The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-12-22

cedes' soul. She became humble under
it and said everything she could to
convince Doctor Blanton of her forti-
tude and rectitude.
Smif was growing more and more
discontinued with her business. She
was constantly busy and almost as
constantly bored. The monetary re-
turn was all that she had pictured it
In her most sanguine moments, but the
human interest was lacking.
II might as well be trained nurse,
specializing in the care of the feeble
minded, for all the fun get out Of it."
she groaned, as she went to answer
call on the telephone. 81 can't take
imaginary ills seriously"
Some time before, Pamela Phelps
had taken up miniature painting. Set
tied at the Manor for the summer
months, she still came to town for les
sons. It was she now, who was on
the phone, speaking from distance
and in evident agitation.
I'm on my way to town. Don't go
out till get there. must see you.
Promise me you won't go out. And,
oh, Smif, try to see me at once. My
nerves are all shot,"
"What is the matter?" Sniff asked
sharply. "Of course I'll see you-but
what's wrongY
The phone was dead. Instantly on
receiving her promise Pam had
hung up.
When the girl arrived, looking white
and strained. her hair struggling out
from beneath her smart hat, the first
thing Sniff asked was:
"Tell me-have you killed anyone?"
"No," Pam answered. II wish / had.
only slapped the FOOLS face. Like an
angel, give me cigarette while pull
myself together. I've driven in so fast
everythings still moving, and it's one
of the worlds wonders why I wasn't
given whole bunch Of tickets"
Lets have it, Pam. I doubt II it's
as bad as you think it Is" Smif sug-
gested gently.
Pam drew deep and audible breath.
"Tm being blackmailed," she said sue.
cinctly.
That was something she had not
expected. yet Sniff never WINGED.
what form has the blackmail taken?"
she inquired.
"a demand for two hundred thou.
sand dollars" Pam answered. (which.
of course. not being of age, I haven't
got"
"Give me all the details. Pam, and
don't look so desperate"
II feel desperate" the girl said with
painful gulp. II feel soiled, as If I'd
really done something disgraceful the
moment my mothers back was turned.
But honestly. I've done nothing, Smif."
"You don't have to tell me that"
Sniff replied, 'don't / know you?"
At this the girl began to cry, child
ish tears of relaxed tension.
you're brick, Smif. might have
known you'd stand by me, you are al
ways such a rock to lean on" She
wiped her eyes determinedly and sat
forward in her chair. "Now listen"
she said. 'I'll try to tell you every
thing exactly as 1t happened, and
you'll be able to see If I'm to blame
in any way. I'd been looking around
| for something to do. / can draw a
little, and Cousin Garcia suggested
that / might be able to do miniatures,
copying from photographs, you under
stand. Mother then remarked that
she would love to have good copy
of miniature Of one of the Phelps an
| cestors. Father has the original. I
was feeling pretty mushy about mother
because she had consented to let me
stay at home, and I determined to
copy it for her, and. If / didn't sue
coed, I'd have some one else do it as
a surprise, understand?
II wanted to take some lessons,
! thinking that teacher would be able
to correct my drawing, keep me up to
the mark generally and solve the diff
culties was bound. to have with a
medium that was new to me. Cousin
Garcia, 1t turned out, had heard of
exactly the right person. This was a
Monsieur Mabeuse, Belgian refugee
who had first gone to England with
his old mother. When she died, he
came here and, not having the right
introductions, had not been very sue
cessful. Also, he had married. had
sweet little wife and three babies.
These. expenses had made 1t necessary
for him to give lessons, although nat
urally he was nothing short of a
genius and Cousin Garcia appeared to
consiuer 1t great condescension on
his part"
"Cousin Garcia seems to play quite
part in this tale" Sniff remarked
dryly.
Pamela colored. cit would be ter
rible to suspect her." she said trem-
blingly. "She's my own cousin. Any