The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-12-16


for the distant hilltop where st.
Croix would be waiting for her. For
she intended again today to keep him
waiting.
Last Monday she really had been
at their meeting place long ahead of
the appointed time and, having been
curious as to how he would treat her
hardness, she had, on his appearing
in the distance, hidden in clump Of
bushes and watched him; his restless
Impotence, the eager light in his eyes
when once he thought he heard her
coming; and then his childish maneu-
vers to deceive her-his descending
the hill, skirting the base and climb
ing up again on the other side in all
that mud! How she had enjoyed her.
self watching him!
Evidently Marvin was not such an
ass as st. Croix. "From all accounts
he sounds like the Noble Army-of-
Martyrs-Praise.Thee! Which is worse,
/ wonderful be a bounder or to be
SO uncomfortably noble?" It certainly
did sound uncomfortably noble to be
willing to live at Absalom Puntz'
when you could live In the much more
comfortable home Of the Creightons.
For Aunt Rosy's investigations had
proven Mr.. Schwenckton's surmise
ccrrect-Marvin Creighton was board
ing, for the time being, at Absalom's
cottage on the Schwenckton's farm,
which fact added considerably to
Meely's uneasy apprehensions.
AS she strolled on her way to her
meeting with st. Croix, in the lovely
October sunlight, shewondered wheth-
er she should amuse herself with 'lur-
ing' Marvin as she was working" st.
Croix (for other reasons than her
amusement). Marvin might not be
such easy game; they said he de-
spised girls
probably he's afraid Of them! Or
he doesn't know any nice ones Of the
Noble-Army -of-Martyrs style. Could l
work the noble stunt, wonder?
Risky! Might get my two roles mixed
up! Better keep off Marvin!"
1t was just as she came to this con-
clusfon that suddenly, with a jump
of her heart, she saw him emerge
from lane on the road ahead of her
and, turning in her direction. come
straight toward her on the highway
in long swinging stride. She recog-
nized him by that stride, for she had
seen him that morning going across
he Schwenkton's orchard to Absa-
lens cottage. That strong, free gait
of his would have arrested attention
anywhere. How different from st.
Croix' dapple prancing.
Suddenly she realized that she
dared not let him recognize her in
this ridiculously festive frock she was
wearing, for as he was bound to meet
her soon in her school room dressed
in her own character, the contrast
would make him suspicious. But how
to elude him? The highway offered
no escape. She wore no hat that she
could pull down over her face. And
uc was ulluOSL up, Will AieI
In desperation, as they were about
to pass, she raised both her arms to
fuss at her hair and thus conceal her
face.
But through the crook Of her left
arm she saw that she might have
spared herself the trouble, for he
never so much as glanced at her; ap-
parently so engrossed in his own
thoughts that he remained quite I'M
aware of the passing of pretty girl
"Well!" she breathed In mingled
surprise and pique, for she was used
to young mems looking at her as they
passed. Never batted an eyelash at
mew
She had caught glimpse. of his
face and the rest Of her walk to the
hilltop seemed all too short for the
interesting reflections aroused there
by. For she had perceived the re-
markable fact that Marvin and st.
Croix Creighton looked extremely
alike, yet totally unlike; alike in
feature and coloring and unlike in
countenance. st. Croix' smugness was
here replaced by rather wistful mel
ancholy; st. Croix' cynicism by an ex-
preston of grave kindness; st.
Croix' scornful pride by a look of
genial humor; st. Croix' keenness by
a reflective. inQuiring expression