Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-06-28

dining room with firm and seIf-con-
scious dignity; her skirt was a little
too long, her face all at once too
rudy. Vance followed, glancing neither
to the right nor left. It was like q
prince offering "noblesse oblige" 70 q
peasant. For q moment the dining
room was absolutely silent.
Gracefully Laurie drew on her
gloves. "Shall we go2"
YES" said Henry. There's no rea-
son, now. for staying any longer" She
glanced at him quickly but his face
was inscrutable. When they were out
in the street-out in the exaggerated,
unreal sunlight-he asked: IF you're
walking home may go along?"
Offhand she could think Of nothing
to say but yes. And after all he had
taken her to luncheon-to the res
taurant she had named. But she had
hoped to be all by herself until late
evening. She had meant to lie on the
chaise lounge after q fragrant bath
and TO think hard about what she
would say to Vance this evening. For
she had determined to ask how much
longer he was going to remain kind
and loyal to poor Georgia.
Laurie was not hard. She pitted the
dull, inept, matronly woman with the
generous pity which youthful beauty
can well afford to squander. And yet
she meant to strike quick and clean
tonight. The love she and Vance had
together was more important than
pity, more valuable than kindness. To
postpone sharing their future would
be like denying the glory Of spring or
starlight.
Did she feel this sudden courage be-
cause Of the bright April day2 Partly:
but more because Georgia had awk-
wardly dropped her glove +. because
Vance had been so painfully, rigor-
ously gallant. Although his writing
cracked with healthy cynicisms he
was, himself, an addict to the drug
of horror. In one of his plays cavalier
remarks, 81 threw my cloak down for
a woman to tread upon; but that was
not enough. I allowed her to take it
home and use 1t as doormat."
Dtmly she heard Henrys voice, isn't
itP"
1Snt IL WnAIf
Amusing" He had paused by one
of the most vivacious windows ON
Fifth avenue, fantastic with cellophane
birds nesting in trees carved out of
pink rubber sponge. Daisies and but
tercupS of cocklesheIls bloomed around
a lady created from blonde hemp. "See
the big spider" he said. tits legs are
made from old-fashioned screen door
springs"
Laurie shook her head impatiently.
Screen door springsl Don't you see
the frock2 The name Of tt2"
He adjusted his thick-lensed glasses
and read the words on a porringeg
which the hemp lady was languidly |
holding. ""Torn Cobweb,'" said Henry. |
Il shall have It'll" cried Laurie, clap |
ping her hands, childishly excited
He frowned. "It viii be awfully ex-
pensive"
81 don't care! Ricky and 1 are the
Of a trust fund. You must |
remember that, since it's your own
bank which mothers and fathers US"
@But Ricky works sometimes"
"Oh, Rickyl Her work is always mis-
chief which the devil finds for idle
hands to do"
IT will bet" said Henry, that you
are quoting Vance Devlin-"
She felt her face grow very warm.
Henry was being difficult today, not
TO say unpleasant.
Then you should praise my good
she said sharply. Don't be
stuffy. I am going to have the frock.
Are you coming in?"
Now surely he would go away. But
1e followed her amiably into the store.
:. The gown was of silken beige net,
,rosted with silvery cobwebs. The
French saleswoman exclaimed with
genuine admiration, ut Is made for
,ou alone! You are stunning in It'll
That is so much better than if 1t were
on you. You understand what
mean )" She sighed. Have you
zen the play?"