The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-23

NOe@Nssg
Jagged.
Lets drive out the pond road
little way, JEAN"
Prue's thoughts wandered. Why had
Dave decided to stay at High Ledgesa
1t would make it awkward for her. OF
course, she would want to see Dave
daily; equally, Of course, dlstrusting
Rodney Gerard as she did, she couldn't
go to High Lodges.
Rodney She had wondered If Gallo
way had forged that letter about the
check. After jeans revelation about
the photograph she had found in her
uncle's desk, how could she doubt any
more? Walter Gerard had been right,
the unfinished word was love, of
course. "Flitting from flower to flow
err! Mrs. Walt had been right, too.
her brother-in-law was unreliable. He
was the type of man Julie had mar
ried.
She must put the Gerards out of her
mind. They were becoming an obses-
sion. Her own affairs needed all her
attention. Who had stolen the jewels?
The escaped convict? She did not be-
lieve it any more than she believed
that Walter Gerard was the thief.
Here comes Mr.. Galloway in that
snappy red car Of his"
jeans excited whisper set Prue's
pulses quickstepping Galloway on his
way to the village! How soon was the
train due? She pushed back her glove.
Maddening. She had forgotten her
wrist watch. Jim Armstrong had said:
II wish Galloway might be provi-
dentially called out of town an hour or
so before that train arrives"
Evidently Providence was busy else
where. Could she stop him? "Suc-
cess was in line with the pasture bars
from which a path-now a mere
shadow under the snow-led uphill to
the southerly boundary Of her prop
erty, The Hundreds. That gave her
an idea. She would ask him to show
her the trees he wanted to cut. 1t
would be adventure with a capital A
to lead him off the scent, and she
loved adventure. She gripped Jeans
arm.
"Stop a minute! Drive the car
home, K. K. Don't go to the village.
At the crossroads take the turn to the
right; that will bring you to the back
of the red brick house."
whats the big idea?"
"I'll ask Len Galloway to show me
where he wants to cut. If he con-
sents, I will keep him away from the
village until the new gang is at High
Lodges.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Galloway"
Prudence acknowledged the sweep of
the dark-eyed mans ten-gallon hat
with gay friendliness. "This is a clear
case Of thought transference. sup
pose seeing that path to The Hun
dreds brought you to my mind. hate
quarreling with my neighbors, it's so
so tremendously. Can't we arbi-
trate? Perhaps when you have time
you'll tramp over the land with me
and show me what to cut-but I'm
OBTAINING you. Drive on, JEAN"
"Just a minute!" Calloway's near
set eyes were triumphant. whats
the matter with now, Miss Schuyler?
Ny business at the village can wait.
What say If we take that tramp now?
This snow won't amount to much"
Prudence smiled the most radiant
smile in her not limited repertoire.
I'm all for it, If you are, Mr.. Gallo
way. I'm the original 'Do-it-now' girl"
She looked intently at Jean. "Wait
here, won't you, K. K. L"
"Don't have the kid wait. I'll take
YOU home, Miss Schuyler"
"That would help. Drive very care
fully, Jean, and straight home, remem-
Der. Tell Miss Mack that Mr.. Gallo
way is personally conducting me over
The Hundreds. Go out to the barn
and tell Mr.. 81. He and were plan
ming to set an incubator this after
noon, but that can wait" Having
posted which two sentinels on the
ramparts of protection, she stepped
over the bars that Galloway lowered.
Why didn't the man speak? He was
leading the way along the snowy path.
Woods stretched endlessly ahead,
dense, dark, dismal. She didn't for an
instant doubt Calloway's responsibility,
but she had a shivery sense Of re-
pressed fury smoldering under his
urbanity.
"Here we are!" Galloway stopped
to brush the snow from the top Of a
granite boulder. "See that B cut in the
stone? 1t marks the southeastern cor
ner of the tract your uncle purchased
from my father. Here's a trail.
Well go in little way SO that you
can see the quality of the timber"
"All sweetness and light again, aren't
your" Prudence mentally addressed his
straight back as she followed him. he
paused and turned.
Sorry to have made trouble for you
about your timber, Miss Schuyler, but
when say I'll put thing through. ]
do it, no matter what the consequences
may be to anyone else"
Prudence looked up at him. Visit
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