The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-12-23
CHAPTER III-continued


"rll hide 'em good away" she said
slyly. I'D like to leave 'em all taste
'em, at home, but 1t would look sus-
picious!"
1 II want reward" he said.
She drew back a bit; but he sud-
denly snatched her, face firmly be-
tween his two hands and brought his
lips to hers-almost With a wrench
of her head she averted the contact,
and his touch, as usual, met only her
cool cheek instead of her rosy mouth.
"You always kiss me so onexpect-
ed i" she said breathlessly, looking
flushed and almost frightened. IL
wisht you wouldn't always get me so
onexpected!"
"Mcely!" He took hold of her
shoulders and turned her right about
Mace. you're going to hold perfectly
still and let me kiss you right-on-
pur-lips !"
She tried to pull herself free, but
held her in a relentless grip. Hold
still!'
II won't" she snapped, holding
her face averted. lie me be! Please
. le' me be, Mr.. Creighton
"Meelyl Why don't you ever let me
)kfss you on the mouth?"
She hung her head and answered
shyly, my lips is for the man 1
marry"
"But, Nicely, my girl, you must
!. know" he said in low voice In which
his suppressed passion quivered, shat
want much more than your lips! Or
why, my dear, would i be spending
SO much time with your"
"Ach!" She raised a radiant.
sparkling face to his. do you want
to marry me, Mr.. Creighton"
His hands fell from her shoulders ;
he turned from her and bent his eyes
to the ground.
"Ach," she apologized humbly, "that
time I guess I went too far! But,
Mr.. Creighton, what is it, then, you
want?'
He turned again and looked at her.
Nicely! I'm id if I know whether
you're as innocent and ignorant as
an angel or as deep as hell.
"You and I both know, my dear
little girl, that we're not spending all
these hours together, week after week,
for the pleasure of each others con-
yersation!"
She shook her head hopelessly. sits
always wondered me why you want to
set round talkin' to dumb thing like
me, so oneducated as what am, and
ignorant like you say angels is"
"Why do you pretend not to know
why it ISL" His voice was a little
thick and husky; his hand hot which
clasped her cool one lying in her lap
The innocence Of newborn babe
was in the eyes she raised to his
"Deedn't don't. Why do you?" But
before the burning hunger of his eyes
she recoiled; and drawing her hand
from his clasp, she rose hastily and
walked away.
''Meelyl" he called.
otOniJ BIC tuKucu anu came DUCK
to him; and with childishly obvious
effort to divert his attention from her
self, she spoke to him ingratiatingly
Of what she felt sure would have that
| effect. Zach. Mr.. Creighton, did YOU
know your brother is Twin right on our
farm, with our hard man and his wife p
"With your hired mani" st. Croi,
Exclaimed, an angry flush COVERING
lis face and neck. Living with him
He would !" he added bitterly. "That',
the sort of society he seems to pre-
fer-farm hands and miners!"
'And you, too," said Nicely, with hel
jngratiating smile. ''like low-dowr
comp'ny-ain't2 1t must run in you
family"
IF you're referring to yourself Al
low-down,' kindly don't do it again
it's insulting to my taste" He drew
her roughly to him and she nestled
into his embrace.
'Piease tell me-" she coaxed, 'abou