The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-12-08

are all L. Lovelys, as tradition and
superstition In our family ordain."
II don't know about your sisters. I
do know it's exactly like you" Stone
made the assertion positively. "Y0u
laughed at me when said 80 before.
Now, IL you've looking glass handy,
go and look for yourself"
Smif got up obediently and went
to the mirror Of the overmantel. Care
full comparison convinced her Of the
truth Of his assertion, amazing as it
seemed to her. The original Of the
portrait had not been SO heavy as she.
but 1t was the picture Of young
woman Of fine presence and poise.
Dignity was there and sense Of
race. Anyone might be proud to re-
semble such lady.
"Don't you want to know who she
Isl" Stone inquired.
Smif stared at him I'm surprise.
"But I do know" she asserted. 1.-THE
costume gave that away. She's your
grandmother-your great-grandmother,
/ mean"
'Yes," Stone nodded. ''That's who
It is. Have you guessed her name,
too?"
"You don't mean--you can't mean"
Sniff suffered.
"Her name was Lorraine Lovely"
'The plot Of this story" said Sniff
after a perceptible pause, sis becoming
too complicated for my simple mind
to fathom. Do you want me to believe
that this handsome creature is one of
our Lovely ladies Of Lovelylea?"
"Sure enough, found her on the
family tree that hangs in the little
room at the right Of the back door.
can show her to you," Stone asserted.
"My mother was named after her.
She was her grandmother. you know"
''Then we're cousins. welcome
to the family, Cousin Stone"
Instead Of the swift response she
expected Stones face darkened again.
"I'm afraid it's rather distant, and
at any rate you won't claim me when
you've heard the rest of my story"
"Nonsense!" Smif spoke robustly.
TN Virginia, once a cousin, always
cousin. refuse to be repudiated.
I'm your Cousin Smif. It's a silly
name, but it's the only one / answer
to. don't fancy Matilda. It sounds
too meek"
Could 1t be possible that she saw
smile twitch at the corners Of Stones
mouth? If so, It was gone IN an
instant. He spoke promptly:
"I'm to understand that meekness is
not your outstanding characterised
That's such surprise and disappoint-
ment, Smif."
The production Of the miniature had
been climax and it was with some
thing Of an effort that Stone resumed
his narrative. Knowing himself pos
sessed Of strain of Lovely blood,
when he heard that Lovelylea was In
the market for rent he had taken it
without a moments hesitation. He
had, he felt, an interest in the welfare
of the plantation that another tenant
would not bring to It. And It meant
something to him that no other place
could. In a measure. he, who had
never had home, was now anticipat-
ing going home.
he was, at the time, only eighteen.
He was very sad, very lonely, very
alone, and II must be borne in mind
that he was almost incredibly ignorant
of the living conditions in America in
general and In Virginia In particular.
All he had to live on were his men,
cries Of Dad and his mothers oft re-
peated words, Americans are the best,
the bravest. the kindest people In the
whole world"
"There's snapshot Of you at Lovely.
lea." Stone told her. "In fact there
are lots Of snapshots and other things
I'm surprised you left behind. It was
In the lonely years after was settled
at Lovelylea that made a study Of
the family. -. But I'm afraid It's
growing late and I've lot to tell you
yet"
II don't understand" Smif wrlnkled
her brow, 'why were you lonelyf vir-
ginia is the most hospitable place In
the world"
"Not to me-" Stone interposed, his
face set In its grimmest line. mot to
me. Listen: Having nothing else to
cling to. held tight to the plans Dad
and I had worked out together. Until
everything was ready. 1 did not go
near Lovelylea. Don't forget that my
going there was the fulfillment Of a
lifelong wish. At last was to be with
real Americans Of pure stock. Those
my mother had called among other
things the 'kindest' people In the
world. I'd learned something of both
hunting and racing in England, and
I'd imported a pack of English fox
hounds and established them at Love-
iyiea. One Of the first things I did
there was to begin to 60 out with
them once a week."