The Lambertville record., 1926-12-30
CHAPTER V-Ccati9ued.

a.
ambitious mother might well have
taken alarm, for Mary was indlsput-
ably intrigued She had never before
seen so much of youth in Neds posi-
ton This young man had thoughts,
ideas and habits that too closely ap-
preached her own to admit of only
country store as background.
However, being human, Mary did
not tell her mother everything. For
instance, she simply could not tell her
mother that this grocers clerk gave
her the H7w1vil she Mary, was
utterly II Ei4a-- Eaar charming, no matter
what she said or did. II was some
ching to treasure up, and remember
when she was alone.
Mrs. Johnston, like a cornered ami
NAL, was wholly taken up with one
great and pressing problem-how to
get out of her corner Other and
lesser problems simply did not exist
for her. She disliked inaction and
hated the policy of waiting to see how
the cat jumped" yet there was moth
ing for her to do but wait. Always
before this, when things became in
any way impossible, Mrs. Johnston
had simply turned her back and run
away from them. Now, without money
to run with, she must stay here in this
quiet country place which, like false
prophet, kept breathing peace,
peace" when there was no peace-for
her.
This morning, in the hope of dis
tracing her mother, Mary was urging
a ride to Hlllsborough, not only as a
chance to see the country, but because
Mr.. Carter said there was an inn there
where the food was good.
Mrs. Johnston did not look en-
thusiastlc, but intiumted to Mary that
she did not mind trying.
While Mrs. Johnston put on her hat,
Mary found Ned In the kitchen, deep
In an argument-heated on Mrs. Pul-
sifer's side-as to some new potatoes
for the use of her own family, which
she had expected Ned to bring with
him.
Mary's entrance hushed the storm.
hui unfortunately. owing to the clamor
that had greeted her. she used her
employers manner. Ned was annoyed
He received his Instructions moodily
and went outside to look at his en-
gine.
Mary found her mother looking out
of the window at Ned.
MARY. II might be as well not to
go. because"
Mary Indignantly interrupted. why
notf"
Being somewhat of diplomat in her
relations with her daughter, Mrs.
Johnston wisely contented herself with
saying: dorothy Selden seemed con
cerned to see you riding with the
grocer's boy
Then she laughed. Mary's head
went up.
Maybe It would be diplomatic not
to use this young man so often" Mrs.
Johnston suggested, LET him go back
to the shop today. Tomorrow we will
go with one of the other men as
driver"
"And let that interfering little cat
think we take her seriously2" asked
Mary. Indeed not I'm going to
Hillsborough, and with that young
mani If you do not care to come
why. I'll go alone"
What could her mother do but laugh,
and go along. though she thought to
herself: Little fox! What is she
up to now"
Before they reached the car she
paused to say: "Be very sure | will
take a good look at this young man
II l like him, we will continue TO cham
pion him and his driving. II do not
he's dropped !"
I'VE can't drop him far" Mary re-
Joined. Hes got to bring the gro
ceries, you know"
For one appreciabie second, Ned
forgot the chauffeur manner he had
Intended to try out on Mary. He
stared Mrs. Johnston was his s1-