Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-03-12
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Observation-Disclosures
but no one answered. Nevertheless she
asked the operator TO keep on ringing
Petersen's number.
Leila was standing at the telephone
when Donald came in and threw his
/ oyercoat down into the red chair. he
/ looked at Leila's white face aila
stopped dead still. Leila put one hailn
/ over the telephone mouthpiece.
aJanes not in" she told him. MIS-.
Simms let her go out with Cheese
and some other youngsters. They went
out to the Red Barn TO dance. Mrs.
Simms thought she had come hVLLle
| and that she hadn't heard her, pul
she's not In the house"
ssThe Red Barn" said Donald, tax
ing this In, ''but that's not fit piac5e,
for them. That's regular Jolnb--At u
kinds of disreputable people go there.
ssTncluding ourselves" snapped lseha'
who felt rising panic Of guilt Within
her. -, ..-e
Of ourselves. It's no place for them.
What did she mean, going out Wneh
w were never here" Leila reminded
him acidly. She put down the teie-
phone. She said suddenly in a high
w II know they've had a wreck. You'll
have to call the policeP -.
emo. keep calm" Donald said. l,eGs
figure a minute. Did you call Peter-
'e T : Just called them No one an
swered."
.sBetter call Lyde's mother"
Bllt tust then the phone Shrlleo
under Ieila's hand. She grabbed 1t up
expecting she knew not what. An n
rftated mans voice spoke in her ear:
saTrhat you, Leila? This Is John.
John was Lyde's father. do you know
where our crazy kids are? Are they at
your house?"
mo they aren't. We were just dis
cussing what to do. I'm afraid they've
had a wreck. Look, John, come over
here, can't you? You and Donald can
decide what to do"
an be right there" said John; HOG
everything. Mabel can stay with the
phone here" ,.s
aI don't want TO call the police. IL u
be In the papers If we do and perhaps
1t isn't necessary. NOW, Lena, oont
get the wind up. They're prooapiy az
right. Probably had a little trouDse
WILL bllC Ct1As LILY ~~e~FN
''' sDonald. you're Just as scared as I
am. They are Just babies, all OF them
They only think they're grown up. On
If ANYTHING has happened to Jane
She tried the Petersen's again, put
no one answered the prolonged ringing
OF the telephone. John arrived Wnle
Leila was still telephoning. he was
deeply agitated, said his wife was WIG
he and Mabel had been playing IN the /
contract tournament at the Athletlc
club. They got home and were hall
way to bed when his wife went IN 70
see if LydeS window was open, ana !
found She was gone. Lyde had had
permission to go to Jeanne Wagner
and go to the show but she should
have been home. -
of YOU drive out to the Red Barn and
see If you find out anything"
we've already called Wagner s,
John told her "Jeanie was in bed and
asleep. She said Lyde went somewhere
with Randolph Petersen and Jane ana
Bob. That's all she knows"
Donald got into his overcoat.
an 20 out to the Red Barn." he
said. ''I5l call you from there. know
the doorman. He can tell me II any
thing has happened He'll know
W0HJlcI bIl6 WNAC eAA~~~s $500
Leila, don't get excited. I'm sure every
IT think III take our car and scout
around In the village" said John. mo
good sitting here. I'll call my nome
and call you If I find out anything
ri 90 to the garage and see II tne
wrecker's been out"
Leila felt as though she might faint
The men went out with hearty and too
loud encouragement to one another.
But Leila had seen the look IN Dona ais,S
ewes. He worshipped Jane. He would
nave given his right arm--his very life
Tor her. Leila knew it. He would not
hesitate a moment If such test came.
But he would not stay at home tor
1er. If they had been home, Leila saw
with dreadful clarity, Jane never Woulo
have gone to the Red Barn In the first
place. In the second place, If she had
1een out anywhere, and this late, Dom
I'D would have started to hunt for her
hree hours ago. Perhaps she had need
ID them-been unable to reach them.
Leila sat down weakly by the tele-
phone. After all, what did she know
sbout Randolph Petersen2 What did
The really know about any OF them?
& was impossible for grown people TO
NOW what adolescents were Ike. But
lane, she was sure, was as SlIlpie anu
transparent as she seemed. Oh, don't
ct anything happen to my Jane. Don't
ct her get killed or hurt, or in any
lind Of jam. Don't let her have any
errifying experience. Bring her home
Iafe and sound. III never go of ana
cave her again. III always be right
lereI
She was bargaining. The most an
dent Of human instincts was alive IN
ella. Deliberately she was laying her
wn claim to youth on the altar If she
night but save James youth for her
lever mind about Donald, about any
hing-take what have and am-take
ne, but spare Jane. She's so young ana
weet, and has all her life and happi-
less before her.
Leila was beyond tears in some deep
ilent place where stark fear stared her
n the face. The hands Of the CLOCK
rent IT Was after tbraa Che ii1nDeQ