El democrata del condado de Costilla. [volume], December 28, 1934, Image 2

About El democrata del condado de Costilla. [volume] (San Luis, Colo.) 1923-1939

Image provided by: History Colorado

                
HILLTOPS CLEAR
Copyright by The Penn Publishing Co.
CHAPTER V
— 7—
Jean Gerard regarded the desk In
the gun room at High Ledges with'
pursed lips and angry eyes.
“Gee, but you make me mad!"
She addressed the piece of furni
ture as if it were maliciously respon
sible for her frustration. She wrig
gled a hairpin in the lock of the top
drawer. Then with teeth set, she
grasped the handles, Jerked with all
her strength. The drawer came out
with a suddenness which sent her
sprawling and scattered three letters
from the desk onto the floor.
Ruefully she rubbed the back of her
head. She knelt beside the drawer
and eagerly examined Its contents.
There were several photographs of a
pretty girl. One showed her in bouf
fant tulle on the back of a horse.
Jean's eyes dilated.
“Circus rider I" she crooned. "Goody,
111 see one like her tomorrow." She
turned the photograph over. On the
back was scrawled:
“Miraculous escape. From calico
and Calloway to liberty and lo
Fondly, Milly."
"She’s a cutey all right. I —" Jean
gulped as a shadow fell across the
photograph.
"Where’s your uncle?"
The photograph fell from her hand
and lay with piquant, smiling face up
ward as Jean stared at the scowling
man who loomed over her.
"I —I —don’t know. Shall I try to
find him, Mr. Calloway?"
Len Calloway removed his glance
from the pictures and letters on the
floor long enough to glare at her.
"Tell him I want to talk with him.
Scram I”
Frightened at the grayness of his
face, Jean fled. She scurried through
the different rooms. Called. No an
swer. She had better go back and tell
Mr. Calloway.
As she entered the gun room, one of
the long French windows banged.
"He’s gone. I guess that’s that”
She dropped to her knees beside the
drawer. Better put It bnck before
anyone saw It She scrambled up the
contents. Where was the picture of
the cutey circus rider? Gone. Had
Mr. Calloway taken it? Why should(
he want it? Would her uncle be mad
with her for having touched the desk?
"I’d better get a move on.”
She hurriedly replaced the drawer,
picked up the letters. Only two!
There had been three when they fell.
Had Mr. Calloway snitched one? What
would he do with it? "Gee, have I
started something?" she thought
In the library after dinner, Rodney
Gerard glanced at Jean speculatively
as she bent demurely over a book. Her
absorption was out qf character. She
was too quiet. She had been prying
with rather frightening results; he
recognized the symptoms.
He glanced about the room as he
refilled his pipe. Good room. Big,
yet not too full of things, mellow,
dignified. Not too bad a place in
which to spend part of a winter. He
glanced at his sister-in-law knitting
rapidly In the light of one of the softly
shaded lamps. Not so restful. He was
In for battle. He’d better go to It
Mrs. Walter Gerard looked up. She
laid down her knitting.
*T have planned to close the house
"El-e-phants Are Coming! Hold
Your Horses!”
on Thursday, If that suits you, Rod
ney. The days are getting so short”
“You needn’t bother to do that,
Annie. I shall remain here for part
of the winter. I have decided to thin
about a thousand acres of woodlund
and It will require my personal over
sight You and Jean toddle along to
New York as you planned.”
"The Idea! Of course I shan't de
sert you, Rodney. I can stuy, at lenst
until after Christmas; then my cousin,
the ambassador, has asked me to visit
him.”
Gerard buckled on his armor of de
termination. He hated to hurt her, but
fee couldn't, he wouldn't have her un-
... By EMIUE LORING ...
der his feet, and that’s where she
would be.
"I appreciate your kindness, Annie,
but Jim Armstrong, one of my room
mates at college, who is a forelter, will
arrive soon to look over the timber and
advise me as to what should come out.
I hate like the dickens to say it, you
have been so kind to keep house for
me this summer, but I would prefer
not to have you here."
Jean flung herself at Gerard.
"Hey there, Kurious Kid, go slow.
Want to push me into the fire?" The
girl’s grip tightened.
"Uncle Rod, please let me stay with
you, please! I'm not going to school
this winter anyway. I hate New York,
and Mother and Father are always
fighting, and I love to be with you,
and I’ll be a perfect lady, honest I will.
Please let me stay. I’m —I’m always
sort of peaceful with you."
Gerard’s eyes were tender ns he
looked down at the pleading face.
Peaceful. Poor, lonely kid. She did
have a tough time. Not much fun liv
ing with her parents. Walter rarely
came to High Ledges now. Was it too
dull for him, or were there other rea
sons? Should he let Jean stay? He
was fond of the funny little thing. Prue
Schuyler was taking an Interest in
her; she was making her happier, more
human than the Impish child she had
been.
"What say, Annie? Will you let
Jean stay with me until after Christ
mas? No,” he anticipated, as his sls
ter-in-law started to speak, "it will
upset my plana to have you here; be
sides, you should be in New York with
Walter.”
“Walter doesn’t want me, either.”
For the first time since he had
known her, Rodney heard Annie Gerard
acknowledge defeat. Mighty hard on
her. Walter was a bad egg, of course,
but she had a cruel tongue and was so
affected. That didn’t excuse Walt; a
THE STORY FROM THE BEGINNIING
Prudence Schuyler comes from New York to Prosperity Farm, inherited from
her uncle, to make a new life for herself and her brother, David, whose health
has been broken by tragedy. The second day on her farm Prue falls from the
barn loft into the arms of Rodney Gerard, rich young man, who lives at High
Ledges on the neighboring farm. There Is at once a mutual attraction between
the two, but Prudence decides to maintain a cool attitude toward him. She sus
pects men since her sister’s husband ran away with her brother’s wife. Len Cal
loway, a rival of Gerard, tries tfr’btfry the Prue’s land, but eh* dis
likes his conceited attitude and contracts with Rod to dispose of the trees.
On the evening Prue Is expecting David from New York she is visited by Mrs.
Walter Gerard and her thlrteen-year-old daughter, Jean. They are hateful,
curious persons and leave Prue rankled. A few days later Prudence comes In
contact with them again when she accompanies Rod to his place. A clown comes,
advertising a circus In a nearby town. Prue promises to accompany Rod and
Jean to the circus.
man should be true to his wife no mat
ter how she developed—but—the gods
be praised, the problem of being true
to Annie wasn’t his.
“Look here, K. K., If I let you stay,
will you solemnly promise not to pry
Into my affairs or—or the affairs of
the—the neighbors?”
Joy glowed beneath the tears. "I
promise I’ll be the finest girl ever. Un
cle Rod.”
“I’ll give you a try. May she stay,
Annie?”
“If you want her, Rodney. The doc
tor said she should live out of doors
this winter, so perhaps she’ll be better
off here In the country.”
“Then hustle to New York, send
down warm clothes for her and the bill
to me. Tnke the servnnts with you.
I’ll pay them for lost time. Jean nnd I
will be off early, perhaps before you
start.”
“Off 1 Where?”
“There’s a circus In the next town
and we—we are going In a party.”
“A party! 1 see. I think I know
who the party will be. I wasn’t born
yesterday, Rodney."
How he detested her wink, Rodney
thought, as he watched her lenve the
room. Jean slipped her nrra through
her uncle’s.
“She’s mad!" she observed In a
strident whisper.
“Cut that out, K. K. Never criticise
your mother. You make good or you’ll
be packed off to New York on the first
train. Get me?”
“I will, Uncle Rod. Cross-my-thi ont
an’-hope-to-dle. What time will we
start for the circus? I’ll be ready. I
won’t go to sleep for a minute to
night.”
“I’ll bet you won’t. I’m not so old
that I’ve forgotten the nights before
your father nnd I went to the circus.
Go to bed. Get going.”
He watched her os she rnn to the
door.
“You sure have taken on responsi
bility,” he reminded himself.
The next morning Rodney, with Jean
snuggled In the roadster beside him,
stopped before the red brick house.
Prudence was waiting at the gate; her
vivid lips were curved In a radiant
smile.
“Good morning, Jean. I’m thrilled!
My heart Is so light It’s bouncing along
on balloon tires. Will there bo room
for me on the front seat, Mr. Gerard?”
“Cut out that ‘Mr.’ —Gorgeous. It
doesn't click with a circus. Rod—to
you. Of course there’s room In front.
Hop In.”
Jenn bounced In her seat. “Hurry
up. Miss I'rue. Let’s go, Uncle Rod.”
The main street of the town was
already lined with crowds when they
reached It; It boiled with children,
echoed with the cries of fakirs, blazed
with mammoth black and red posters.
Gerard parked the roadster on a side
street Jean's feet barely touched the
ground as between Prudence and her
uncle she was swept along In the hur
rying crowd. She stopped short In
front of a poster showing an equa^ 1
trienne in rose-color tulle skirts and a
brief bodice, with the caption:
MADEMOISELLE MILLEE
"Why, there’s my cutey— ’’
Gerard looked at her sharply as she
bit off the next word.
"What do you* mean, K. K.? You —’’
"Buy t\ie kid a balloon! Buy the
kid n balloon! Say, listen! What’s a
circus to a kid without a balloon?”
The hntlesß man with an unkempt
mane of blnck hair and n flock of col
ored balloons straining at their leashes,
blocked the way. Jean’s eyes were like
dancing stars.
"May I have one, Uncle Rod?"
"Sure. Choose the color. Have one,*
Prue?”
"Of course. I want that fat green
one which looks as If It were about to
burst from its own importance.’’
What fun she was! How friendly
she had been on the drive over. Had
she burled the hatchet she seemed al
ways to have up her sleeve for him?
She was so olive mentally and physical
ly. Life never could get one by the
throat if one had a girl like her with
whom to travel through the years,
Rodney thought.
"It’s coming! The pnrade’s com
ing !’’ Prudence gripped Gerard's arm.
"Hear that bugle, Jean?"
Rodney pushed Jean In front of him.
Crushed his arm against his side to
keep Prue’s hnnd there. Far down the
street was a restless sea of waving
plumes, shining helmets, brilliant flags.
Music billowed forward. Snares.
Drums. Cornets. Clarinets. He said
to Prudence:
“The thrill of the Big Top. It’s got
me. I’m as excited as any kid In the
crowd.”
The girl’s brilliant eyes met his.
“It’s got me, too. I’m shaking with
excitement. Here they come! I won
der If we’ll see Chicot.”
Music nearer now. A band In bril
liant red coats, tall shakos on their
heads, passed playing, “Stars and
Stripes Forever.” Countless feet tap
ping the rhythm. Countless throats
humming the tune.
Everywhere the glitter of rhine
stones among sequins. Everyone gay.
Everyone smiling. The parade was
hitting on all cylinders.
“El-e-phants are coming! nold your
horses!”
An enormous elephant led the herd,
the scarlet coated man on his bend
seemed like a midget, the keepers
strutting at his side mere pigmies.
Gerard felt Jean’s fingers tighten
In his, heard her quick breath of relief
as the unwieldy beast passed. Pru
dence caught her free hand and smiled.
Had she sensed the child's fear?
A monkey-faced clown commenced
to bent up a gigantic police-clown.
Jenn walled:
“Chicot Isn’t there. He said he’d
wink at me." Her eyes were deep
wells of disappointment. Gerard
squeezed the thin fingers sympa
thetically.
“Tnke It easy, K. K. He’ll come.
There he Is now! See him? See
him?” He caught her under the arms
and lifted her for an Instant. “He's
on that funny little bicycle. See him?”
She nodded excited ussent. He set
her on her feet. “See how the big fnt
fnced clown on the motorcycle behind
h!m keeps butting Into his hind wheel?
Chicot has a balloon. A red balloon
like yours, K. K. He’ll see you In n
minute.”
Prudence laughed up at him. “Chi
cot must have a magic charm for at
tracting hearts. Jenn Is positively
tearful over him. and I warmed to him
at once."
“If he has touched your shellacked
heart, I’ll offer him a fortune for his—”
"You nre missing the comedy,” Prue
reminded crisply.
As Chicot came abreast of Jean, his
balloon popped. With heart-rending
sobs he shook the bit of rubber toward
the girl.
“Well of all people I If here Isn't
tho new lumber firm of Schuyler and
Gerard eating popcorn and watching
the el'pliants!”
Calloway’s taunting voice nt his
shoulder sent the blood In Rodney
Gerard's body rushing to his ears In
blinding, bluck anger. Ills furious
eyes met the mocking eyes on a level
with his.
“Shut up, Calloway! You—”
“Tnke mine. Chicot I Take mine!”
OOSmjRrmlTY DEMOCRAT
WNU Service. I
Jean’s excited voice cut Into her un
cle’s. She darted forward. Rodney
grabbed for her. Missed. The motor
cycle clown, looking back In a parting
wisecrack, shot forward at full speed.
The crowd shrieked. Chicot caught
the girl. Flung her bnck with all his
force. The panic-stricken cyclist
crashed Into him.
Aeons after, It seemed to Rodney
Gerard, the physician, bending over
“Be a Good—Girl, Milly.”
Jean’s limp figdre on the black hair
cloth sofa In a nearby house, straight
ened.
"She’s coming out of it all right.
Prolonged faint from shock. Better
get her home ns soon ns she can sit
up.’’
Prudence whispered:
"Don’t look so agonized, Rodney.
See, her eyelids are quivering."
“I’m all shot ti pieces over this. I
I didn’t know hot- much I cared for the
Kurious—” Gemrd choked on the
words.
Across the ryn on the floor where
they had dronAl him lay the clown.
Rodney over the twisted
body, laid his hnnd on the dirt
streaked shoulder.
"You saved her, Chicot Can you
hear? You —**
"Let me in! Where’s Grandpop?
Let me In!”
A girl, In the cotton velvets and
plumed hat of a circus rider on parade,
burst Into the room. Patches of rouge
stood out like fever spots on her color
less face. Her black eyes were dis
tended with fright With a shriek
she flung herself to her knees beside
Chicot, put her arms under the old
clown’s shoulders, and lifted him until
his head rested against her breast.
A spasm of pain contorted the
grotesque face. The lids under their
painted brows opened. He tried to
put his hand over hers. It wavered
futilely and dropped. His whisper
seemed to fill the still room.
"Be a good—girl, Milly. You’ll be a
—great—rider—lf you keep at it. I've
kept you—with me —you’re safer—
now. I—must —get up. Time —for —
my act—"
The last faint word fluttered in a
sigh. Chalky lids drooped over dull
eyes. The crumpled figure settled
lower In the girl’s arms.
"Grandpop! Grandpop 1 Don’t leave
me! I can’t bear It to have you hurt 1
First I hurt you and now—”
The physician gently loosened the
girl’s arms and eased the body of the
old clown to the floor. Rodney Gerard
laid his hand on her shoulder.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Confederation Articles
and U. S. Constitution
The articles of confederation con
ferred upon congress none but the
delegated powers nnd recognized the
absolute sovereignty of the states,
notes a writer in the Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
Aside from the right to mnko war
and peace, regulate foreign inter
course, receive nnd send ambassadors,
control and coinage of money, and set
tle disputed boundaries, congress had
no power to net without the consent
of nine of the stntes, each casting one
ballot. It could not levy taxes, and
before 1787 the wnr debt had de
stroyed the financial reputation of the
United States abroad.
The states were divided In their In
terests. and at the last Colonial con
gress but eight of the stntes sent dele
gates. Not the least of the weak
nesses of the confederation was the
nonprovision of a chief magistrate, or
for a nntlonnl Judlclnry.
To meet these needs It was found
necessary to frame a new Constitu
tion, systematically organizing a per
manent form of government.
This document arranges the powers
of government under three heads—
legislative, executive and Judicial—and
places the supreme power In the peo
ple of the whole country, Instead of
vnlnly endeavoring to maintain a mul
titude of Independent states. It re
placed n disjointed confederacy of
Jealous states with « natloa
The New Year
By Tennyson
W W ING out, wild bells, to the wild
K
The flying cloud, the frosty
light.
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
"Ring out the old, ring in the new;
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
"Ring out the grief, that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor;
Ring in redress to all mankind.
"Ring out a slowly dying cause
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life.
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
"Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out, my mournful rhymes
Rut ring the fuller minstrel in.
"Ring out false pride in place of blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right;
Ring in the common love of good.
"Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
"Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land;
Ring in the Christ that is to be .”
Leave It to
Nancy
By
Charles
Frederick
Wadsworth
A
NevJ "?<2a
/ f
IT WAS 11 :U0 p. w., December 31.
Salesmen of the "Speedaway 0"
stood in groups discussing the
bonus contest of the year—an extra
SI,OOO to the salesman with the great
est cash total, exclusive of trade-in
credits.
For several months, first one sales
man had topped the blackboard In the
salesmen’s room, then another. But
gradually it became evident that the
race was to be between Mark Bert man
and Jerry Gnyle, leading the others
handsomely.
Some of the boys Insisted that Mark’s
denis were not always ethical. Others
said, "Get the business!"
But for Jerry’s clean-cut methods
there wus only admiration, though It
seemed that Mark would win.
Jerry left a sympathetic group, went
to the telephone and dialed a number.
“Hello! Nancy?" His voice was un
enthuslsistlc. "Mark Is up three hun
dred and ninety dollars on me, and
there Is less than an hour to go. I’m
sunk !’*
Nancy’s voice came back to him en
couragingly. “nold everything and
leave It to Nancy!”
Jerry hung up, wondering, but
strangely revived. Nancy was such a
good little sport
At 11:42 Nancy breezed Into the
“How Much?”—“Eight Hundred and
Fifty Dollars.”
show room and motioned Jerry over to
a sport roadster.
“How much?” She asked.
“Eight hundred and fifty dollars,”
said Jerry. Understanding dawmed up
on him.
Nancy wrote u check for the amount
“Make out the papers,” she said. “I
want to drive It away.”
By that time the whole sales force
had gathered around, Including the
distributor, Walker.
The transaction completed, Nancy
settled herself at the wheel and sped
out the exit
Walker extendeo his hand to Jerry.
“You win, Jerry! Congratulations 1”
Anderson, another salesman, re
marked to Smith "Did you get that?
She planks down eight hundred nnd
fifty to help Jerry win a thousand,
which will pny for the car nnd lenve
a hundred nnd fifty over!”
"What of It?” asked Smith. "Who Is
that little peach?”
“Why, she Is merely .Jerry’s future
wife. They nre to be mnrrled tomor
row—or rather, today. By the way, a
happy New Year, and all clean deals I”
©. WeMern Newspaper Union.
CAP
AND
BELLS
PROMISING
Mr. and Mrs. Penley were honost.
hard-working farmer folks. By self
denial they had managed to send
their son to Harvard. One day a
letter arrived. “I know you will be
pleased,” wrote the son, “to learn
that I have won the squash cham
pionship.”
“Well, well 1” beamed Father Pen
ley. “We’ll make a farmer out of
that boy yet, mother.”
Defined
Wee Betty—Mother, I feel so
'cited!
Mother—Excited, dear? I don't
think you know what excited means.
Wee Betty—Why, it’s being In a
hurry all over.
Diagnosed
“Doctor,” said the pest who al
ways was trying to get free medical
advice. “I have the queerest noises
in my head; what do you suppose
causes it?”
“Maybe the wheels in there need
oiling,” he snapped.
Compensation
Farmer Bentover — That drouth
cost us over 0,000 bushels of wheat.
Mrs. Bentover—Yes, but there is
nothing without some good. During
that dry spell we could at least get
some salt out of the shakers!
'Twas Ever Thus
"You look worried. What’s the
matter?”
“Ding it, my doctor Just told me
I’ve got to quit worrying or else.”
SLUSH FUND, OF COURSE
City Official —Where are we to get
the money for cleaning the streets
after these heavy snows?
Assistant—Out of the slush fund,
of course.
Case of Necessity
"What was the inspiration for your
success?” the rich man was asked.
“Well, frankly,” he grinned, “It
was the meals my wife cooked when
we were first married. I realized
right off I’d have to earn enough to
hire n cook If I didn’t want to die
of indigestion.”
Woof! Woof!
"Tills Is a retail store, isn’t it,”
asked the old lady.
“Certainly, madam,” said the clerk.
"Well,” said she, “some friends
gave my grandson this pup, and it
has had its tail cut ofT and I want it
retailed, please.”
Dumb-Bell
He—I’ve Just been reading some
statistics. Do you know that every
time my watch ticks, a man dies.
She—For goodness sake, let it run
down. —Royal Arcanum Bulletin.
Did He Get the Job?
Employer—Personal appearance is
a helpful factor in business success.
Employee—Yes, and business suc
cess is a helpful factor in personal
uppearance.
The Answer to That One
“Were you ever kissed?” the old
maid was asked.
"Well, if I should die tomorrow it
would not be from curiosity,” she re
plied.—Cincinnati Enquirer.
So It Goes
Barney—Did the doctor cure Kelly
of insomnia?
Tim—He did. Now Kelly cun’t
sleep nights wondering how he’s go
ing to pay the doctor!
Equality for All
Friend—IIow's the boy since he
come bock from college?
Mon—Fine I Still treats us as
equals.
GET SMARTNESS
IN SATIN FROCK
PATTERN 2029
Probably about now you have de
cided that you Just must have a
satin frock. You’re right I And here
is the model you have been seeking
In which to moke it It Is a dress
you can wear afternoon or evening
and always look smart. The Jabot is
not Just an ordinary Jabot but some
thing cut in one with the yoke and
Joined in the bodice on new and
very chic principles. The sleeves,
too, do things differently, and while
there is nothing different about the
pleats at the bottom of the skirt,
front and back, they afford graceful
movement for the slim panels.
Pattern 2029 Is available In sizes
IG, 18, 20, 34, 30, 38. 40, 42, 44 and
4G. Size 30 takes 4 , .4 yards 39 inch
fabric. Illustrated step-by-step sew
ing Instructions Included.
Send FIFTEEN CENTS (15c) in
coins or stnnips (coins preferred)
for this pattern. Write plainly name,
address and style number. BE SURE
TO STATE SIZE.
Address orders to Sewing Circle
Pattern Department, 213 West Sev
enteenth Street, New York City.
MISLEADING MELODY
“You can learn a great deal from
old songs," remarked the light-heart
ed statesman.
"They may be misleading,” an
swered Senator Sorghum. “When
posterity revives ‘We Have No Ba
nanas’ a large number of persons
may be led to Infer that with all
our crop failures the most we have
had a contend with was a scarcity
of tropical fruit.” —Washington Star.
Youthful Assumption
"IIow Is your son getting on In his
new position?"
"First rate," answered Farmer
Corntossel. “lie knows more about
the business now than the boss does.
All he has to do Is convince the
boss."
Busy
Caller—I would like to see the
Judge, please.
Secretary—I’m sorry, sir, but he Is
at dinner.
Caller—But, my man, my errand
Is Important.
Secretary—It can't be helped, sir.
Ills Honor Is at steak. —I'enrson’s
Magazine.
Lofty Assumptions
"You have been getting some bad
advice In business."
"I have,” answered Mr. Dustin
Stnx. "I had a highbrow group of
advisers. But highbrows are always
suspected of high-hat inclinations.
Instead of a bruin trust I got merely
a brain crust.”
She Was Willing
Curate (admiring n bowl of bulbs)
—IIow lovely to think It will soon be
opening time, Mrs. Bird.
Mrs. Binks—Well, now, and who
ever would have thought of you say
in’ a thing like that! But Tin game
to pop out for a quick one If you
feel Uko It.—London Tit-Bits.