The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-02-06

It came out in their talk that she'd
been going by on the sidewalk just
as-just as this girl they were looking
for turned in. The woman thought
she recognized her, got hold Of Lewis
somehow, and had him come to the
dance just to scrape an acquaintance
with you. I can't help it. do think
it was you they meant. I knew he
told you his first name, but I didn't
know until then that you'd told him
yours"
II didn't" she instantly put in, with
the emphasis, he thought, Of sudden
relief. "The only person I told my
name tonight was yod. He might have
heard me tell you, though" she added.
81 saw him crossing the floor right
near us while we were talking
about it."
For a moment he's thought she'd
given In and admitted she was Rhoda
Mcfarland. He moved his hand to
cover hers as he said, "Then it's my
fault really that he found out, and
that makes me the natural person to
help you"
He thought it wasn't his touch she
minded, for it wasn't until he spoke
Of helping her that she snatched her
hand away. "But don't need any
help" she told him vehemently. II
haven't anything to do with those
people. I don't know who Max Lewis
is, but I don't believe that he had any
reason in the world for getting intro
duced to me except that he thought
I'd be nice to dance with"
"They were trying to find you," he
stubbornly persisted, "before somebody
else did; somebody they are afraid Of
or are trying to take advantage of;
an old man they spoke Of as C. j.
Do you know who he is?"
II haven't the remotest idea in the
world" There was no doubt she
meant that. Apparently the question
was a relief to her, for she added,
"Can't you see now it's all nonsense?"
"Sit still another minute anyhow
and listen to the rest Of it. Then per-
haps you won't think it's nonsense.
1T was the woman who seemed most
excited about you. She told Max It
was his job to find out where you
lived, tonight. She said 1t didn't mat
ter whether he took you home or fol-
lowed you home. She said that as
soon as they knew that, they'd have
C. J.-whoever he is-where they
wanted him. She said there wasn't
any time to waste because you might
see that ad in the paper any day and
answer it."
Shed snatched her hand away long
before he'd finished speaking. Now,
in furious evaporation, she cried,
"T-I-I! Why do you keep talking
about me? Why should I answer an
advertisement for Rhoda Mcfarland?
won't. I'll tell you that much, any
way. And I won't let Max Lewis take
me home, either, if that's any salts
faction to you."
SLOW will you keep him from fol-
lowing you homer"
He saw she flinched at that, and
added, LET me go with you now. We
can give them the slip. Why not?
Why won't your"
Because it's all nonsense" she said
weakly. Because want to stay and
dance"
"I'll tell you what I'll do" he said.
eff you won't let me take you home,
I'll follow you myself and see that he
doesn't"
She was angrier than he now, and
apparently colder. "Why are you so
anxious to find out where I live?" she
asked. Because you think I'm Rhoda
Mcfarland? And there must be
story about me if I'm advertised for
and you want to get it for the paper?
Is that the way reporters do?"
It didn't occur to him until quite a
bit later to wonder how she knew he
was a reporter. For the moment he
Just sat and stared at her, stupefied
at the gross injustice she had done
him. Before he could get himself to-
gether to controvert the monstrous
charge, he perceived the harmless, I'M
necessary Higgins standing before
them.
Rhoda saw him too and sprang to
her feet. do you want me to dance
this one with your" she asked him.
"Pd love to-"
Martin, boiling away inside like q
teakettle, followed them as far as the
edge of the dance floor and stood there
a while making up his mind what he
should do next. Not really that. per-
haps, he conceded afterward, so much
as tanning his perfectly righteous in
dignation and rather enjoying it.
Presently, though, his reflections
ceased to be even obviously enjoy
able. A chill misgiving blew over him
that Rhoda might be right after all.
Lewis, he noted, was dancing with
Babe Jennings with contented alb
sorption inexplicable under the n.y.
pothesis that his only interest tonight
lay in taking or following another girl
home. When Martin perceived this, he
turned away dis31stedly and went
home himself.