The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-02-10
CHAPTER vIII--Continued


loneliness and boredom, he decided to
go to Mary and ask to be reinstated
in her favor. This seemed easy
enough when he first thought of it, but
the more he reflected, the more he saw
that it might be rather difficult. He
had treated Mary somewhat shabbily,
he admitted. She was having very
good time without him-he was forced
to admit that too-and there was real
ly no special reason why she should
ever crave his society. He started on
his errand of reconciliation several
times. only to turn back, feeling that
his stomach was caving in uncomfort-
ably for some reason, and that it
might be better to wait few
days longer. At last having spent
a Saturday evening at home when
every one else under thirty in
town had gone off on a picnic, return
ing In the highest spirits at midnight
Mary was with the Grays and laugh
ing and singing when they dropped
her at the front door-he took his
courage, what there was of it. in his
hands, and sought her out. He found
her, late that Sunday afternoon in
Indian summer, sitting In the fragrant
orchard reading book, rather solid
looking book. She was, Paul thought,
looking unusually fresh and contented
and attractive.
"Hullo," he said, advancing towards
her firmly, though inwardly quaking.
'Hullo.' said Mary quietly. without
looking up.
Paups heart gave queer exhibition
of acrobatic powers, as if it were turn
ing somersaults all the way from his
throat to his stomach. and then began
to thump-to thump so vigorously that
he feared it might be audible. He
was pleased. and he was beyond all
reasonable measure excited.
"Have good time last night?" he
inquired carelessly.
Eyes. Did you?"
Paul choked, and fumbled with his
tie. He could not understand why
Mary should ask such tactless ques-
ton, when she knew perfectly we'll
He decided to be magnanimous, and
ignore it.
''What are you reading?" he asked
"'The Life of Charles Francis
Adams"
do you like it?"
"Very much. Haven't you read it?"
Another tactless question: Mary's
voice expressed only. polite surprise,
yet she was aware that he never read
things of that sort. The top of Paul's
collar was rapidly sinking to the level
of his collar button. Mary went on
reading.
II thought I'd come over for a little
WHILE" he murmured desperately.
Mary turned a page.
"Nice day, isn't it?"
sLovely."
swarm for the time of the year,
too"
And likely to grow warmer any
minute" replied Mary, her eyes still
on her book.
Paul could feel even the back of his
neck growing red. Still he persisted.
blanche Is back in Brookline.
Mother had letter from her last
night. She's thinking of leaving me
and going down to pay her a little
visit"
Il should think it would be very
pleasant change for her."
Something in Mary's tone made Paul
look at her more carefully. The pain
full flush at the back of his neck
spread all over him. He could feel
the cold perspiration dropping down
his spine. There was no possible
doubt of it-Mary was laughingl
Paul turned his back on her and
strobe away. Though unfamiliar with
the quotation. he had. in substance,
pictured Mary sitting like patience on
a monument smiling down at grief.
Apparently she was doing nothing of
the sort. She missed him so little and
was getting along so well without him,
that when he went to her and tried