The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-12-23

By 4. RAY BAKER

lie Marjorie Crandall sat at a
bw, q book dangling from a
Id hand, and with wistful eyes
ehed the stars straggle forth into
gathering night, her father, Ben
Lndall, rocked by the stove and
d Of Black Jim Simpsons lawless
predations.
NO sound disturbed the dusk ex-
ept the piping OF tree-toad. and the
breaking Of Mr.. Crandalls chair. Mar
Jorie had sat by that window much of
&ate, In q pensive mood, with her mind
ar away, at race tracks where de-
mons In motorcars annihilated time
md sometimes tossed human life
Her father always occupied the
creaky chair by the stove. at this time
Of day. The stove was dead, because
!. summer was here and almost ready
4 TO depart, but it was his custom to
3 huddle near it, forever reading a
q paper.
s'That rascal Black Jim is at 1t
again." Mr.. Crandall observed aloud.
ssAnd he's not so far away. He seems
to be edging toward Happy Valley
and I'm feeling little bit scared, al
though Of course there would be moth
ing here to interest him."
Marjorie scarcely heard him. Her
thoughts were of her racing demon.
Harry Trenton, and she had vague
hope that he might keep the big en-
gagement, very vague, indeed; for
Harry was now famous and would
not be likely to remember his sweet
heart of year ago.
The big engagement was made early
In September year ago, while Mar
jorie and Harry sat in Belle Isle park,
In Detroit, having motored thither in
his rattle-trap, made-over auto of vet
eran service which had been pur-
chased for less than a song and given
racing appearance by means of
some clever body work. At that time
Harry was a mechanic in a Detroit
automobile factory, but the racing
4 fever had gripped him and he was re-
solved to make name for himself
n on the speedways.
VII LIC kCPtCinOCA Ody AA0AAJ Adu
woposed marriage, Marjorie loved
aa ne was exceedingly roman
re was practical side to
and this asserted itself.
not in the proper financial
Ices to care for wife, so
ID that they wait year be-
ming engaged.
,vI,% IJo1.r ct 1yn
Ira year from today. On
e I'll call on you for my an
appealed to Marjorie's roman
bensities.
Fly year from today" she
But" she added, as an after
perhaps we shall be far
that time"
axes no difference" he assured
o matter where you are, will
at engagement. And in the
lie, we'll never refer to it
Neither Of us is to be re-
for if we continue to care
member. One year from to-
We are both living, / shall call
for my answer"
a month Marjorie moved
Her fathers health suddenly
led and his physician advised
life. They went to North
where Mr.. Crandall invested
kings In small farm.
jorie and Harry correspondent,
! time went on and he began
of,o lv1 no re
acing. the letters became more
hore irregular.
lie date of the big engagement was
only two days away, but Mar
entertained little hope as she sat
he window and pOndered. Fame
taken Harry from her, she was
d, for 1t had been more than
III since last she heard from him.
80w dead everything was in the
aley! Happy Valley! How she
6athed It'll No, she did not quite feel
Wthat way, because 1t had restored her
fathers health. But Marjorie's ro-
manticism did not thrill to lonesome
. places. Crowds of people, glittering
electric lights, appealed to her. She
was unhappy in Happy Valley, espe-
cially as the day of the big engage
ment drew near; for 1t meant dis
appointment, she was almost sure.
The night before that day dawned
Marjorie was alone. Her father had
found it necessary to go to Bismarck
on business. and he would be gone
several days.
"Watch out for Black Jim," he ad-
monished as he hoped into his fliv-
yer, in which he would drive 80 miles
to railway station. 81 hate to leave
you alone like this, but the business
can't, wait and somebody must stay
to look after the stock. / guess Black
Jim is after bigger game than this
little piece of land. anyhow. And
don't fall into the well--and take care
of your cold. Your voice sounds like
an auctioneer's after a week of hard
work. I'd never recognize 1t as yours
If I didn't know"