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

ment, seemed to be walking towards
her up. to the side porch steps. A
voice said, "Good afternoon.
1t was mans voice, low and pleas
ant and ever so family amused. More
over. 1t was entirely unfamiliar. JAMIE
opened her eyes.
A young man was standing on the
top porch step holding his hat In his
hands. Her first impression was a
sleepy tumble Of broad tweed shout
ders, brown eyes, sunburn, nose that
was just a nose, a wide mouth, a
square sort of chin and a golden
brown necktie that looked expensive.
jamie jerked up from the cushions.
"This is Doctor Billiards. residence,
isn't it?" he asked.
jamie nodded.
as the doctor at homer"
"Not now" she answered, ''and
the Office door is around at the other
side"
I'm not a patient" He smiled down
at the small grave person in the ham,
mock. Her hair was tousled. Her
cheeks were flushed. She looked,
though she did not know 1t, very
sleepy and cross and just about twelve
years old. "I'm Hugh Kennedy" he
said, as though the name might serve
as a passport into any small persons
esteem.
1t did. jamie glanced with new in
terest at this smiling young man.
"Oh," she said. You're Fathers
legacy"
"You might call me that, I suppose"
He continued to smile. 1t crinkled his
eyes and made them friendly. jamie
approved of his eyes.
1--WE do" she confessed. "Just in
the family, of course"
II wrote Doctor Ballard. Doesn't
he expect me?"
"Father Is careless about letters"
jamie explained. Its probably In on
his Office desk under a book about
bones and a couple of bills from the
plumber. Sit down." she added, re-
membering her manners.
"Thank you" He settled himself
into a rocker beside the hammock.
Are you Doctor Billiards. little girl?"
"rm JAMIE" she answered, 'and al
most entirely grown up"
"How grown up? Older than twelve
and half?"
I'm Moral influence" she said to
impress this smiling young man. II
keep little boys from breaking win
dows and shooting craps. I'm the as
sistant director of the community play
ground"
Il beg your pardon" he apologized.
II thought you were child"
"People do" jamie sighed plain
lively. II had to produce birth GER
tificate before they would give me the
playground job even though I've lived
here all my life. And the policeman
down there is always getting me
mixed up with the urchins. 1t makes
life very difficult
He laughed at that. His teeth were
even and very white. Viewed singly,
as they emerged from the sleepy
tumble, his features were not unat-
tractive. His hair. jamie decided, just
escaped being red. His mouth quirked
humorously at the corners. He wasn't
exactly handsome but he looked like
somebody 1t would be pleasant to
know. She began to enjoy herself.
She was so seldom permitted to oc-
cupy the center Of the stage. Celia
saw to that. But Celia, thanks to dear
Aunt Rose, was safely out Of the way.
jamie became expansive.
Actually meeting you," she said,
ais like seeing the prince Of Wales or
Billy Sunday or You know, some
body you've. heard Of all your life
but never expected to behold with
your very own eyes. Father never
told US much, except that your father
had asked him to let you work here as
his assistant when you finished at the
hospital. And then later there was a
letter from lawyer in New York"
"It's legal all right" he said a
bit grimly. my sister Louise did her
best but it wasn't any use. She wept
over me as though l had been SEN
fenced to prison."
jamie bridled.
'New Kingston isn't as bad as that.
Or even Mulberry Square"
sim sure it isn't" He shrugged
his shoulders. Anyway, I'm here to
stay for year"
"Father needs somebody" jamie said
gravely. HE works too hard all the
time"
Hes splendid" Young Doctor Ken
nedy's voice sounded warm and sim
cere. HE came for Commencement
when graduated from JEFF. He and
my dad were classmates. you know.
Dad was pretty fine, too. He died
eight years ago. l never knew exactly
why he wanted me to come here ex-
cept that he admired Doctor Ballard
and always said he was credit to the
profession"
jamie fairly glowed. Praise for Fa-
Their made her feel happy inside. Her