The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-01-05

Before she has a chance to get Eat
again. They sometimes do, you know"
"Tm going to buy Lovelylea and set
tie there" Sniff tried the effect Of
pitching her voice in its deepest con-
tralto but there was no result.
"She might even pick up a really
desirable title in England, looking
as she does at present." Lucy went on.
Laura signaled appreciation Of this
suggestion.
1.-THE Leisters have a charming
place and are In very smart set But
every one claims to be poor. Simply
a state Of mind to be sure, but as fatal
as IL they were poverty-stricken."
"If she married an Englishman,
she'd have to live there and she'd need
some sort Of fortune" Louise was
interrupted by Lucy, to whom this had
suggested new train Of thought.
"How much have you made since
you started this business. Sniff"
| Sniff threw her bomb.
II have made enough to buy Love
lylea, which am about to proceed to
do" she said very distinctly.
Laura was the first to recover her
presence Of mind.
Nonsense, dearest. We might have
consented to that last year. Now It's
out Of the question. It's high time you
settled down"
"And there's nobody in Virginia for
anyone to marry" Louise began. As
usual, she got no farther than a be-
I ginning.
Laura spoke briskly. II don't OBJ
ject to her going to Virginia for q
short visit"
I'm going to Lovelylea to live and
| de-" Sniff declared.
SLOW can you say anything so
frightfulY' Louise was near to tears.
"Of course it's better than Borneo and
the Head-Hunters but why should you
want to die"
II don't want to die. I'd be willing
| to live thousand years-in Virginia"
Smif assured her.
Lucy's mathematical mind was mean
| while busy with the problem Of
Madame Saitou's finances. She knew
nothing Of the fee from Martha WASH
ington Mercedes nor would she ever
learn that Charles and Susan Phelps
had finally persuaded Sniff to accept
generous portion of what she had
saved them when she had succeeded
in destroying all chance of an aliena-
tion suit against Pam. 1t had sudden
ly flashed over Mrs. Stannard that
here was veritable gold mine-and
she was not one to stand by indiffer-
ent while it passed from the grasp Of
the family.
"You mean you are going to retire?
To give up your business absolutely"
she asked with unconcealed eagerness.
Smif nodded her head emphatically.
"I'm going to virginia--to live" she
added, with reassuring smile at
Louise.
"And you aren't selling out?"
Neither Doctor Blanton nor know
Of anyone competent to act as my
| successor"
'Then l shall take over the con-
cern,' Lucy stated firmly.
Smif was aghast. TO her mind,
Lucy had none of the qualifications
essential to success in a majority Of
her cases. Sympathy--when had Lucy
ever shown any sympathy for weak
ness? Then her face cleared as she
thought Of Doctor Stannard.
"Does my memory play me false, or
do remember time when I was
urged to give up my disgraceful prof.
ect to spare Cyril's ethical con-
scienceY she asked with small grin.
Lucy was ready with her reply.
| "You have shown us that such q
business can be conducted in a digni-
fed manner, and naturally I don't In
tend to devote all Of my time to 1t. I
shall engage capable assistant, even
If have to pay high salary"
Plainly Lucy would hear and heed
only what she wished. Short Of an
absolute refusal Of consent to allow
her to succeed to the business, diplo-
matte handling of the situation would
be necessary If she was to be dis
suaded from carrying out her plan.
Madame Saitouuis too well known
personally for another person to take
over the name. Already I have re-
fused large sum for the use Of It."
This was bound to be unwelcone news
| to Lucy who had hoped to acquire
gratis all the prestige attached to
| Smifs enterprise. Moreover, even
the premises must be vacated. Madame
Georgette is on her feet again and Will
need my rooms"
Eat all events" said Laura revert
ing to subject of more interest TO
| her than Lucy's sudden attack Of bust
ness ambition, promise me just one
thing. You won't be in a hurry to
make an irreyocable decision? Go to
Virginia as you planned and see the
| place. IN all probability the tenant
has ruined it."
Il can't promise" smif told her.