Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 December 1936 — Page 52
BEGIN HERE TODAY Bob Graham, tire salesman, driving over a desert road in New Mexico during & snowstorm, Is halted hy an accident to his ear. Two strangers, Ramon Vasquer and Angelique Abeyta, invite him to go with them. Ramon and Angelique are on their way to the de Forest hacienda, “Thunder Mesa,” for a Christmas party. They reach the hacienda and are weleomed by Pearl John de Forest, est of three brothers, Pearl Sam is the oldest and Pearl Plerre next. Bob wonders about these curious names, Other members of the household are Tante Josephine, old and an Invalid; Betty Welch, her companion, and Professor Bhaw, archeologist. Bob something strange about the place. Alone in his room, he Is startled to hear a noise at the window. He opens it and finds Betty Welch outside. She savs take me away with you? I'm afraid!” NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
yoaung-
senses
“Can you
CHAPTER THREE HRISTMAS dawned, dark lowering. The family did meet for breakfast, since t sent to each room. Bob tr talk to the stolid Mexican brought his, but the man either could not or would not answer his questions, However, the meal was well served and hot, and when the servant went away with shuffling steps, Bob felt timis Perhaps his misgivings of the night before were all unfounded Living up here, all alone on the mesa, was enough to make any family seem a bit strange Certainly nothing had been left undone to make Bob himself comfortable. He liked his young host, Pearl John. “Put him any place where he had half a chance,” Bob thought and he'd prove a pretty good egg Bob arose and dressed, deciding to have a look around the place, even if the others of the houschold were not yet Stirring Perhaps Betty Welch would be up and he could talk to her Bob whistled softly as he brushed his hair, There was a girl he'd like to know better! None of the fur and claws about her that there was about Angelique.
and not were ied to who
his soft, more op-
tic
n " n “HE snow had stopped falling 1 when he went outside, but the clouds hung so low they gave the effect of a dark curtain. Bob shivered, though he did not feel especially cold. “Rummy place,” he muttered as he looked off at the bare snowcovered mesa. Only a few huge rocks broke the flat expanse. Why in the world should any one want to build a house up here, he wondered. The house was adobe, very large, and seemed to hunch menacingly against the gloomy sky. It was Spanish-type, built around several courtvards, all of which were inclosed in high adobe walls, with innumerable verandas connecting the rooms. Servants’ quarters and kitchens seemed to take up the back portion He could hear the soft voices of the Mexican servants as they padded in and out of the yard that seemed to be their particular inclosure. Curls of smoke rose from the chimneys in that part. Evidently fires had not vet been started an the front rooms. Guests at Thunder Mesa probably were not xpected to get up very early. Bob fecided to go inside and look wound. Mavbe Betty— n 5 on
VEEN in the cold daylight, the oD living quarters of the hacienda lacked what warmth and cheer the firelight and candles had given them. Huge hand-hewn wooden rafters spanned the ceilings, and gray walls were ornamented bronze sconces holding canles. In little niches here and there were some really fine examples of ancient Santos—the hidepus, emaciated little religious figures which the early friars put in their Tanned skins and excelIndian blankets covered the Joors. Bob examined the furniture tlosely, remembering how uncomfortable it had seemed the night before, and found that it, too, was hand-made from peeled poles. The and backs of the chairs and couches were tanned rawhide, fastened in place by narrow thongs. But footsteps were coming down the hall Bob turned, as Betty's bright face appeared around the doorway “Oh vou!” she exclaimed with a little laugh. “Merry Christmas! I was just wondering if any one would be up so I could say it." “TI was hoping to see vou,” he told her. “Can vou spare me a few minutes now? This may be Christmas, but those evergreens look about as cheerful in here as they would on a tomb, Come on in and talk to me.” on 5 ou
} ¥ led her to a window seat and pushed a cushion, made of an
Indian saddle blanket, behind her. “Now this is better.” He looked at her admiringly. “I've been wondering about what vou said last night. Not much chance to talk with the wind whistling down your neck and your feet freezing. If you could be a little more explicit maybe 1 can get a better lineup on the situation. You see, all this has happened so unexpectedly; my mind was doing a flip-flop last night and maybe I didn't get it over to you that I'm really anxious to help vou if I can.” “I'm sure you are,” she answered, “I've been wondering about vou, too. You said last night you aren't here fs A guest.” “Just an honest tire salesman, trying to get along,” he explained, pnd went on to tell her about Ramon Vasquez picking him up on the canyon road Betty smiled, then sobered as she moved nearer and lowered her voice. “As I told vou last night, I got this job through an agency in Santa Fe. I was a stranger there and had to get something to do. You see, 1 brought a friend out for her health, and we had only been there a few days when she died.” A shadow passed over the girl's face. “I didn't have much money Jeft. That's why I was glad to come here. But now—well, IT must get away, though they're ali awfully nice to me, and Tante Josephine seems to like me.” “Pearl John didn't seem actly dislike you, either,” minded her. “He's very nice,” she went on hurriedly, “but the others—and thi place—give me the creeps.”
She brushed back the bright
the Nith
shurches
lent
seats
to exhe re-
. - a 2 “% < not a
“That's why 1
»”
laughed nervously. asked vou to take me away. “And, remember, I promised I would.” Bob patted her hand reassuringly. n un » i S I said last night,” Betty went on, “I'm almost sure my mail is intercepted. I haven't had a letter since I came. And every time I suggest else to take my place, there is some excuse made why I should stay. I've been here on the mesa a whole month now without seeing any one the outside until Pearl John to have this Christmas
from decided party.” “He doesn’t seem much like the other brothers,” Bob remarked. “He's not, and he only stays because they keep him here. I'm <ure he'd like to get away, too. But Pearl Sam seems to have some tranze hold over him. 1 can't understand it.” “He's the oldest, isn't he?” asked Bob. “The one who wears that odd signet ring on the little finger of his right hand? It cut my finger when I shook hands with him last night.” He rubbed the sore spot as he spoke, She nodded. “He's the head of the household, and, except with old Tante Josephine, the only one who dares to defy him, he is a regular despot, though he goes at it quietly. He seems to take full charge of all the expenses of the house. Apparently the other brothers are dependent on him for their allowances, though what they need money for up here, 1 wouldn't know! You can see they have plenty |
that they get some one
and live very well. Pearl John hasn't spared expense on the party he's going to give tonight either, but generally Pear]! Sam pays for everything and tells everybody on the place what to do.” #® = ”
TS professor, too?” Bob asked “Is he here all the time?” “No. He's only been here since I came. He goes poking about over the mesa, making measurements of things, 1 think he’s writing a book
on some scientific subject. He and
a good deal.” “Well, there are probably a lot of nuts in this world, only you don’t usually see ‘em bunched up, as they are here. vour coat and let's go outside. A brisk walk in the snow will blow the vapors out of our brains.
| Pearl Sam discuss things together |
Come on. Geof |
I'd |
like to take a look at that road we
came up last night.” The walk toward edge did
the
mesa’s | set their blood tingling, |
and brought a becoming flush to | Betty's cheeks that was not lost on
her companion. “If worst comes to worst,
you |
know,” he told her, “we would hoof | it down this trail I suppose and—" | “Back. Go back!” ordered a gruff
voice.
They turned, startled, to face |
the Indian who had met Ramon’s |
car the night before.
Now he |
stepped directly before them. “Not |
allow any one this way.” as though he meant it. “But why?” began Bob. “Danger! Go back.” The man pointed sternly toward the house.
(To Be Continued) .
By John
hall struck 10 and, from habit, | Dave Bryant got up to leave. Clara’s privilege of entertaining | guests in the parlor of the boarding house terminated at 10 o'clock. | “Well—until tomorrow, then,” Dave said. Clara rose and kissed him good | night, then looked again unbeliev- | ingly at the diamond he had placed on her finger earlier that evening. | “Oh, Dave,” she said tremulously. “Tt’'s—it's going to be wonderful, | isnt it?” | Dave gulped, and they looked at | each other for one long, magic | minute. A sound beyond the closed door | broke the spell. Clara jerked her | head around sharply, took three! quick steps to the 8oor, and threw | it open The landlady, Mrs. Nuggins, was | straightening a rug in the hall. | Clara looked at her suspiciously. | Then, the newly engaged pair went | out to the porch to say good night | again. Mrs. Nuggins was still in the hall | when Clara came back in. She was a prim little old lady, with sharp | eyes that never missed a trick. “Well, well,” she said, smiling, | “and when is the wedding going to be?” | “Oh!” Clara drew a quick breath. | “So you were listening at the key- | hole, weren‘t you! You've been do- | ing it all along, haven't you? | Snooping around-—spying on me— sticking your nose into my affairs! | Well, I've had about all I want of it | —do you hear?”
n ”n un | RS. NUGGINS was undis- | turbed. She pointed to the | diamond on Clara's left hand. “I saw your ring. And doesn't a ring on that finger usually mean a wedding?”
I'm sorry.” “Think nothing of it, my dear,” Mrs. Nuggins said graciously. She smiled. ‘Dave's a fine young man.” “Yes, he is,” Clara agreed. “Of course, though, you have to remember he's a Bryant.” Clara bridled. “And what you got against the Bryants?”
have
” un n “¥'VE nothing against them,
but I've been neighbors with
BUSYBODY
Daily Short Story HE grandfather's clock in the | I'll keep my job, and if you don't |
| tion agent.
dear,| “Don't do it unless you want to.” |
Creecy
like it, you know what you can do about it!” Dave rose. “Very well,” he said stiffiy. “If that's the way you feel about it, I might as well take the job on the boat after all. There's
He said it
EUR A NNR
still time if I get the train tomor-
row evening.” “Here's your ring!” wrenching it off. x un »n
AVE strode proudly out. He nearly collided with Mrs. Nuggins, who, as usual, was lurking in the hall. Clara came to the parlor doorway, looking furiously after him as he slammed out through the front door. “You're a little fool,” Mrs. Nuggifis said. “Oh!” Clara flared. “You were listening again, weren't you.” “Humph! Don't have to listen to see what's happened when a boy stomps out with his nose in the air, and a girl's no longer wearing his ring. I told you that no woman can outstubborn a Bryant man.” Clara ground her teeth. “You— do you know what you are?” she panted. “You're a sneaking old busybody—that's what you are! And as for Dave Bryant, I wouldn't have him if you paid me a million dollars!” “You're a little fool,” Mrs. Nuggins repeated. “Also a little liar.” “I'm moving out of here!” Clara shouted. She ran up to her room, banged the door shut, then gave way to a torrent of tears. Downstairs, Mrs. Nuggins sighed. 5 ” n D*= had just started to get his
luggage on the train when the boy came with the note. He gave it
| one glance. Clara looked sheepish. “Oh , .. I—|
“Hey, Pop!” he called to the sta“Get my junk back off, will you? I'm not going!” Then he started off on the run. . .
Clara, summoned downstairs by | Mrs. Nuggins, found Dave waiting |
in the parlor. | She closed the door. “Oh, Dave,” she said. | little fool.” | “I was a big one,” Dave said. “I'm going to quit my job.”
“IT was a
| They kissed, then kissed six more
Clara said, |
i |
them all my life, and T know them. | times just to make a good job of it. |
The Bryant menfolks can be stubborn as mules when they choose.
They take mighty careful handling.” | OU were mighty sweet,” said
Clara pressed her lips into a dangerously thin line. “Are you trying to tell me that Dave is stubborn?” “I've known the womenfolk that have married Bryant men,” Mrs Nuggins said soothingly. “I've known what they had to put up with, how they had to act to make their marriages successful. If you are tactful, dear, you
must never try to force your will on his. The Bryant men are fine, up-
standing men, but they want to be |
the boss.”
“Thank you,” Clara said icily. bossed by anybody. If Dave Bryant
is stubborn, he'll find me just as
equality for women,” she said, “and also in minding my own business!” \ THEN Mr. Jones, proprietor of '¥ the electric shop where Dave worked, learned that Dave had decided to stay in town and get married instead of going to New Orleans to become a radio operator on one of his uncle's freighters, he was delighted and presented Dave with a raise in salary. Dave told Clara about it that evening. “Oh, isn't that lovely!” Clara said. “Why, we'll be able to have everything we want, won't we—with your salary and mine?” Dave smiled good-naturedly. “I think we'd better try to get along on mine, Clara.” She looked at him sharply. “You —you mean you want me to Quit my job?” “I'd rather you would. After all, I'm making enough for us to live on comfortably.” “But I don't want to quit my job. {I like my job.” That started it. One word led to another until they found themselves having a terrific quarrel. “1 didn't know any one could be so stubborn!” Clara raged. “Well, let me tell you something, Dave
= = 5
Bryant—I'm not going to be bossed | A—The winged horse of Greek I and around}, iI T want to keep my Job, | @ythoiogy. en
| y Bu ©
|
Dave, “to forgive me and send |
| me that note.” Clara jerked her head up. “Note! | What note?”
She, took it from his hand wt
| looked at it. | consisted of just | PLEASE DON'T GO. | signed.
three words:
Clara's cheeks grew red and her and Dave €Ves shone. She looked toward the ought to be mighty happy—but vou door, beyond which she fancied she
had heard a slight sound. | “Kiss me,” Dave said.
hand.
“Wait a minute,” she said softly. “But I have no intention of being ‘Right now, I—I want to kiss Mrs.
Nuggins!”
It was no trouble at all, for Mrs. stubborn!” She began to ascend the Nuggins happened to be right cutstairs to her room. “I believe in side the door, dusting the hatrack.
THE END.
1936, by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.)
(Copyright,
The characters in this story are fictitious.
Ask The Times
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om—— |
| Q—Name the director of Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton, Cal.
| A—Dr. William Hammond Wright. | Q—What is William Lemke's religious affiliation? | A—German Lutheran.
| Q—When was the first public high school in New York City estab-
| lished?
| A—1825.
| Q—Are rubber sole shoes bad for the eyes?
. A—No. | Q—Who was Pegasus?
It was un-
Clara crumpled the note in her
It was typewritten and |
| |
FLAPPER FANNY
or gly . + i
YOU WANT TO LEASE AN ACRE OF MINE DOWN THE CREEK BY THAT BIG ROCK
YESSIR - FER A CAMPIN' PLACE, UH. ER A CLUB KIND OF A
THAT GOLDY IS PUTTIN SUMPIN OVER ON US -1D BET ON 11’ HOW OO WE KNOW THESE AINT GILDED
SH-H-H-H 2) WE GOT TO TAKE A CHANCE = WE DASSENT LEAVE ANYBODY IN ON THIS, THAT
Just in case of, huh, Fanny?”
“Well, plenty of Christmas misletoe turns into June orange blossoms.”
1] =P
—By Al Capp
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AND MADE You DANCE wrt Me! DOES “THAT ANSWER YOUR
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TRY IT TN YOU'LL
MEANDER TH
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NG D 1958 Wy United Feature Syndicate, Tne. Tm. Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Al rights restrv
HA-HA-THASS WHAR A SENN LME NY’ YARS OLE. ORS
NINE TEE EASON RIST A CLEAN
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FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 1036" By Sylvia
bh THEN IM GOING TO HELP You!
HELL GVE ME HECK! HE JUST HAD IT POLISHED TODAY! ILL HAVE
50, HERE YOU ARE, YOU MISERABLE FAKE ~WHY DO YOU MN OFFICE
TAKE, WHEN EVERYONE KNOWS, AN' YOU DO, TOO, THAT 1 ALONE AM WIZER OF MOO?
YOU- A GRAND, WIZER? KR! YOU'RE
AW,
LISSEN, GUZ ~I'VE WARNEC OF TH' TERRIBLE WAR TO COME SOON, AN!
ONLY WITH TH' AID OF MY COUNSEL CAN YOU
>»
CROWN
(GIVE EAR TO TH' PRATTLING OF THIS LONG-NOSED FOOL AN' YOU'LL LOSE ALL=VYOUR YOUR. THRONE, YOUR, (LIFE —1 HAVE SPOKEN
“No, we don’t take trade-ins!”
- ra 5S Mp
| * R Balance Your Diet and > Your Budget. Use More
NOW HE'S SPOKE HIS PIECE, TH SLIPPERY | MEBBE THERE NIT, SO LET'S OFF WITH
HM TO TH' AIT!
N ? X WN CR
ANY © 1936" BY NEA SERVICE, INC.
4 RT} 4 - iy,
M, REG.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
HORIZONTAL 1, 4, 10 Little —= =, pictured here.
14 Entrance. 16 Giver. 17 Norse mye thology. 18 Duration. 19 Long rope. 20 Refined woman. 21 To seesaw. 23 Is puffed up. 26 Railroad. 28 Thinks. 56 Had on. 32 Amphitheater §7 Ulcer. center. 58 Impetuous. 36 Burdened, 59 Opposite to 37 Intolerant odd, enthusiast, 60 She wore a 38 Naval forces. 40 Plumes. 41 Preposition, 42 Terminations, 47 Naintaine. 53 Part of Roman month. VERTICAL 54 To depart. 1 Rodent.
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61 She crossed a —— to visit her grande mother,
red =— (pl.).
Answer to Previous Puzzle
1] |
{
2 To prepare for publication, 3 Ten cents, 5 Wasters of time, 8 Portal. 7 Wayside hotel. 8 Wooden pegs. 9 Thrived. 10 Hades. 11 Land right. 12 Unequal things. 13 24 hours,
I KNOW HOW FATHERS ARE ABOUT THEIR CARS...IT'S AN OLD SPIC=-AND-SPANISH
NO, WAIT-
1S SUMPIN
15 Golf device, 22 Masses for dead. 24 Makes able 25 A wicked wee ate her grand. mother,
27 Butter lumps 29 Chum. 30 Fish, 31 Born, 33 Stream. 34 Sell. 35 Negative, 39 Pillars of stone. 42 Exchequer. 43 Heathen god 44 Roman emperor,
45 Toward sea 46 Ocean, 47 Hail! 48 Slave. 49 Pitcher, 50 To wanden, 51 Three. 52 Delivered.
55 Era. ]
|
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