The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-02-24
CHAPTER X--Continued


find the kitchen fire built and the tea
kettle. boiling when she came down
stairs in the morning, the wood box
filled, the furnace tended faithfully
day and night, the porches and paths
kept free from snow On Monday
mornings he appeared to empty wash
tubs and hang out clothes. At his in
stigation. Myra agreed to do all the
baking for both houses until things
got Strengthened out" Violet under
took the mending, and Jane actually
gave up meeting of the Foreign Mis-
sionary society to finish the weekly
sweeping. And when. in spite of all
this relief, Mary paid for her long
strain and quietly crumpled up in a,
heap on the floor one afternoon when
Algy was out of danger, and Sylvia's
grave was hidden with snow. Paul
picked her up and laid her on the
bed, loosening her dress and taking
off her shoes as he called for help.
Jane, fortunately. was in the house
and undressed her while he went
downstairs to telephone for Doctor
Wells and to get hot-water bottle
and hot stimulant ready. And when
he saw that it was her inability to
care for the boys that was worrying
her more than anything else. he turned
his attention mainly to them. 1t would
have been hard to discover anyone
more stupid and awkward in dealing
with a little child than Paul was, but
he did what he could He did better
than he realized and his reward was
greater than he expected The first
time that the children fell upon him.
almost simultaneously with hugs and
kisses. was when he came in with two
small wooden snow shovels-"to use
when Algy was outdoors again. in no
time now" AS he Rugged and kissed
them in return, his embarrassment
was equaled only by the inner glow of
contentment that permeated his being.
Mary, up again for the first time,
came in to find them thus occupied.
The inner glow of contentment
changed to a leaping flame as Paul
looked at her and saw the expression
of surprise and gratitude on her pale
face.
you're awfully good to those chill
dren," she said softly.
They're great kids. l never knew
before how much fun kid is. 1
thought they were horrid little
nuisances," returned Paul apologet-
ically.
Mary sat down beside him. blanche
and Philip are coming home for Christ
mas" she said. "Isn't that nice?
Cousin Violet has letter saying
they'll surely be here the twenty
fourth, and of course she's perfectly
delighted"
THAT is good news! Got any
more?'
Il don't know whether youll call it
good or not-but Austin Gray is going
to France. l think that's much the
best thing he can do, really. He says
It's only a matter of months now be-
fore the United States will be in the
war. too. He's going over as an am
bulance driver, but he says he can get
transferred to the real job later on
If we do. He was just here to see
you. | went downstairs for a minute
Just as he came in. but | didn't know
you were here, so he didn't wait. He
asked me to invite you to go to New
York with him, after Christmas. He'll
be there for fortnight, at least, max
ing final arrangements"
New York;"
Yes. Wouldn't you like to go?
thought you were crazy to get away
from Hamstead."
I'm not quite SO crazy as used
to be-"
mo. you're getting fairly sane !"
said Mary with little laugh that
made his heart leap. "and-just as
kind and thoughtful as you can be
But you ought to go. It'll be wonder
full for you! And Pm sure you'd be
comfort to Austin, too. He must think
so, or he wouldn't have asked Won.
Youth go, won't you. Paul?"
Yes, of course. Especially IL you
think I'd better. Mary, wait a min
ute" but she was gone.
After that, for the first time since
they had made up" Paul saw that
she was avoiding him again. The fact
gave him fresh food for thought. She
was willing to be his cousin. his friend.
his companion. She was grateful far
beyond his deserving for the little he
had been able to do to serve her. She
had forgiven him freely for all he had
done to hurt her. But more than that
she could not and would not do
and be.
Paul was now, for the first time in
his life, deeply in love, and perhaps
for that reason. daily going deeper
going deepest of all because he felt 1t
to be absolutely hopeless. Well, he
must hide it as best he could. That
startled look must not come into