The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-12-01
CHAPTER v-Continued

= - OCSbCA 81 Az oeAA0s
swat half second" Sniff halted
him. LET me think how / can best
arrange things. live at the Badmin-
ton at -th and Madison avenue. We
wouldn't be interrupted there. won
der If it would be possible for you to
come to see me this EVENING" As
friend. mean"
tombstone Nesbit looked at her as
1f he could not believe his ears.
"A-as a--as a friend?" he STAN
mered. "But-but you're Virginian."
Certainly / am" Sniff nodded
s'What has that to do with it?'
HAS nobody told you that I'm no
gentleman?"
"Sure." said Smif, who had expected
the question. you've told me SO your
self several times, and I'm amazed at
the Importance you seem to attach to
the word.n
Nesbit went over and picked up his
hat and coat. Then he turned a happy
face to her.
"You really mean it?" he asked anx-
1ously. II may come there-as a.
friend?"
certainly mean It," Sniff said
sturdily. "You must ask for Miss
Lovely. You know am not Madame
Saitou there. The place is the Bad
minton. You won't forget?"
"Forget? Not chance in the world.
Why, I'm coming there as friend"
He was gone on the echo Of the last
word and Sniff was left in a curious
state OF. mind. Interest, puzzlement,
pity; all were mingled. She would
have liked to sit down and devote her.
self to this case to the exclusion of all
others. OF a sudden, tombstone Mes
bit outweighed everything, which was
easily explained since he came to her
from Lovelylea. A place, by the way,
which he had said he proposed to buy.
She stiffened at that memory. She
was going to buy Lovelylea herself.
No one in the world, however pathetic,
could be allowed to come between her
and the home Of her ancestors.
It was obvious to her, now, that
Miss Mercedes must own Rockmoss,
the old Stuart plantation. II Mr.. Mes
bit were fond Of that country the best
thing for him to do was to marry her
(suitably reduced) and live there.
This held out happy solution of sew
eral difficulties and she decided it was
the conclusion she must work for
since, married to Mercy, no one would
be allowed to be lonely.
With her thoughts still whIrling
ehaotically around Lovelylea, It's ten
ant and his neighbor, Smif forced her
self to abandon her profitless specula-
lions and resume the business Of the
day.
The trouble of Susan's friend was
disposed Of quickly. 1t boiled down to
Q query as to what should be done
when ones son and the wrong girl fell
in love. Sniff suggested plan Of &C
ton 80 simple that there was no risk
of antagonizing the boy, and the anx-
t0us mother went away comforted, &C.
companied by beaming Susan, very
proud Of her resourceful protegee.
Somehow the other business engage
ments Of the day were gone through
with credit, including the visit to Doc
ton Blanton.
At Pierre's she found that Laura
had added herself to the party, for
which Lucy, with her usual efficiency.
had secured a table in the quietest
corner. No gaiety emanated from it.
"Glad you didn't wait for me-" Sniff
said, as she seated herself in the va
cant chair. i've had a terribly busy
day and I'm afraid I'm a little late.
Tea and lemon for me. No sugar and
no cinnamon toast. Nothing else
either. I'm going to reduce. More
over, I'm going to be paid for do
ing It."
None Of them appeared to relish
her account of Miss Mercedes pre-
cautionary measure, although she told
of 1t with a full appreciation of its
amusing aspect; and when one or
two other good stories fell fiat Sniff
decided to face the issue and open
hostilities herself. She lifted her cup
and when she set 1t down empty, shot
q swift glance around the circle. 81
don't appear to be your favorlte enter
tainer this afternoon" she remarked.
Suppose one Of you others try to
tighten the gloom"
'sYou're the only one who can do
that, Smif dear. by giving up this dan
gerous business" Louise reached out
and pressed Smif's hand, $50 far as
I'm concerned. I'm only thinking of
you. darling; but can't shut my eyes
to the risks you are running, with all
sorts Of people free to rush In upon
you"
sMen like that creature with the
emeralds going in and out of the build
ing" Laura said. II told the girls
about him."
@As dangerous as the Head-Hunters
of Borneo," Louise murmured dis
tractedly.
Sniff grinned. but not having heard
Of the Head-Hunters before from
Louise, ignored them as irrelevant.
~You don't get a certificate OF char