The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-03-03

"Bills?" echoed Philip. why, !
should think those were one of the
last things that need trouble you.
We've plenty of money to pay bills
for all the things we really need. You
silly child, hand them over"
She gathered the fiutterng sheets
on the desk and gave them to him.
Then, watching his face as he began
to glance through them, she suddenly
burst out, I'm sure I've tried to he
CAREFUL We have only one maid, in
stead of three or four, and an apart
ment instead of house, like almost
everyone we know. And really don't
spend anything on clothes compared
to the other young married women
I've met this winter. And we don't go
to the theater or entertain much or"
II know, darling. 1t does seem to
cost lot, just to live. didn't
realize how much, beforehand. But
after all, we had lovely trip and
we've been pretty comfortable and
happy in this little apartment And
l can take care of all these all right
But guess we shall have to go little
slow for while"
well, it's lucky we haven't had q
baby / don't know what you'd have
said about bills then! And yet you've
been perfectly crazy"
Something about Philips silence
halted Blanche. She decided that it
was wiser to change the subject.
Il had letter from Paul last night"
she said. II meant to speak of 1t be-.
fore. l guess he's rather fed up with
Lady Blanche farm, too. At any rate,
he wants to come to Boston for a
week or so and asks If 1t would be
convenient for us to have him here"
Philip hesitated. He felt that the
present state Of his finances could i'll
permit him to give his brother-in-law
the kind of a good time he would ex-
pect if he came to town. On the
other hand, he was curious to see if
the more favorable impressions which
he had gained of the boy at Christ
mas time would prove to be lasting.
"Of course. if Paul is coming to Bos-
ton. we must have him here" he said
pleasantly.
Paul appeared three days later. and
Philip, with his usual fairmindedness,
confessed to himself that the boy was
still more changed. and though differ
emily. it was certainly not for the
worse. He seemed much older. much
quieter. and decidedly preoccupied
"Yes, of course I'd enjoy going to
the theater,' he said trifle absently.
Thanks awfully. Or anything else
you've planned. First of all. though.
if you don't mind, I'd like to go and
see Mary. IL haven't heard from
her at all, except indirectly, since be-
fore went to New York. Do you
think she's had pleasant winter?"
why, she's had a wonderful time
She's packed these few months pretty
full, l can tell you! And | must say
she's great success. l don't believe
she'll turn her back on it all second
time in hurry! Mary is nice, there's
no denying that, and awfully clever,
too, and you'd never believe the differ
ence good-lOoling clothes have made
in her appearance"
"And she's had time to rest and
read" cut in Philip, (which l think
has meant more to her than almost
anything else. The first week she was
here she was In bed most of the
time. Then she began to go for a
daily ride and to pick up generally.
Mr.. Hamlin's pretty attentive to her."
pretty attentive" Blanche echoed
her husband. why. he follows her
like a shadow! Wasn't she queer not
to tell us that he was after her he
fore-and not to accept him? don't
see how she could have hesitated a
minute!"
I'm glad she's had good time"
was Paurs only comment at the end
of these and similar disclosures. Il
want to see her myself"
well, let's go to the theater to-
night, and you can go there tomorrow
afternoon"
There was an amusing farce running
at the Park Square theater and as the
curtain went down after the first act
and the lights came on, Blanche. wip-
ing the tears of merriment from her
eyes, gave Paul sudden nudge.
"Look!" she whispered, lin the first
box on the rightv'
Paul turned in the direction indi-
Gated. The box contained six persons
"a middle-aged man and woman, two
younger men. one of them in khaki,
and two girls. At the first glance,
that was all Paul realized Then it
came over him that the two older
persons were Mr. and Mrs. Adams one
Of the young men, Gale Hamlin, one of
the girls Hannah Adams and the other
the one in white brocade, with the
rose-colored velvet wrap flung over
the back of her chair and the big
bunch of orchids and lilies of the val
ley at her waist-was Mary Manning,
whom he had last seen wearing a red