The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-03-17

ture to wiring him with shame and pity,
but was followed by another which
electrified him, for out Of school he
did not lack Imagination. What IL
Albert had reported his illness too
vividly to Milla? Milla was so fond
What It, in her alarm, she should come
here to the house to inquire of his
mother about him? What If she told
Mrs. Milholland they were engaged?
The next moment Ramsey was project
ing q conversation between his mother
and Milla in which the latter stated
that she and Ramsey were soon to be
married, that she regarded him as al
ready virtually her husband, and de-
manded to nurse him.
In panic he fed from the house be-
fore breakfast, going out by way Of a
side door, and he crossed back yards
and climbed back fences to reach AL
bert Paxton the more swiftly. This
creature, a ladies' man almost profess
sionally, was found exercising with an
electric iron and pair Of flannel trou-
sers in basement laundry, by way Of
stirring his appetite for the morning
meal.
"See here, Albert" his friend said
breathlessly. II got favor. want
you to go over to Milla's-"
I'm goin' to finish pressin' these
trousers" Albert interrupted. "Then
I've got my breakfast to eat"
"Well, you could do this first" said
Ramsey, hurriedly. sit wouldn't hurt
you to do me this little favor first.
You just slip over and see Milla for
me, If she's up yet, and II she isn't,
you better wait around till she is, be-
cause want you to tell her I'm
whole lot better this morning. Tell
her I'm pretty near practically all right
again, Albert, and I'll probly write her
note or something right sooner in
week or so, anyhow. You tell her"
"Well, you act pretty funny!'' Albert
exclaimed, fumbling in the pockets of
his coat. "Why can't you go on over
and tell her yourself? But just as it
happens there wouldn't be any use
your goin' over there, or me, either"
"Why not?"
"Milla amt there" said Albert, still
searching the pockets Of his coat.
"When we went by her house last night
to tell her about your headache and
stomach and all, why, her mother told
us MiTla'd gone up to Chicago yester-
day afternoon with her aunt, and said
ebo loft q nnfo for won ord che coid ~
you were sick better take it and
give it to you. was goin' to bring it
over to your house after breakfast"
He found it. "Here!"
Ramsey thanked him feebly, and de-
parted in state of partial stupefac-
ton, brought on by glimpse Of the
disabilities Of life. He had also, not
relief, but sense of vacancy and loss;
for Milla, out of his reach, once more
became mysteriously lovely.
Pausing in an alley, he read her
note.
''Dearie: Thought ought to call
you up but over the phone is just nix
for explanations as Mama and Aunt
Jess would hear everything and
thought 1 might seem cold to you not
saying anything sweet on account Of
them listening and you would wonder
why / was so cold when telling you
good-by for vile maybe weeks. 1t is
this way Uncle Purv wired Aunt Jess
he has just taken in big touring car
on q debt and his vacation starts to-
morrow so if they were going to take
trip they better start right way so
Aunt Jess invited me. Now dearie
have to pack and write this in a hurry
so you will not be disappointed when
you come by for the B. G. tonight. Do
not go get some other girl and take
her for would hate her and nothing
in this world would make me false for
one second to my kiddo boy. do not
know just when home again as the
folks think I better stay up there for
visit at Aunt Jess and Uncle Purvs
home in Chicago after the trip is over.
But I think Of you all the time and
you must think Of me every minute and
believe your own dearie she will never
no not for one second be false. So
tell SADIE and Alb good-by for me and
do not be false to me any more than
1 would be to you and 1t will not be
long till nothing more will interrupt
our sweet friendship"
AS measure Of domestic prudence,
Ramsey tore the note into irreparable
fragments, but he did this slowly,
and without experiencing any of the
revulsion created by Milla's former
missive.
He was melancholy, aggrieved that
she should treat him so.