dump"
peeled off my lab coat and con-
fronted him.
What's doing, counselor?" I asked.
He Intentionally misconstrued the
meaning Of my question.
"Oh. nothing much, Bill. Just wanted
TO ask you TO drop up to the house to-
night. Got to draw UP an appeal on
that patent business. Lot Of hair-split-
ting there, and you1l have to help me"
Els it Maribel?" I pursued.
Gosh, mol" he stated emphatically.
shes the dearest, sweetest"
The words sounded thin to me. but
thought it best to chime IN heartily.
Yes, they raise EN- true-blue under
the big top-all the family virtues"
Sure" he exclaimed bitterly. Cir
Gus folk-they're just one big happy
'I've heard that before" I said.
He hesitated a moment, In which I
saw the walls Of reticence crumbling
before his desire TO confide in some-
strained
my nerves are shot to pieces Bill"
That may be news TO the Associated
Press, but its 10 minutes old TO me-"
informed him.
He went on as If he hadn't heard me.
Life has been living hell I can't
sleep. can't eat. may be married to
my wife alone In the eyes of the law
and the clergy but by gadl I'm biga- |
mistl I'm married TO Married. and a
million circus performers, too-thin /
men, fat ladies, midgets, alligator girls,
clowns and-and men who are shot out |
of cannonS."
I was beginning to understand.
Spence continued.
They walk in and out Of my home
as III they own IT. They smoke my
cigars. never have a meal without
without u assorted freaks getting first
crack at the roast"
maintained q respectful silence In
acknowledgment OF his sad plight and
condition But already he had got a
grip on himself, and be said quietly:
Listen, Bill The nissus Is expecting
you for soup tonight. Have you any
''NOne 7 wouldn't change" I told
aim.
he was most grateful.
Why don't you quit now for the
lay" he urged. Wen go up to my
place for q snort and maybe do some
york before dinner"
It was then about four in the after
loon, but agreed TO his proposal
nevertheless. The canker gnawing at
lis innards needed doctor1ng, and
vas In doctordsh mood.
Spence's apartment is on s6th Street
Vest. It's spacious place, wherein
cads Of law books and Journals over
I'm the rooms like hardy weeds. Mari
ell was out shopping, and Spence and
were alone IN the living room pre-
airing q span Of tan glasses.
Spence" said abruptly, 'swhy don't
on and MARRIED. 90 away--alone-up
D your place at Huntvilie, perhaps"
He smiled wistfully.
Perhaps" he sighed. ~But then
gain, maybe I can get Maribel to
TOD doing fay0rS and inviting her
lends up here; Maybe shell stop II
erGsif. Maybe
whatever else he was going to say
'as replaced by . bow moan. /, for ell
~ scientific calm, almost jumped 0ut
my pants. we hadn't started 20
RIM and yet there Il w@s--as big as