Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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. • .■ N ?*£•*- Vi* •V Thursday, August 27, 1931 McCOhuflCK MESSENGER, McCORMICK, SOUTH CAROLINA’ PAGE NUMBER THRJ ROWENA RIDES Copyright 1931 by the Author 'thing but in love. But it isn’t a he wrote slowly. .. r I real marriage I have in mind. Just Bowena leaned 0V ^J- * to cover the proprieties and let us use my own name, Peter, she^ said finish up the trip —And lust think | •'•F'v*—for orofessional reasons. •how much more money we can Peter cr 5 ssed . I not alv-avs ha^in^ to bu v written and wrote Miss. Then he manicures and souvenirs for Bobby! scratched that out and wrote — i know a iudge in New York andi“Rowena Rostand. But it uia x\Ov he’ll annul us as soon as we get look just right to him so he caie- back. No harm done.” fully inserted Mrs. over the ‘‘Maybe he won’t do it.” . scratched out ‘Miss. (BY ETHEL HUESTON) FIFTH INSTALMENT Rackruff Motors hire Rowena to accompany Peter on a na tion-wide tour in their road- rter as an advertising stunt. At the last minute Little Bob by is engaged to act as Chap eron. A few miles out Bobby be comes tearful at being parted from her sweetheart and Row- cn? insists on taking her place In the rumble so that she can ride with Peter and have him to talk to about Carter. Row- rna gets Peter to consent to the expense monev each week as soon as it arrives, and astonishes Peter by eating too economically. 'The th^e legists reach Denver, after passing through Buffalo. C!* ; cago and St. Louis. Pefcr and Rowena have many t ; ffs on the wav while Carter keens wiHne Bob*’"’ to retnrn t* New York. ‘The morning after they reach Denver, Peter and Rowena discover Bobby has ^ ^ert^d them end rehern- ejl’to New York bv train. They ar£ faced with the impossible condition of continuing their trip without a chaperon. NtfW GO ON WITH THE 3TORY “Well, you're rot chained there, p~e you? There’s nothing to keep vou f r cn getting sut. is there? I’m in bed, ton but I’m not qroing to lo t a mere being in bed interfere with mv professions! future am X? T’H meet y^u down-stairs in ten minutes.” And she hung up the recover. Now on the whole, no one could have been more practical about things connected solely with busi ness than Rowena. Her clothes were smart, for all their increasing shabbiness, but thev were extreme ly tailored and trim. Her very manners were cr<sn and busincss- hke. But something—she didn’t know iuri. what—promoted her to her chic sports costume *v*at Rhe dived to the bot tom of her bag and pulled out a sole and shimmery little dinner gown of enticing line and beguiling color. She put on her highest- heeled silken slippers. She got out tinkling little blue bracelets and earrings and chains. And she ac centuated her shimmerv sweet ness with the flattering lines of a f he maddening voice of one who! insulted in—in the lap of luxury..” has stoutly enjoined one’s inner She raised the umbrella with a soul to smiles and sweetness. And vicious little click of the snap, ad- indeed even in her sleep Rowena justed the cushions about her had been reminding herself that slender body, and rode the rumble she must be very patient with in solemn grandeur, leaving Peter Peter for a few days, as he was apt to fume futilely alone in front, to be just the least bit in the world it was about the hour of sunset cross about the state of affairs. when a sudden shadow blackened Within an hour they were hurl- the west, a sudden cool breeze ing the dust of Cheyenne from the touched their faces. Oh yes he will He wants toi The clerk studied the name, the wheels of the roadster and as soon “They must be having showers ~>%vrv me" himself He’ll annul us telephone girl looking over his ns th* last- outpost of the city lav in the mountains,” said Peter, like a shot out of a ” shoulder as he did so. The large buried in the past Peter pulled off j But Rowena. deep in a painful “But Rowena—” ’ he began man in the slouchy clothes studied to the side of the road and drew sleep of complete exhaustion, did wretchedly Pc".er. _ * up to a grinding stop. Then he not answer. “And Peter dear Peter,” said “New York, eh?” said the clerk, turned to Rowena and his was not I It was more than showers they ’ * “Yes,” said Peter. th° look of a newlv married man. j were having in the mountains—it “Yes. indeed.” chimed Rowena. “Well, you see what fools we was cloudbursts, one after the oth- “Motor out together?” made of ourselves ” he began. “I er in torrential downpour, and in “Yes.” said Peter and Rowena in hope you’re satisfied.” less time than it took for the cool- “I’m terribly sorry,” said Rowena ing breeze to sweep down the over the humbly. “i feel just wretchodlv plain with refreshment for their Rowena moving prettily in the transparent velvet scarf, “I’m real- U; a terribly nice sort when I’m not working hard and worried about m^nev. Ever and ever so we 11 -timed chorus, mgjiy quite nice people are terribly t The clerk frowned anxious to be married to me. I room ch^rt. ‘‘I’m afraid we’re about everything. But I couldn’t tired faces, every dry creek bed and dare say as a married couple we full up,” ne said slowly. “Not a oo^r'-'v forsee such awful comnli- patched arroyo that led from the shall get along better than most, thing left.” cations, now could I, Peter? What hot mountains to the burning And we will be careful to get rooms I Peter loaned over the desk and "xo^nenco have I had with hus- plains was flooded with rushing on separate floors of the. hotel and his mild face looked quite grim and bands and hotel registers and such water from the heights. ■ * * —— — 1 j 1 1 m^strositiss?” He guided the little roadste~ “We’ll just have to make the best along the rnesa rnM of n, suite o^ adjoining rooms her*'- another of the ''arrow ror»kv gorge 0 after,” said Peter more kindly. “It’s through which thev had been pass- this demanding separate floors that ing at intervals all dav long. TV me Vs them give us the razzbervv.” roar in his ears grew louder, closer. “But we can’t have connecting Suddenly it sounded ominous pod rooms, Peter.” protested Row°^e threatening. Peter looked to the unhappily. “We just can’t. We west and was amazed to see a sohd have to be terribly careful about wall of water nearly as hi^h as the things like that or we can’t get car sweeping down the little can- annulled. Don’t vou see. Pete**, if yon. we stay in adjoining rooms clear Irstin^tivelv his foot pressed tV .aerrws f he country nobody in the accelerator. The roaring wall of make the clerks give us a receipt ugly. “You said you had two making a note of it, so we can use rooms,” he said in a low voice, it for evidence that we have never “We did then, said the clerk —uh—never been—anything but evenly. “But just now —V shook just—well, married, vou know.” his head—“I’m afraid not. “That’s enough, if you ask me,” The telephpone girl snickered a said Peter in a troubled voice. .little and one of the men sitting I’m tprrihiv hiim?rv ” said Row- near bv rustled his paper. Rowe-a T m terribly hungry, sam wow^ flushed and caught a sharD breath, litof Dllce^clerttold"^ cowering slightly, but Peter sud- ab n o g ut litt and Pla h C ave th a sfndwfc^ o? denlv showed suriv and efficient something. And you think it over. , y «nd h wpni take them* I hed to think up some way out of Jw® rooms, and well take t it, Peter. We just couldn't chuck We ve ^ ^ r l t , 1 , flcate » lf it—not here—not right at the very thats what s eatm_ you. front door of the Rocky Mountains. “Yeah?” I couldn’t bear it.” “Rowena, get the certificate!” So they took a taxicab and went i Rowena hurriedly took it out of down to the nice little place and the’Side pocket of her bag. The here and there. Children were set to gathering stones and sticks for a fireplace. All together they ate impromptu supper on the plains, sitting in a cluster of friendly groups about the fire, and afterward as the darkness fell and the stars lit the black sky over the black prairie, they gather ed closer and talked. Some sang, and the men smoked. And pres ently by twos or by families they crept away to their separate camps for the night. “Here’s an old mattress you can use,” said the Kansas farmer, toss ing it cross to Peter. “We’ve got another one. It’s not very big but you’re not a very big family.” (CONTINUED NEXT WEEK) Cs r •! cik Mi is "oinq to believe we—we Tr ;‘ > ''" r r ” c is but the arroyo it- ’•eallv did—stay in adjoining, self was closer—a scant few f^t roums ” a^vav—and in a few minutes the “Then ^e’ll have to get a divorce ! onrushin^ rive" wou 1 ^ render it im- instead of an annulment. I am passable for cars. The car leaped mt to meV a fool of myself forward Vwn th° ‘Tepp sl°pe in- MV that, again.” ; to the arroyo. But the hungry “But wp can’t c^t divorce in I water, as if jealous of this boldness. 'Je^’ York.” protested ^^ena. “T down upon them. The car vrptp o, .cV"v e^out tha f on<m—T swung powerless beneath his hand, kno™ ^pw th 0 1-*^'* a"-' "s slid away fr^m the road and the would have to go to Reno or Paris river tossed it lightly down-stream to get it and it would take every and drove it securely into a crevice of money we can save on the among the rocks, whole trip to nav for the divorce. I Rowena, suddenly aroused from And what good would that be to her exhausted sleep, had started up / •* ■<*.' >w* Rowena looked adorable to Peter when she joined him in the lobby of the hotel. Rowena didn’t say a word about business, or money, or professions. She talked softly of lovely, lovable chiffon velvet ,scarf, deep and wide < things, and smiled, and the beads and ruff’ed. ’shone blue on her throat, and stars When Peter, waiting rather sulk- i shone, in the blue of her eyes, un- ilv in the lobby of the hotel, first til Peter declared it was a very saw her floating toward him he good idea of h£rs and they would could scarcely believe it was Row- get it done first thing next morn- ena of the rumWe seat. Her rouge-red lips smilpd at his frank amazement and she took his hand in hers, nowderv soft to the touch and faintly perfumed. “Peter, darling,” she said. “I have a gorgeous idea.” Peter’s sulkiness took instant flight. “Gosh, Rowena, you— you’re exouisite! You’re just rav ishing! You must let me paint vou like that. You’re .simply un- believeable—vou’re not real!” “Oh. but this :.s the real Rowena,” she said with seductive sweetness. “You never saw me before. You know only a poor little working girl trvmg to earn her daily bread.” “I—I’v rt just got to oaint you like that!” “You shall,” she promised, smil ing. “I suppose it’s too late to do it now—” he began. ‘I’m afraid so.” Rov/ena drew a deep, deep breath. Something ahrmt. i f —r^m^tvuncr about. he r — made Peter think vaguely of a swimmer standing cold and bold and bare, body poised motionless, for a distance plunge into icy wat er.—“Peter—you—vou are very sure you are not in love?” “t win be.” he assured her gal lantly. “if you look like this very oft'm.” “I’m serious. Peter.” “No, I’m not, in love.” “Absolutely?” “Absolutely.”. “Then Peter, how about this?” mg. clerk read it slowly and handed it to the large man in the slouchy clothes who looked it over and nod ded churlishly. “Denver, eh?” inquired the cleijs. “To-dav, eh?” “Yes,” said Peter. “Some other people drove out with us,” Rowena hastened to ex- • nn. “And they were unexpect- anybody? “Tdl give vou grounds + o get it right in New York,” said Peter grirr^v. “I’m desperate.” “That’s like you, Peter.” said Rowena impatiently. “Thinking on ly of vourself as usual.—Well, don’t vou vhink for a minute that I’m in terror at sight and sound of th torrential river bearing down them. Promoted bv an annate im pulse she struggled ^uickh* up the seat of the rumble, intending to lump, but the car was flun^ violently f r om beneath h*r and cheated of*her insecure foothold oaring to get a divorce in New York.; she fell headingg, face downward. I’m not going to be made a fool; in the icy water, of there before all mv friends ” i Peter stunned bv the un^xnact- “What, do vou mean—made a ed onslaught of water. wa s startled foo 1 ' v f?” Peter demanded. to action at sight of Rowena whio- “Whv. havirior everv^odv think T ; ped helpless against the rocks by am so no-good I can’t hang on to a th^ ^rre^tible flood. CHILDREN CRY FOR IT— /"CHILDREN hate to take medicine ^•'as a rule, but every child loves the taste of Castoria. This pure vegetable preparation is just as good as it tastes; just as bland and just as harmless as the recipe reads. When Baby’s cry warns of colic, a few drops of Castoria have him soothed, asleep again in a jiffy. Nothing is more valuable in diarrhea. When coated tongue or bad breath tell of constipation, invoke its gentle aid to cleanse and regulate a child’s bowels. In colds or children’s diseases, you should use it to keep the system from clogging. Castoria is sold in every drug store; the genuine always bears Chas. H. Fletcher’s signature. After breakfast the next morning j edly called back to New York—and Peter insisted upon u^ng a small so—the rest of us—Peter and I— portion of their dwindling expense just got married.” money to buy a plain wedding ring. “We’ve got a very nice suite on They had no trouble procuring the second floor,” suggested the L ha license, hurried directly and by clerk. twelve o’clock they were married. “All right,” said ^eter "Winiy Pack in the hotel they turned “No,” cried Rov/ena, faint but husband for Wa months!—No, if it comes to that, I’ll give you ^■rnunds.” “You’ll what?” “Give you grounds for a di- VO r CC?” “What grounds?” “The same grounds vou so mag- napimously offered me.” “Rowena. :are you crazy? A woman can’t do a thing like that. “You little fool—what did vou jump for?” he shounted, but even <*nokc he was rut of the car and in less than a moment had her firmly in his arm. Slowly he drew her back until they had the support cf the car behind them against the coM p r essure of the water. “I—didn’t!” she shouted as soon as she recovered her breath. “Fell!” “Sorrv!” roared Peter regretful- Why. it—it would ruin you. You‘re Iv. “My fault! Shouldn’t havr abruptly away from each other as soon as they had their keys from the desk and v/ent up to their rooms by separate elevators. And at one o’clock thev were drawing out of Denver, headed north, both a little hushed, a little excited and more than a little nervous. It was very late that night when 'hey reached Bhevenne. Th" last twenty miles Peter drove slowly, creeping along as one who dreaded the ultimate arrival and when no om^unt of slowing down could postpone the inevitable he was plainly on edge. firm. “Separate floors.” The clerk grinned, not unsymoa- thetically. “AU right, all ri^ht.” said. “Don’t be nervous, lady. We’ll put him on the top floor.— Congratulations. Mr. Plande. She’s certainly a beauty. She’ll get over that nervousness.” Peter muttered unspeakable things deep down in his throat, and + he boy came in and took their bags and led them off to separate rooms on senarate floors. A loud gust of laughter swept up the elevator shaft in their wake. In th n doorway of the room as- crazv! “Oh. am I? Well, let. me tell you on* thing. Mr. Peter B^nd"* I’d rather have my friends think I stepped out on vou two months af ter our marriage than that I couldn’t keep vou from stepping out on me. It’s rrmch mdre flat- te , ** r *'r. T assure vou!” “You would. Rowena. I honestlv believe you would. You’re just tried it!—No good racing a river!” “Cheerio!” comfor L ed Rowgna lonHiy. “You nearly m n de *t!” Other cars pulled up beside the new-horn ri^er .and the occunants lent their willing assistance in get ting Peter and Rowena safelv no or* shore. And Pet Q r. against the n f fho tourists and the frightened orders of Rowena. wen*- immediately back to the car for “Xt’s going to be awkward as the i c igned her Rowena turned and Another deep breath—another nre- ly ct his heels. de-di.” he said naudily. “Not at all.” said Rowena. “Jus^. go right in aud ask for two rooms on separate floors.” “You’d better come with me. It will look odd for me to go in alone and then come back for you.” Rowena got, out. “J-iust be off hand about it, Peter. Be casual.” “Yeh,” he growled. “They’re go ing to think it’s very fishy.” Obviously, they did think so. Pet er strolled up to the desk with a conspicuous assumption of non chalance. Rowena tagging nervods- monitory quiver of cold flesh antic ipating an iev plunge. “You know. -~~rri9"e isn’t the sweetly sacred thing it used to be. It’s only a sort of adventure these days, a matter of expediency, or convenience, or emotional experiment. And besides, business is far more important. Don’t you think so?” “I hadn’t really thought of it in just, that way.” said Peter vaguelv. “Well, you think of it and you’ll see I’m right. And as long as we’re not in love with anybody else or anything, and nobody cares one way or the other—well, why don’t we—why can’t we—don’t you see what I mean? Why not lust go ahead with the trip the way we are, and do the work, and get the money and everything—and just get married? That’s all.” Peter hadn’t remotely suspected what she had in mind until she brought the word out, struck him full in the face with it, as it were. And it pulled him up short, shock ed and resentful, like a struck man. “Why, Rowena, that's—that’s very nice of you—I supppse. But I really had never thought about —being married to you ” “Well,” she interrupted tartly, ■“if it comes to that I can’t think of anything in the world I’d like less than being married to you, either.” But she realized at once she was off on the wrong tack and quickly changed her methods “Of course, darling,” she added kindly, “I know we don’t get along very well together, and that we’re any-1 “Got a couple of rooms?” he ask ed the clerk. “Yes, sir,” said the clerk briskly. “On—er separate floors, I sup pose.” said Peter hopefully. “No—connecting,’* 1 said the clerk. “Er—well—” began Peter, weak ening. But Rowena nudged him. “We’d rather have them—er—on different floors, if you don’t mind.” he stammered and his face grew red. The clerk looked uo at them strangely. The telephone girl came around from her desk in the corner and lounged within good hearing distance. A large man in slouchv clothes sauntered over from the cigar stand. Two men sitting near dropped their papers in their laps and one began to rub his glasses. “Separate floors?” repeated the clerk. “Y-yes, please,” chimed Rowena helpfully. “So—so we won’t wake each other up mornings. We—sleep late.” “Um. I see,” said the clerk. “Traveling together?” “Yes,” said Peter firmly. “My wife and I are taking a motor trip up to Yellowstone.” The clerk swung the register to ward him and handed him the pen. “Will you register?” “•Peter Blande,” wrote Peter firm ly. “Your—wife, too, please,” said the clerk. Peter hesitated. “Mrs.—Peter—” held out an annealing hand. “G-good night, Peter,” she said sadly. SIXTH INSTALMENT Rowena suggests to Peter that they make a “companion ate” marriage. Thev are mar ried and ro to Cheyenna, where ♦heir actions, when thev ask for rooms on senarate floors, arouse the suspicions of the hotel clerk. Thev finallv suc ceed in getting rooms, but not without exciting the laughter of the hotel loungers. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY Although Peter was furiously angry, highly humiliated, and blaming Rowena for everything. h° was kind at heart and could not resist the nlaintive pathos in her voice, usually so crisn ani eool. “Good night, Rowena,” he said more pleasantly than she had any right to exoect. “Don’t worry. Everything’!! be all right.” After a sleepless night Peter was down in the lobby at an un believably early hour. But early as it was, he did not precede the interested smiles and stares of the day staff which had replaced the night workers—clerks, telephone operators and elevator boys. Even at that unreasonable hour there were loungers in the lobby. And each and every one of them, and even the head waitress smiling in the door of the dining-room, knew all about the young New Yorkers married the day before in Denver who demanded rooms on separate floors. Confusion stung his face with burning red. He went up-stairs, walked up, to Rowena’s room and knocked sharp ly. “Yes—who?” called Rowena in a bright voice that had obviously been schooled to register good na ture in the face of adversity. “Me.” he answered surily. “Chuck your things *in4o your bag and let's get out of here.” “How about'breakfast?” “The with breakfast.” that dumb.” said Peter. “However, I their bags, let’s not fight over getting the j “The the clothes we’ve got,” he divorce today. The thing to agree explained cheerfully. “They’re on now is that we’ve got to put up imoortant.” with rooms adjoining or ensuite Fortunate^ the bags were not and say no more about separate vet staked through au^ excent for* floors.” a few articles on ton th e contents “If you’re too nroud to ask for were drv. Rowena and Peter, soak- separate floors, I’ll do it,” said Ro- wet, hurriedly got out drv wena. “I’d rather be embarrass- | clothes and then paused abvuotlv. ed before a strange hotel clerk regarding both the crowd and each than be the laughing stock of :ny other with timorous hesitanev own friends.” > i “I’ll have mv tent up in a jiffv,” “Yes that would do me a lot of! said a bi" red-faced Kansas fa**- goed, wouldn’t it?” demanded mer with loud kindliness. “River’n Renew Your Health by Purification Any physician will tell you that "Perfect Purification of the System is Nature’s Foundation of Perfect Health.” Why not rid yourself of chronic ailments that are undermin ing your Vitality? Purify your en tire system by taking a thorough course of Calotabs,—once or twice a week for several weeks—and see how Nature rewards you with health. Calotahs purify the blood by acti vating the liver, kidneys, stomach and bowels. Trial package, 10 cts. Fami ly package, 35 cts. All dealers. (Adv.) NO MORE or mice, after you use RAT-SNAP It’s a sure rodent killer. Try a Pkg. and prove it. Rats killed with RAT-SNAP leave no smell. Cats or dogs won’t touch it. Guaranteed. 35c size - 1 cake - enough for Pantry, Kitchen or Cellar. 65c size - 2 cakes - for Chicken House, coops, or small buildings. $1.25 size - 5 cakes - enough for p 6ter. “That would certainly save be down by morning but we’ll ali an f ar m and out-buildings, storage my face! To have my wife sail up have to pitch camp here to-night, to the desk and register for me Give a hand there, youngster.” and ask for rooms on separate And before he had finished an- floors. Oh, yes, that would make nouncing his kind intentions ha everything fine and dandy.” i had raised a diminutive tent and i He} V? r w V, M: . & /i' \ Sl.i \ \ buildings, or factory buildings. Sold and guaranteed by STROMS’ DRUG STORE McCormick. S. C. LIQUID OR TABLETS Relieves a Headache or Neuralgia in 30 minutes, checks a Cold the first day, and checks Malaria m Lit / Row’ena opened the door of the car and sprang out! “I’m not your wife,” stormed Ro- extended its hospitality to the drip- wena. pin" pair. “No, thank God.” “rfey to the city, lady and gent,” “I’m—I just happen to be mar- he said with a great laugh, ried to you—by accident. A—a sort Peter made a hasty motion to Rowena who slipped quickly inside and dropped the flap. “Your wife, I take it,” said the red-faced Kansan with a puzzled of detour.” “Worse luck,” growled Peter. Rowena opened the door and sprang out. “What are you going to do? Walk air. to Yellowstone?” j “Yes,” said Peter. “But—the “I am going,” said Rowena cold- tent isn’t so very big—and we’re ly, “to retire in peace to my rumble both so terribly wet—and besides— seat.” I want to have another look at the “Rowena, I ask you, don’t be any ' ^J** carried more ridiculous than usual,” he. down the canyon, pleaded. “How’s it going to look—| “Don’t you worry about that cap only two of us in a roadster and brother. That there car is put for you riding in the rumble seat in keeps. At least till the river goes three davs. r > 6 6 Salve for Baby’s Cold. A Septic Tank For Farm Homes this boiling hot sun? “I’m above worrying about how things look,” said. .Rowena. “I’d down.” Other cars pulled up and their occupants joined the enforced “O. K. by-me,” called Rowena, in‘blistered in the ru rather be bounced Ijil bruised and camp on the river bank. They put imke seat than up tents and staked out claims CLEMS ON COLLEGE, Aug. 15.— Any homestead without an effec tive means of disposing of sewage is hardly a safe place to live; and the installation of a septic tank will provide a simple, effective, and inexpensive method of disposing of farm sewage, says C. W. Stroman, assistant agricultural engineer, an nouncing Agricultural Engineering Circular No. 7, A Septic Tank for Farm Homes. The circular gives in detail the location, size, construction, plans and sketches, bills of material, care and operation of a system which Mr. Stroman says should work for years without any attention except occasional inspection. It’s a simple thing to get too sick to work and still feel just well enough to go fishing.