The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-04-18

was DuSy mixing cocktails.
'Thank heavens for that touch of
humanity!" he exclaimed. "A woman
who can bother about her hair when
shettakes her hat off, is never past
praying for. Please drink this"
She obeyed. He TOOK the empty
glass away from her. Then he came
over to the hearthrug by her side.
do you know that I kissed you last
night?" he reminded her.
II do" she answered. "That is why
have just paid eighty-four pounds
for passage to Buenos Aires"
Il should have enjoyed the trip" he
said. "Still, I'm glad haven't to go"
do you really mean that you would
have come after me?" she asked curl
Ously.
"Of course l should" he assured
her. Believe me, there isn't such an
obstinate person in the world as the
man of early mfddle-age who suddenly
discovers the woman he means to
marry"
But you can't marry me-" she pro-
tested
why not?' he asked.
Because was Oliver Hilditchs
wife, for one thing"
look here" he said, ''if you had
heen Beelzebub's wife, it wouldn't
make the least difference to me- You
haven't given me much of chance to
tell you so vet, Margaret, but love
you"
She sat little forward in her chair.
her eyes were fixed upon his wonder
ingly.
But how can your" she exclaimed.
"You know nothing of me except my
associations, and they have been hor-
rible. What is there to love in me?
am frozen-up woman. Everything
is dead here" she went on, clasping
her hand to her heart. 81 have no
sentiment, no passion, nothing but an
animal desire to live my life luxuri-
ously and quickly"
He smiled confidently. Then, with
very little warning, he sank on one
knee, drew her face to his, kissed her
lips and then her eyes.
"Are you SO sure of all these things,
Margaret?' ne whispered. Don't you
think it is, perhaps, because there has
been no one to care for you as do
as shall-to the end of my days?
The lily you left on your chair last
night was like you-fair and stately
and beautiful, but little bruised. You
will come back to the world. My love
will bring you. My care. Believe it,
please"
Then he saw the first signs of
change in her face. There was the
faintest shade of almost shell-like
pink underneath the creamy-white of
her cheeks. Her lips were trembling
little, her eyes were misty. With a
sudden passionate impulse, her arms
were around his neck, her lips sought
his of their own accord.
LET me forget" she sobbed. kiss
me +. let me forgetv'
Francis servant was both heavy
footed and discreet. When he entered
the room with tray, his master was
standing at the sideboard.
1--we done the best l could, sir" he
announced little apologetically.s
"Shall lay the cloth?"
leave everything on the tray,
Brooks Francis directed. "We will
help ourselves. In an hours time
bring coffee"
The man glanced around the room.
"There are glasses on the sideboard.
sir, and the corkscrew is here. think
you will nave everything you want"
He departed, closing the door be-
hind him. Francis held out his hands
to Margaret. She rose slowly to her
feet, looked in the glass helplessly and
then back at him. She was very beau
tiful but little dazed.
"Are we going to have luncheon?"
she asked.
"Of course" he answered. did you
think meant to starve you?'
He picked up the long envelope
which she had dropped upon the car
pet, and threw it onto the sofa. Then
he drew up two chairs to the table,
and opened small bottle of cham
payne. =
Il hope. you won't mind a picnic"
he said. "Really. Brooks hasn't done
so badly-pate de foie gras, hot toast
and Devonshire butter. Let me spread
some for you. A cold chicken after
ward, and some Strawberries. Please
be hungry. Margaret"
She laughed at him. 1t occurred to
him suddenly. with little pang, that
he had never heard her laugh before.
1t was like music.
"Im too happy" she murmured.
Believe me-" ne assured her, as he
buttered piece of toast. Happiness
and hunger might well be twins. They
go so well together. Misery can take
away ones appetite. Happiness, when
one gets over the gulpiness of it. is
the best tonic In the world. And /
never saw anyone, dear, with whom
happiness agreed so WELL" he added,
in his task to bend over and