The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-12-23

you weren't too busy-it1A be nine
O'clock before you get the dishes done
and the bread set" Then, seeing that
Mary's face was still clouded, he add
ed, more pleasantly and very per-
suasiveIy, "Mary-you like me to have
a good time, once In q while, don't
your"
"'Of course LIDO. But"
'Then say you hope I'll have it, like
good girl"
He slipped his arm around her, rub
bling his head against hers, and kiss
ing her cheek. She smiled and re-
turned his kiss.
"All right, run along" she said
cheerfully. blanche, you can keep
Mr.. Starr amused, can't your"
"Of course she cam" said Philip
hastily. But he stood still. looking at
Mary with slightly puzzled express
sion. Was it possible that Paul--en-
gaged-he had the boys sisters word
for ito this wonderful creature, was
going to Wallacetown, wherever that
might be, to "show," his privilege
to do SO practically unquestioned, leav-
ing her to wash dishes and make
bread?
stead are simple. not to say primitive.
AS a rule. however, they work out sur
prisingly well. Seth, coming In after
dark from the barn. lighted the kitchen
lamp, and read the Wallacetown Bugle
and his farm paper. Then he took
off his shoes, and tiptoed up the stairs
to bed. Philip, going up to bed about
eleven, found Mary in his room, turn
ing down his bed.
Il say, Miss Manning may l speak
to you for a minute?"
"Of course" answered Mary, turn
ing to him with smile. "What is it?"
"Your cousin Blanche -she isn't en-
gagged, too. Is she?"
Mary flushed. "What makes you
say 'too'?" she asked quietly.
"Why-she told me about you and
her brother. / hope you won't think
I'm fresh If i tell you I consider him
awfully lucky"
s'It's that am lucky" returned
Mary slowly. "Paul's the dearest boy
in all the world, after you get to know
him. feel much older than he is.
though as matter of fact, we're al
most exactly the same age. But
we're not exactly engaged. We've a
sort of an understanding keeping
company it's called, here in Hamstead.
But--Paul isn't bound at all"
swell, / should think he'd want to
be-" said Philip with visible admira-
ton. ''But now. about his sister?
Has she got an understanding or any,
thing awkward like that with any
body?"
mo-" said Mary, smiling. 'She's
very young yet, you know-barely
seventeen. Why?"
Because" Philip burst out, "rve
fallen in love with her-heads over
HEELS OF course i haven't told her
so yet. But think she's the loveliest
the most exquisite-oh, the"
.Yes. know" said Mary. $50 you
WANT
I'm twenty-four years old, and I'm
fairly decent Sort" went on Philip,
plunging as usual straight to his point.
Il haven't any ancestral home like
this-in fact. one Of my ancestors
was an Irish immigrant, and all Of my
family were very plain people-there
weren't any town histories written
about themi But we've always been
honest, as far as ! know. and we've
prospered and risen In the world. I've
lots of friends. I've inherited some
money, and I'm earning more. I've got
a pretty good job, for my age I'm in
Davis and Hamlin's Office"
"Gale Hamlin, the architect?"
"Why. yes! Do you know him?"
Twelve met him. His niece,
Hannah Adams, was one of my class
mates at boarding school. used t.
visit her, sometimes, in Boston. So
you are in his Officer
EYES," said Philip excitedly. "What
tremendous luck He can tell you
about me-Blanche's mother and
brother, you know-and you, for that
matter! And you will help me all
you can with Blanche. won't your"
Mary picked up her lamp. II don't
believe you'll need an awful lot of
help with Blanche" she said, whim-
sically. But I'll say few things to
Cousin Violet that might make diff
ference. Good night"
you are good! And you don't
think I'm an awful chump going at
things this way?"
~ think you're rather NICE" said
Mary, still whimsically-''i you must
knowl"
She was closing the door gently be-
hind her. when Philip pulled it open
again.
MARY" he said, II may call you
Mary, mayn't tell me the supersti-
ton about Lady Blanche-about all
the Blanche Mannings."
WELL" said Mary. hesitating q lit
tie, "all the Blanches so far have
fallen in love at first sight. and mar
ried strangers-and gone away from