The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-08-09


rid nightmare when Madge landed for
her summer vacation. 1t would seem
almost providential to have the girl
come from college just at the time.
but Aunt Jerry was suffering too much
physical pain from her sprained ankle
and too much mental anguish over her
greater disappointment to feel thank
full for anything.
"Oh, Aunt jerry" Madge burst into
the sick room in her usual boyish man.
ner, the manner her aunt had been
criticizing so forcefully to the family
doctor. You poor dear, how are you
feeling now? If you only knew. Doc
tor Evans. how she has sacrificed to
give Gordon his lessons, always look
ing forward to the day he would sing
his first solo in big church. And
now when she was all packed to 20
and hear him she had to fall on those
torrid old basement stairs and sprain
her ankle. Isn't 1t too terrible?"
Madge put out an impulsive hand
and patted the thin fingers on the
coverlet. She wanted to throw her
arms around her aunt and give her
big bear hug, but something about
Aunt Jerry had always seemed to hold
the girls Outburst of affection at
arms length and make her feel left
out and alone.
The postman's whistle sent her fly
ing from the room again and Aunt
Jerry turned to the old doctor with a
gratified look as much as to say,
"There. what did tell you?"
"She really is a dear at heart. l
know" conceded Aunt Jerry. feeling
instinctively that the doctors opinion
of the young girl he had doctored from
babyhood. did not exactly coincide
with her own. But she's altogether
too boyish. really feel all this
gymnastic stuff isn't just-just femi-
nine, you know. She's simply crazy
about them all, basket ball, tennis,
skating, and now her last fad is radio.
But I drew a sharp line there. Shed
much better be learning to darn and
crochet the way did when girl in
stead of listening to the crazy jazz
they get through the radio. They're
no good, tell you, no good at ALL"
With tremendous little burst of feel
ing Aunt Jerry drew her handkerchief
quickly across her eyes.
81 suppose I'm foolish" she went on
after pause. "but you know when
Sister Carrie died and left me with
the two children how happy ! was to
lafRA Gora0s-4fad asv0iae and how I've
done without to have tt trained. FL
did so want to hear him sing his first
solo in a big city church. wanted
to hear the pipe organ and feel that
my boy was part of all the bigness
and was singing his song for me out
Of a grateful heart"
Doctor Evans finished bandaging tile
foot and stood moment looking down
at the sufferer. feeling for some words
to offer in consolation. But for the
first time in the many years he had
known her he felt there was nothing
he could do to allay her mental dis
tress. His work must deal only with
the physical discomfort. "Maybe IT,
we try real hard" he fumhled. i've
may find a silver lining. Who can
tell?"
At the foot of the stairs the doctor
was confronted by a tiny but deter
mined figure with sparkling eyes and
a secretive finger across her lips. Mo-
.tioning him into the dining room. she
closed the door and began at once:
doctor, I've started something can't
finish. simply must have your help"
"Shoot ahead. young lady," he
laughed softly. sit certainly starts
out interesting enough"
After a few minutes whispered con.
sultation, the doctor tiptoed through
the hall toward the front door again
and stole out to his waiting car.
Sunday morning rose clear and
warm. Even Aunt Jerry's tired eyes
frightened as Madge trundled wheel
chair to her bedside. explaining that
the doctor had ordered by way of
tonic that she be wheeled into the
guest room, where they would proceed
to have services.
There was something unusually
buoyant about the girl as she spoke.
And Aunt Jerry very condescendingly
allowed herself to be helped into the
chair and wheeled into the next room,
wondering what new caprice had TAX
en- hold of the child.
AS Madge threw open the door to
the large room Aunt Jerry gave an ex-
clamation of genuine surprise. For
the room, usually so forbidding with
its drawn shades. sparkled with sun
shine; while flowers, great punches Of
them, were everywhere; Madge ex
planned afterward they were sent by
neighbors who wanted to share in the
surprise But for the time. Aunt Jerry
just sat and stared, taking in the spicy
fragrance with pleased look on her
thin face, too delighted to even ask
question. For just minute, however.
Then as suddenly the pleasure fed
from her face and she half rose in her
chair and pointed an accusing finger
h. Low,