Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1906-01-20

stare at her husband in dismay that
was almost tragic
Whatever in the world am to do?''
she demanded. you know when Mar.
ion landed on Thursday | wrote her
that she simply must come to us for
Sunday, and now here's telegram
from Harris Rogers saying that he
will be out tonight too. Luckily they
have not selected the same train. But
what am | to do with thcm?"
Her husband. glancing abStractedly
over his paper. wrinklcd his brow
We'll, what of it," he asked Did
not you want some man for Marion"
"Of course" impatently Il did ask
Dick Pcrcival, but he couldn't come.
However, Harry Rogers is here. 50
knew | could depend on him. lie ad-
mircs Marion tremendously. But Har-
riS. Don you realize that it is hardly
six months since his engagement to
Marion was broken Off? 1t was just
after that she went abroad"
Mr. Ferris whistled. oh. the deuce"
l
Isn't it awful:" gaSpcd his wife
"Of course I've always told Harris
that all he ever had to do was just to
telegraph that he was coming. but
then | never could have imagined any
thing so terrible as this. And | don't
know why the engagement was bro
ken. an! don't care. I'm fond Of
them both. Hut how ever can eNp.ain
his coming to Marion? She'll always
believe that did it on purpose" de
Spairing.y. Shell never forgive me-"
Mr.. Ferris. duly impressed by the
gravity OF the crisis, laid down his
paper.
Il will tell you what we must do
ihcn,' he began slowly. I'VE shall have
to devote ourselves to them so thor
oughly that they never will be left
alone together for Il moment. | will
have Mari4u on my mind tonight. and
YOU take Harris. Then tomorrow we
can switch off so that it wont seem so
apparent. That ought to work pretty
Well,' he declared, Frightening up
And after all it's only for two even
ings and Il day"
Mrs. Ferris reSigning herself to the
inevitable. cSSayed a smile.
"Wrll." She said StOically, its the
best we can do. Wen try"
Dinner. however. was not il success
Despite the best efforts of host and
hostess conversation lanEuiShcl and
COnStrant WAS in the air. With the pc
culiar fatality that so often attends
made to order talk the subjects touch
ed upon We're usually the most inoppor
tune that could have been mentioned
ranging from unhappy marriage to di-
vorcc and from an excuse for incon-
StanCy to Il reason for deceit. while
in the hang Gnan'; house never speak OF
the rope says Il proverb. Blu. some
how the rope always will ob1rudc it.
self. by the time the four had return
ed to the drawing room Mrs. Ferris
was in Il state of nervous tension al
most beyond endurance.
\ quiet game of bridge somewhat
restored her cqumimity. Conversation
over the card table was necessarily
u.
But l could see that poor Marion
was bored tu DEATH" admitted Mrs
Ferris TO her husband when ut last the
guests We're safely enSconced In their
own rooms, "She hates cards. And as
for me, never knew whether ! was
playing spades or without But what
else was there to do? She was dread
fully upset when told her Harris was
coming. She flushed all up. though she
tried to murlnur something about
please not minding. 1t seems she
hasn't seen him since the day of their
quarrel. 50 of course it was awkward
for her. What shall we do all tomor-
row. diStractcdiy. And if it rains
But it did not rain. The sun. climb
ing gayly over the tree tops, brought
with him Il perfect day of blue and
gold. The morning was safely got
through with at church. and after II
lciSurcly stroll home it was time for
luncheon. The RobnSonS from across
the road, the Burnhams from down
the river an | one or two others dropped
in for the midday meal Harry Rob
nSon greeted Miss Trevor with un-
concealed joy.
Il didn't know that you We're iii this
country he exclaimed. The girl
laughed
Il am going home tomorrow" she
explained. but Mrs. Ferris wouldn't
hear of my leaving without giving her
day first. And so here | am"
And 81 the gods are kind" supple
mented young Robinson. Il say. don't
you want to come out on the river with
me? 1t would be heavenly and cool
Do come" urgently.
"Now?" asked the girl doubtfully.
She glanced about the table. Lunch
con was nearly over. and the men had
begun To puff comfortably at their
pipes and cigarettes. Harris Rogers,
an eager light in his brown eyes. was
leaning forward talking earnestly to
Muriei Heath, who smilingly and
daintily in the freshest of muslins re-
garded him with an amused smile
lSS Trevor's mouth tightened. Then
ihe turned to Robinson.
Come along" she said quickly. I'D
love to-"
Mrs. Ferris, watching their depar-
ture, drew deep breath of relief That
disposed of Marion for awhile at least.
And when, after the other guests had
taken their leave. Harris announced
bis intention of taking brisk walk