Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-12-06
CHAPTER I-Continued

OppOSlte Sue VI tlle leuQ! wills
asked, whimsically.
well, l don't dignity any argu-
ment get into with the title of feud,"
said Virgie. Though the Govern
ment is MISUNDERSTANDING its bill
into every little mess that the rain
would cover up charitably in a cou-
pie Of days! But I'm like this-if
I've got a spoonful of meal, I'll
share it. You get some rest tonight
It's wonder you aren't half dead.
You must be as tough as a bal
sam knot. Tomorrow I'll put chains
on a car and send you wherever you
want to 60"
You're very generous" He stood
up, wavering a little and grinning
sadly at his weakness. She saw his
well-knit, lean young body, the I'M
conscious grace of youth, with silken
muscles and leaping blood-youth
that knows exactly where it is 60
ing and has not learned yet the
grudging welcome of the world. II
was fortunate" he went on, Sin hav-
ing tumbled on your doorstep"
"You can pay me back some time.
I'm merely circulating some propa-
ganda to the effect that there are
one or two decent pulp people in
the world. You can carry that word
back to Washington.
I'm do it gladly. I'll add some
personal Endorsements. In fact,
think I'll launch a campaign"
He stopped. A tinny horn blared.
The dogs set up an excited yelping
outside and a car door smacked
shut. Then the front door crashed
open, letting in blast of wind,
swish of icy rain, and a girl in a
green rubber coat and beret.
A slim, small girl, with reddish
chestnut hair tumbled damply on
her collar, with a small, tanned face
and very big brown eyes.
oh she stopped, surprised,
seeing him.
Shut the door," directed Virgie
calmly. This is my daughter, Mari
an Morgan. This is Mr.. Branford
Wills-from Washington. He's stay
ing with US tonight. He's been lost"
"Oh-I-" Wills was confused. A
slow, unhappy red crept over his
haggard face.
We've met BEFORE announced
Marian, coolly.
Good gracious" her mother ex-
claimed.
''He"-Marian's pansy-warm eyes
had turned fiat and unfriendly, her
small red mouth hardened-"he
doesn't like pulp people!"
$50 I've heard" said Virgie, un-
perturbed, thinking how like her ia
Their Marian was. Shrewd and small
and implacable, like David Morgan,
hanging in his gold frame above the
mantel fire. But we've declared a
truce on that. It's too darned cold
tonight to keep up any kind of
fight"
But Marian was scarcely listen
ing. She was looking at Branford
Wills with hostile eyes.
$50 you got lost?"
$50 it appears. Your mother was
charitable enough to take me in and
feed me-"
Nothing much happens to moth
er. He thinks turned to
her mother, her voice cracking a
little-"that all pulp people should
be burned at the Stake-slowly-he
told me SO. At the dance the other
night
That's unfair" declared young
Mr.. Wills. 81 didn't know you. I
was spouting to hear my own voice.
I apologize"
Don't bother. 1t doesn't matter
to me in the least" Marian pulled
off the damp beret, shook rain from
it. 1.-The road is dreadful, Mother
you'll need chains in the morning.
I'll go up, think Did Lossie make
a fire in my room?"
Andrew did"
Please" interposed young Mr..
Wills, anxiously, don't 60 away
without letting me explain-Pn eat
any amount of crow-Pn even pick
the bones if you wish"
Marian's head went up. She
pushed back her damp, fruit-tinted
hair with palm, regarded him
aloofiy.
81 see no reason to discuss it,
thank you. This is mothers house.
She is free to entertain whomever
she likes in it. Good night"
She walked past them, her head
held RICHLY. Virgie Morgan's mouth
drew in at one corner.
Don't worry about her, son." she
Advised. Shell be all over it in
the morning. She's a loyal little
trick-and all the Morgans are fight
ers. What did you say to her at
that dancer"
He shook his head ruefully. II
can't even remember!" he admitted.
The mill of the Morgan Pulp Com
pany had never been an imposing
structure.
David Morgan had built it early in