The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-04-13

year. He had learned tolerance and
sympathy. People liked him. He no
longer was Fathers young DOCTOR"
He was doctor Kennedy" now, and
"the young Doc" and Doctor Hugh"
Why couldn't Celia be satisfied to
stay with Hugh in the Square? It
would be lovely to travel, Of course,
and live in the city and have interest
ing people for friends. It would be
lovely, too, with Hugh, right here in
the Square. jamie thought she
wouldn't mind living In the old brick
house for the rest of her life II Hugh
loved her and Father was home and
they all were happy together.
Had Celia gone to see Carter Shell
by? Did she know that Aunt Lucy
and Muriel were away? Why must
Celia do things like that? Why
couldn't she always be sweet as she
had been that night when they lay
curled together in Mothers bed, as
she had been just after Father was
hurt? She hadn't remembered very
long her promise to jamie that night.
4
blame because that made her to blame
as well. She asked jamie not to talk
about 1t, please, because 1t hurt her
too much.
Was Celia ever really hurt? She
was irritated by little things. like hav-
ing to economic and wear last sea-
sons clothes. She was capable Of be-
/ In D,,k ~
so that her heart was nothing at all
but an ache? jamie remembered what
Father had said that day on the White
Marsh creek . "If you couldn't
feel very unhappy, you could never
feel very happy" It made you
feel sorry for Celia. Poor Celia! jamie
sighed.
"What was that for?" Hugh asked.
"What?"
"That enormous sigh"
II was thinking" she said.
$50 was l." He drew her to bench
where the light sifted down from Q
lamp-post globe through the foliage Of
the trees. you're a dear little girl,
JAMIE Ballard"
Her heart beat swiftly. There was
something in his voice
"You didn't want me to see the adj
dress that Celia dropped from her
bag" he continued. "Why? Were you
defending Cellar"
She hadn't thought of defending
Celia.
II didn't want you to be hurt" she
confessed.
II wondered If that was it. You're
fond Of me, aren't you, Janie?"
Fond Of him? She felt as though
all of her was washing away from the
bench. But Hugh mustn't know. It
wasn't his fault. She had done 1t her.
self. Without any encouragement she
had fallen In love with Hugh.
"Uh huh." She gravely nodded her
head.
"And I'm fond of you, little fellow"
His arm curved around her. Beneath
her cheek she felt the roughness Of
his coat.
you're lovely inside" he said gent
ly. 1T shines out through your eyes,"
| There was something In his voice.
But it didn't mean anything ex-
cept that he was lonely and hurt and
jamie happened to be there. She
hushed with a stern resolve the frantic
beating of her heart. She wanted
Hugh to make love to her. But not
like this. Not just because Celia had
hurt him and jamie happened to be
there.
"We'd better 60 home" She edged
away from the gentle curve Of his
arm. There was a chill in the air
she hadn't noticed before.
"Don't you like it here with met"
Like It'll But it didn't mean any
thing. Because she was trying SO
hard not to care, her voice, even to
her, sounded husky and cross.
| TITS Late" said the small husky
voice. II think we had better go
home"
"An right" Hugh rose at once from
the bench. The something had gone
from his voice.
They walked silently past the foun-
tain where the nymphs were dancing
with arms upf1ung, where the water
in the basin held the reflection Of
star and the mulberry trees, newly
leafed, whispered softly together.
Hugh did not tuck JAMES hand into
the curve Of his arm. She felt as
though he had closed door and shut
her somewhere outside.
III
"Jeff," said Great-uncle Charlie.
Eyes sub, Mistah Cha'lie," said JEFF.
you'd better bring in the bottle"