The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-10-12
CHAPTER Iv-Continued


storeroom SHELF" she said aloud.
"Come on, I'll put you there" She
lifted the tray. "Ooch, but you weigh
a toni Am 1 one good little back-to-
the-lander" as she started toward the
cellar door. "a squirrel storing nuts
for the winter has nothing on"
A thunderous knock resounded
through the house. Prudence took
quick step forward A frightened cat
reached the same spot in one leap.
The girl tripped, the tray tipped, the
Jars of beets struck the floor with a
crash calculated to make the pilot Of
the last word In bombing planes pale
with envy.
Ruby liquid flew in all directions.
It dripped from walls and ceiling; 1t
splashed the white frock; 1t trickled
in crimson rivulets down Prue's cheeks;
1t did modernistic design on her shoes
and lavishly polka dotted her bare arms.
For an instant she stood in daZed con-
sternation, then as she saw her face
reflected in a small mirror, she
laughed.
"Oh, you demon can-can" The
words choked into spasm of mirth.
She sank to chair, dropped her
head to her arms flung out on the
table, and tried to control the peals
Of laughter which shook her. A hand
caught her shoulder.
"Hey! What's happened? Quit
laughing like that! You'll go goofy
In a minute"
Lips twitching, nostrils quivering,
eyes cleaning through tears, Pru-
dence looked up at Rodney Gerard.
"C-canning trouble!" She choked
on the words.
Gerard administered an authorita-
tive shake.
"Stop laughing. It's painfully evil
dent that you are toppling on the
brink of Mysteries. know of only one
sure remedy for that. should hate
to do it-but may feel obliged to
kiss you"
Prudence was on her feet "Just
naturally helpful, aren't you? You
wouldn't dare" She met his eyes
and changed her tone. "Tll stop, Sig
nor Mussolini. Only you could stand
there like craven image in the
midst of this-this slaughter. You
see, I've gone thrifty. I've been pre-
pairing for the l-long hard winter by
canning young, tender beets-no t-taste
to them when they g-grow up. l was
carrying the Jars on tray when a
scurrying to cover-Cleopatra's the
cat, in case you don't know-with the
result of f-foot-on collision L"
"Stop and get your breath. Hys-
terics will get you if you don't watch
out" The hint of amused warning
in Gerard's voice set Prue's pulses
throbbing.
''They won't. l shan't need your
prescription, thank you. Why are
you here? 1t would be you, wouldn't
it? What did you come for? My
word! believe 1t was your knock
that brought on the catastrophe. Are
you responsible for this mess?" She
indicated the smeared room with an
accusing wave of her hand.
SIN sorry. Can't help clean up?"
"You can not Macky will be down
in a few minutes, then we'll do 1t
together. You'd better go while the
going is good. Why did you come?
haven't time to talk even lumber bust
ness in the morning. I'm working
girl. wish you'd CO."
Even as Prudence frowned at him,
she was thinking how Fate conspired
to block her. After Jeans intimation
that she was setting her cap for him,
she had sworn to herself that she
would chill Rodney Gerard to the bone
the next time he spoke to her; instead,
here she was hysterical with laughter,
friendly laughter. One couldn't be i'm
pressively dignified when one resem-
bled nothing so much as an example
Of spatter-work done in beet juice.
Hands in his coat pockets, Gerard
strobe to the door, turned at the thres-
hold.
"Stop scowling. I'm going. Hos.
pitable, aren't you? I came to, ask If
you would have time to make silver
collar for that kitten of jeans she's
so crazy about"
"a silver collar! I'd love It'll I've
had an idea for one in my mind for
months I'll make timel Come on to
the shop-rve turned Uncle Austin's
Office into workroom-and I'll show
you sketch made before became
a farmer"
She had not realized how she loved
and had missed her craft, Prudence
told herself, as she led the way to a
room which opened from the front
hall.
1T won't take me jiffy to find that
sketch" She flung the assurance over
her shoulder at Gerard. She pulled
open one Of the doors Of the bookcase.
A pile Of papers showered to the floor
''Darnl Wouldn't you know 1t when