The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-02

very amiable frame Of mind. She was
warm and weary. She wanted bath.
Celia would be dressing while every
one else worked like slaves. Even
Hugh. She saw him turning the
freezer in the shade Of the catalpa
nose. Dear Hugh. II Celia would
marry this Carter Shelby She
returned to the busting with new de-
| termination.
Celia, upstairs, was experiencing
moment or two of utter panic. She had
described it to Carter Shelby as
charming place, this shabby old-fash-
Toned house. She had made him see
her against background Of dim green
arbors, climbing roses, ancestral por-
traits and faithful family servants.
What would he think Of Rachel?
What would he think Of the Square?
She had let him suppose that they
were wealthy. 1t was easy and pleas
ant to create that impression, travel
ing with Great-aunt Rose. You said
she preferred a quiet hotel You
asked Great-aunt Rose to wear her
amethysts and her diamond-studded
| combs.
What would he think of it all?
| Celia mentally inspected the dining
room with its dingy paper and the
stains on the ceiling where the bath
room plumbing leaked through. Car
| ter was fastidious. She remembered
that he had noticed little things. She
liked him for it. But now. If only
she hadn't made it seem like picture.
| Mulberry Squared He had liked the
name She had talked about the foun-
She knew she was half way In love
with him. He was so good-looking,
his ardent dark eyes, his wavy dark
hair, his charmlngly graceful man.
ners She hadn't been quite sure Of
| him. In spite of the letters, she wasn't
quite sure of him now. She wanted
him to take her away from this dreary
old Square. Celia and Carter. They
were handsome together Mrs.
Carter Shelby. Oh, yes, the Charles
tor Shelbys. Lovely little thing" i.
What should she wear? Celia, in
peach-tinted lingerie, fiuttered dis
tractedly around the room. The white
tulle? That was too formal. The
primrose chiffon? The lilac organdy?
| That was becoming.
She slipped it on. AS her head and
throat emerged from the lilac cloud,
she smiled again. Did it matter, after
all, that the house was shabby and
needed repairs?
"You pretty thing" she whispered
to the dreaming girl in the mirror.
Hugh was standing beside the newell
post as Celia walked down the stairs.
| She saw in his eyes a tribute to her
beauty. He was much less attractive
than Carter Shelby, she thought. But
| he admired her.
"Thank you for helping, Hugh"
| She let her hand rest for a moment
on his arm.
jamie came out from the living
room. She looked sulky and cross and
| disheveled. Funny little brown girl
1t was a shame that jamie was so
| plain.
Hurry and dress, dear" Celia
smiled at her grave little sister.
The dining room looked better than
she had expected with the pink and
lavender cosmos and the tall pale can
dies. Celia lowered the shades. There
Upstairs she heard water running and
Mother calling to Father. They were
good to her. She would make it up
to them when she had great deal of
money. 1t was her duty to marry
well. She alone could rescue them all
from this tawdry old Square.
Mother came downstairs, patting
herself into place. Father presently
| followed, jamie, Hugh. The long hand
of the clock moved to half-past six.
shouldn't he be here, darling?"
Mother asked anxiously.
I "He didn't say any definite time"
"Coming by train?" Father was
hungry and wanted his supper.
Hes driving"
"Tm starved" jamie said with a
patient sigh.
Hugh picked out notes on the piano
and looked at Celia in her lilac or
CANDY frock. Celia listened for the
door-bell and pleated the edge of her
handkerchief.
The bell rang. All eyes turned to
Celia.
"You go, Rachel" she said.
Rachel returned with a telegram.
go you, Miss Celia"
Celia ripped it open, pulled out
the yellow sheet. She read 1t through
and crumpled it in her hand.
"He isn't coming!" she cried in a
passion of anger and disappointment.
"Never mind, darling" Mothers
face paled. "It's all right" Mother
was soothing Celia with soft little
hushing sounds. "Don't fret"