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

on, a trifie incoherently. "rm afraid
she wouldn't make them happy-rm
afraid she doesn't really understand
bulldogs. When you're married, you'd
better give them to me, Stone"
"And how about making me happy?"
Stone demanded. 81 keep asking you
that. Isn't that worthy Of considera-
tion?"
OF sudden Smif doubted the au-
thenticity Of his news.
II don't believe you're engaged to
Mercy at ALL" she said, trying to con-
ceal the relief the thought gave her.
II don't believe you have the nerve to
propose to her. When the time comes
I'll probably have to do it for you.
You'd be afraid"
"Of course I'd be afraid-afraid
she'd accept me. Looking on it as her
last chance, perhaps, while you've
been banting she's been stufing her
self. Indulging in a perfect orgy of
rich food. Wait till you see herp'
''Wait till she sees mel prophesy
that she'll rush to the telephone and
make an immediate appointment with
Doctor Blanton. And when he has
brought her back to her former love
illness you'll sing different tune"
.Indeed?" Stone stared at her curl
ously. SIN interested to know what
makes you so certain of that? At her
best. l wasn't stuck on Mercy. Why
should you both be so sure I will be
now?"
Sniff stared back at him, her mouth
slightly open, her whole expression
that of one transfixed by amazement.
Why indeed?
"But you said" she began weakly.
II said I hated fat people. Well,
so I do. But I'm not of so loving a
disposition that love everybody who
happens to be thin. And for all Of me,
Mercy will die an old maid, fat or
thin"
"That certainly complexities mat
ters," Sniff admitted.
She had surprised herself by her
sudden revulsion Of feeling at the sug-
gestion Of his engagement to Mercy.
since 1t would be so convenient an ar
rangement. It occurred to her that
1t was not so much that she objected
to the marriage as that she objected
to his succumbing voluntarily.
Arrived at the Badminton, she said
good-by to the dogs while Stone asked
If he could take her out to dinner
somewhere.
"You forget that / no longer eat"
she said with a smile.
MAY come to see you after dinner
then? Have heart, Sniff. I've got to
go somewhere to escape Mercy. She'll
be dropping in to see my sweet little
bachelor apartment as sure as fate"
For a moment Smif hesitated.
"Come, of course" she said. "Only
Doctor Blanton will be here and
don't know whether you will like him
or not"
doctor Blanton will be here? You
mean upstairs, In your own living
room?"
Certainly" Smif returned. sur
pIloCQ. why AOLt PACACA W SOO LILY
friends in my own quarters"
'Unless he comes as your doctor, 1
don't think you should receive him In
your private rooms"
Sniff stamped her foot.
"Stone, how can you be so ridicu-
lous? Don't I receive you there?"
eyes," Stone admitted with porten-
tous gravity. "Yes, you do. And that
is entirely different. Plainly, this
mans in love with you, while I'm only
your cousin"
Unable to find words to fit the case,
Sniff whirled and left him standing on
the pavement.
Miss Mercedes paid the second in
stalment of the ten thousand dollars
with secret unwillingness and outward
alacrity. There was no excuse for her
to evade the payment, as she was gen.
timely impressed with the change In
Smif's figure.
"The woman actually appeared to
be passably good looking" she said to
Stone. probably it was In contrast
to her previous weight. Now II this
doctor will only do as much for me-
The magnifcence Of the result expect
ed evidently baffled description.
AS an unwilling martyr, she sub
mitted to Doctor Blanton's examina-
ton and was aghast at his advice and
prognosis, he being of the opinion that
kindness was wasted on women of her
type.
Certainly l reduced Madame Sal
tou," he said. "She was an obedient
and accomplishing patient. She had
the nerve to stick to her regime under
all temptation. You won't have; but
warn you I'll find out and If you lie
to me about 1t, I'll not only charge
you double but I'll probably refuse to
bother myself any more about you"
Bullying was good for Miss Mer-