Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-06-24

5 The new lines in his face moved he
, unbearably Then these six months
: must have been pretty hard" she said
Z oh. yes, hell" He drew a sharl
breath Resentment had vanished be.
fore her frankneSs. And It WASH
! made any easier by knowing that theJ
were hard ON you. Anne"
Yes. that must have hurt you hor.
! ribly," she assented. Il have wondered
since whether I didn't behave toe
beautifully. If I had let loose anc
shown"
You didn't need to" he interrupted
, We know each other too we'll ]
knew what I was doing to you. And
that you didn't make a scene-I was
on my knees to you I am still" he
added with dim smile
Well 1t IS something to have that, "
Anne said. Spray from across the point
was rafting on the windows, crtIsting
them with salt and they moved their
chairs nearer, to hear more easily.
David, isn't a comfort that we don't
have to talk about money!"
David was going to talk about
money. That IS nonsensel You won't
have enough, Anne. I shall settle
I plenty on you, whether you want it
or not" He went into it In detail but
I could not move her Anne let him
I talk. but only shook her head for an
/ swer
But why, AnneP" he persisted. I'VE
are still friends, aren't we2 Why can't
you let me provide decently for you?
II you would rather have a monthly
check than a settlement"
She showed flare Of anger. ALI
mony! You can't do that to me. If I
am not your wife, you don't owe me
He was deeply hurt. 1T is not kind,
Anne. II have got to think of you
as hard up"
Il shant be hard up" she declared.
1T isn't unfriendly, David-it is Just
that I don't need it. or course, II I
had children" She broke off, re-
membering her operation. They had
planned to send for little David IN
the spring. II can't spend much on
the ranch" she went on hastily.
That startled him. you are going
back?"
"Oh, yes. It is a wonderful life. And
Rose wants me just as much as Ted
does" She told about her brothers |
orange groves and the horses and dogs /
and Roses family on the adjoining 4
ranch, but she was not sure that he 4
listened until she came to Roses broth /
er, Henry. 1t was the long rides with I
Henry that had given her back her
strength.
II suppose they think I am a hound
dog" he said, frowning.
They didn't say so to me-"
What did you tell them?"
Why, the straight truth. That you
wanted to marry someone else"
The wind literally screamed, and
they sat averted until 1t died down
again, the hard truth standing out
naked between them.
You Couldn't expect them TO un-
derstand that-you being you" David
said heavily.
"Oh, everybody understands that
Nowadays" she reminded him. "On the
Whole If 1t didn't wreck me too badly, 4
hey were glad of IT, They all want
ne TO marry Henry" She said that
usually and did not appear to notice
low hard 1t struck. DaVids whole body :
rev rigid.
"And-are you considering ft?" The
Vord creaked with his effort Evidently
had never crossed his mind that 4
Inne's life also would go on.
Wei, I am rather q homogeneous /
ort OF person." she said reasonably. I
But Henry Is a lamb. might come /
Q. 1t, In time. I don't mean 10 die Of {
his, David" a
Mono. I want you to be happy" i
e muttered. But Is this Henry good Q
nough for you? Funny question from t
le, he threw IN, trying to laugh at n
She considered Henry I'VE like the
ame things. He Is very kind. Pleasant =
'oking. fine figure, rides beautiful
:. on, yes. he Is good enough for any
oman who can love him. He"
A burst Of wind struck the house
&c cannonball and a shutter banged
oSe overhead, shocking them back
what was happening. They ran up
airs to Davtd's room and fastened
curtains streaming over them.
Some storml" David commented. AS
e curtains subsidized his eyes rested
the tranquil familiarity about him
tn a look Of surprise, as though It
ere strange that q room could be
same when so much had happened
Its owner.
You wouldn't like to have this
use?" he suggested. Anne only
Ned. "Of course you wouldn't" he
oAogtzed. Il must seem to you the
Imsiest brute on earth. was only
shtng-I can't realize that I shall
YER see you at all"
Again anger fIared I'D. Had he
ought that ne could have two wives?
ais Is goodbye" she said lightly. Il
going back west tomorrow. Now,
It Is all settled"
Another shutter burst loose, this
re IN Anne's room, and they found
catch broken. 1t took all their
ength to hold and tie IL shut. From
sc windows they could see the wild
aos IN the channel Not a boat was
II that man had any sense, he
aid come back while he could"
vsd exclaimed He had been care
not 70 look at Anne's room
On. this cant last" she assured
4 as they went back 10 their fire.
etc and Della, beaming welcome,
brought 10 the tea things and
n logs and turned on the lights.