The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-12-28

Wells looked wonderingIy at
the young man beside her. He had
never told her enough about his home
TO lead her to expect anything IKE
this approach to It.
Jolting greatly, the ear painted up
sharp inclines, reeIed down abrupt de-
|aoalifs, toppled about amazing curves
re the brilliant autumn foliage
sted against Marietta's warm young
eeks. she hung to the cover braces
and pressed down her feet hard In or
der to keep her place. Her hair shook
down. her hat Jared loose. her head
threatened to roll from her neck. But
she laughed through her pretty white
teeth.
Albert Page did not laugh. he was
having all he could do to steer the
old car to its destination. His hand
some face was one brilliant glow. and
his blue eyes had the large PUZZLED
look that comes from mental as well,
as physical strain.
SudderIy they came OUT OF the
woods, and Marietta heard her lover
give sigh Of relief as he auickened
speed along fairly level stretch of
road. One more sharp turn and they
paused before a house.
1t was Farmhouse, low. weather
worn. ugly, the kind of house that Is
all utility, that is made for the pur-
pose OF shelter. and stops when 1t has
performed that service. A few gera-
NUNS, which the frost had nipped,
stuck in the narrow dooryard. A white
hen which was roaming about picked
at the dry stalks. "A dog lay asleep
on the dropping porch and cat. Sit
ting on the window-siIl within. looked
out at the arrivals.
Albey sprang out on his side and
Mariet followed from her side Of
the Her young limbs felt
cramped and still vibratory.
AT that instant woman came out
OF a small tumble-down woodshed
with an armfui of wood. She was
small, hump-baeked and at first Ma
rietta could not see much of her face
because It was concealed by an old
gray sunbonnet.
nerees mother AlpeIl eAclu,'ne Y.
Tne woman dropped tne woou anu
went from her sons face to the face
% tne gar wnom ne nav Osousu'
home. She held out her hand.
eApecl tn's Y e.ar,e'.a' s.e sa'u:
Yes ae Marietta nusned. Sne nag
workeu az meg H.e' W. sss l.'t l'''es
that Aiperts plosness naAe Ws's -
effq ~ a
Come IN. said Mrs. rage. ana ied
the way INFO the house.
Where's father9" Albert asked.
= Cutting WOOD. Mrs. rage mo-
t0nea coward the NIL wnicn rose
eDay behind the house
qess III leave you TO talk ana go
see MIN, said Albert with . smii-
look.
He went away whistling. Mrs. Page
hooked after him fondly before she
turned her attention to her visitor.
ssTake on yonr things and sit down."
she said. ssess
r don't think I'll take on ms
things because I can't stay long, Ma
rietta replied, 1--WE got to get back to
the place where I'm working In time
to get supper. Mrs. Hall has new
baby and she isn't very strong"
you've been there quite q spell,
amt your"
.Two years. It's the only place I've
ever worked"
"Are they good to your
1My. yes They treat me like one
Of the family
sYou get good wages, presume"
Eight dollars q week.. The chair
in which Marietta had seated herself
cfeaked warnIngly. She Thought It
was going to fall down under her, so
she arose and went to sit on the
lounge, where she could stroke the
cat. She felt embarrassed from SO
many. questions and such close scru-
tiny as she was receiving from AL
bert's mother. Ever since she became