Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-01-03

Bry Hutton had only two types OF
conversation where women were
concerned. An ironic, half-bitter
drawl and an insinuating. caressing
intimacy, that verged family on in
suit. He began in this second man.
ner but Marian cut it short crisply.
Il didn't call up to be petted, Bry.
This is business. I want to 60 to
Sally Gallup's. That mountain road
is muddy and mother will fuss il I
drive it myself. you'll have to
take me-"
"Oh, look here, sweetness, it's
raining and cold as hell. Can't you
call Sally on the phone? Can't you
wait till tomorrow? 1t might freeze
over by that time"
II want to 60 today. II you don't
want to take me. Bry. I'll call
somebody else"
well, don't do that. II you alb
solutely have to 60, III take you.
But it's nutty idea, if you ask me.
There's no sense to it."
Nobody asked you-and perhaps
there isn't any sense to it. Bry, will
you take me to Asheville instead?"
"Sure - stick around. III be
there"
mo, I won't stick around. I'm
going into town, now" She spoke
hurriedly. A car was stopping out
side. In q moment Branford Wills
would be going down those stairs.
'Pn meet you at the drugstore,
Bry," she said as she hung up.
Rain beat through the open win
dow of her little car as she tore
down the mountain. The wheels
lurched and skidded on muddy
curves but she was reckless and
needless. She had to get away. An
ger rode her like an imp Of white
flame-anger that hurt. The stiff
fiber in her that she had from her
father, that odd fierce honesty that
could be both intolerant and tender.
was tortured by the thought Of weak
ness, of surrender. How could she
have been SO weak-so easy? She
braced herself SO hard on the steer
ing-wheel that her knuckles ached.
She did not like Bry Hutton par
ticularly. She did not care particu-
larly for any man she had met, as
yet. They were all too obvious, too
aware of the fact that Virgie Nor
gan was supposed to be a rich wom-
an. They were too glib or too diff
dent, they got their conversation and
their manners from pulp magazines.
or moving pictures, they were coun-
try! College men did not stay in
little towns. They went ranging,
seeking wider opportunities, and
those who came in from outside,
like Stanley Daniels, came with an
air of condescending superiority.
She went around with Bry, as Los
sic had so shrewdly surmised, to
get her own way and because Bry
was stimulating. Being with him
was a constant battle and dominat-
ing him was an achievement for any
woman. Marian rather liked the
struggle to keep Bry aloof, to main
tain her delicate, arrogant remote
ness. And she had to get away
to stop thinking about Branford
Wills lean, sardonic face.
At the drugstore she parked her
car and went inside. The one clerk
swabbed off the top of the counter
and said, What for you. Marian?"
"I'm just waiting" She shook the
rain from her coat. HAS mother
been in?"
mot this morning. She's been try
ing to find Perry Bennett. Lucy and
Mildred were calling all over town.
I guess they found him. called
while ago and told Lucy I saw him
going into Plute's shoeshcp. I
asked her If she wanted me to yell
at him but she said never mind"
Marian stood near the door,
watching. She was sorry she had
told Bry to come here. Every one
in town would know in no time that
she had gone of somewhere with
him. But that might be just as
well. II every one knew it, Ada
Clark would know it, and the sharp
nosed girl who was head nurse, su-
perintendent, and manager Of the
absurd little hospital would know it.
Ultimately, by the sheer saturating
effect of knowledge in small places,
Branford Wills would also know it.
She waited until Bry was actually
in the store, and then said with elab-
crate casualness, IF you're going
over to the courthouse, Bry, do you
mind II I ride along with you?
have to see a dentist and mother
worries when I drive on wet roads,"
Bry stared stupidity. began. 81
thought you"
81 did," Marian cut in, with some
scorn, II meant to 60 alone but il
you're going anyway I could save
my gasoline, couldn't II"
Sure, come along" Bry comprs-
Blended finally and instantly appre-