Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-06-17
BY IDA M. EVANS
copyright 1889 BY News Syndicate Co, Inc
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO

BY IDA NJ. EVANS
Copyright 1888; BY News Syndicate Co. Inc.
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
Alec Gowan had considered the Sit
uatiOn frowning. Then:
ginie?" '
I'm no goatl" Great loyalty had bred
great Indignation "They-dOn't like
It, either. My mother Is terribly I'M
happy Dennis asks only two years
more to Study-he has genius"
At your expense. And at mine"
she had been hurt. His voice had
not been kind.
1T isn't only Denny. Doris-Mother
wants to keep them together"
Naturally" His voice had been
softer.
You see, Alec, I had the breaks. I
had happy childhood. My father was
alive. didn't know what it was to-
TO fear daily the loss of home, roof,
even bed and food" Her voice had
Alec had put his hard strong arms
about her.
my poor darling. Guess I'm dumb.
Wish you'd told me sooner. Oh. be-
wait, dear"
ALEC, I love you So" She had be-
gun to cry. 1T had never mattered
before about my wanting to marry
anyone"
you darling Now I can see why
that man Jacob waited. Until now he
seemed to me to be dumb OK
But it had not been the same after
Even that day, leaving the green
shaded Inn, Vrg1nie, with Jealous eyes,
had seen the pretty blonde cashiers
ready smile at Alec and his flicker of
returned friendliness.
To be sure. Alec smiled at stray cats
and dray horses.
Later at a filling station, a girl In
car opposite, with lovely eyes above
unlovely alcoholic circles, had almost
backed into q red pump looking back
at Alec.
A week later, Alec had had an &C
cldent on road near the greenhouses.
The woman driving the other car was
loud and furious. Important as a gold
eagle. Heavy towled as an over-fed
Doberman. Virginie knew her by sight.
By inheritance, she owned a chain of
dress shops. She had grandsons.
But there had been nothing grand
motherly in the look she gave Alec,
after minute or two. Nothing subtle,
either In the swift change from heavy
fury 70 heavy honey.
ooh, expect 1t was mostly my fault.
What say we split the damages?"
I'm insured. Let the insurance peo-
pie fight it out" Alec had said briefly. |
Later in Virginies ear, he had COM
mented, odd fat fool. Damn right |
she was to blamel"
Virginie had loathed the woman. But !
she had thought dreamily that Il was /
lovely to ride with Alec. He was equal |
to any mess.
She had told them at home that
Alec was willing to wait for years He /
he owed money.
Dennis had been skeptical. Does he.
Virgy? How much?" Doris had said
quickly, If I have just a few more
lessons, Virgy-" Her mother had said,
'Alec's a good boy Virgy. wonder"
Virginie had guessed. Later she had
timidly asked Alec who did not take
to the idea Of living with Virgy's fam
ly. Too far from the nurseries.
So she had said tinidly, "Alec.
would you mind If kept on Working?d
When we're married. And hand
he money over to them2" Voice was
harsh. Get up early mornings to get
% the city grtnd?" Scornful FAN tired
)ut when you get home at night?
Thanks" His face had darkened. "Vir-
,hA4CI " NC II e1Ahs like oil apple. NOb
he core"
Her head had gone high. She had
lot again made would-be helpful
iuggestion. Yet under all the strain
lad been happiness for her and him,
or long while. They had been to-
either most evenings and Sundays
They had ridden, danced, kissed.
But the second April had lacked
he ecstacy Of the first. And in the
bird they had quarreled as two who
owe should never quarrel. Alec had
old the half finished house. Said
hey'd build again.
1t had been a rushed month. The !
depression had made even well-to-do
lower buyers peeviSh. Old Hanny had
ost two of his best salesgirls In a
7eek. Unexpected marriages. Virgtnie
ad worked overtime and she had tired !
Unexpectedly. So that Alec had walked !
through the soggy wet leaves and )
rl1iSed blooms on the floor Of the
ear room to find her sucking a wire
lpped thumb. :
Say, are you hired here to make &
Treaths for dead gangsters?" r
ALEC, pleased Hannys nearly wild r
nd it was a hasty funeral"
Dennis like his job?" L
"Oh, Alecl Yesl But he isn't a full h
Lodged draughtsman yet, Alec. He {
ant get big pay and a chance to .
earn"
Alec had strobe across the room to