The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-07
CHAPTER I

houses Into weird dwarfs and nlled
the world. Moisture dripped from
twigs and branches. The faint far
moan of buoy drifted through the
grayness with melancholy monotony.
The smell Of the sea crept behind the
slackly fastened side curtains Of the
car. The lean, angular driver stopped
the engine and climbed out.
what Is the matter, Mr.. Puffer"
Prudence Schuyler inquired from the
cavernous gloom of the back seat
"Tires leaky. Guess they'll hold out
till we get there. though"
His passenger valiantly swallowed
an exclamation Of concern. She patted
encouragement on the hand Of the
woman beside her. She really needed
someone to pull her spirit out of the
pit of depression, she told herself.
A motor purred alongside.
"That you, 81? What's the matter?
Tire trouble? Flat?"
The voice was hollow, muffled,
mans voice. Shut within the cur
tanned car, Prudence could see nothing
but the uncanny mist.
""Tain't fiat yet"
From the gruffness of his answer
she judged that Mr.. Puffer did not
care for the person who had hailed
him.
HAS the girl come"
There was eagerness in the ques-
ton, a hint of anxiety, more than
hint of arrogance. If the wheel I'M
der her could talk, she would have
said that it's shake was warning her
to keep quiet, Prudence decided.
"Gorry-me, you wouldn't expect city
folks to come to the country in this
storm, would you? Whatta mean is,
guess she'll get to the red brick house
bout tomorrow"
The red brick house! Her house!
The voice in the fog was inquiring
for her, Prudence Schuyler! Why had
Mr.. Puffer evaded the question? She
watched him as he resumed his seat.
'Phone me the minute she arrives,
ST."
"A REuuL lIOul IliC man at thC WHICH,
was the only response. A red tail
light shot into the golden mist Of it's
own powerful headlights and dwindled
to a spark.
Prudence leaned forward. "Was
that voice, which sounded like de-
mon of the fog, inquiring for me, Mr..
Puffer?'
"Yep."
"Why did you sidetrack him? Why
tell him that was arriving tOmor-
row."
"Gorry-me, you wait an you'll see,
Miss Schuyler. Whatta mean is, by
tomorrow you'll have kinder got yer
bearin's anil know what to say. Len
Calloway'l tie you up tight to him,
If he can"
"Tie me up! You're not alluding to
a matrimonial tie by any chance, are
your
The driver looked back. "Glad to
hear you laugh. When met you at
the station, was afraid you was go
ing to break out cryin'. 1t sure is a
mean night for you to arrive. Not
much further to go. We're passing
the Gerard place now"
It was evident that he considered
the voice in the fog closed incident.
Couldn't he feel that she was fairly
tingling with curiosity? Prudence
asked herself. She had better seem
Indifferent. She said lightly.
'Tm glad to know there is some
thing tangible to pass"
"'Tain't always like this; just wait
till the sun shines Gerard is your
neighbor on the east, that is, if you
can call it being a neighbor when the
houses are two miles apart. His
folks come down only for the summer,
but l reckon you've come to stay.
judgin' by the truck load of stuff /
carted up to the red brick house the
other day."
For no reason she could explain to
herself, Prudence Schuyler evaded an
answer. With the intention of turning
the drivers attention from her affairs,
she suggested:
"Ten me about the Gerard family"
Her ruse succeeded. 'T'll tell you
about the Gerards; perhaps twill take
your mind of the rough going. The
estate. which includes plane landing
field. golf links, mountain streams, an
bout two miles of pond shore besides
the sea front, belongs to Rod Gerard.
His names Rodney. but the towns
people call him Rod. He's one Of
those rich fellers you read about who
fly airplanes, own a string of polo
monies, an have vally to bring up
their breakfast, crease their pants,
an lay out their pink silk pajamas-
but he amt bit stuck-up."
sounds like first family of Holly
wood"
.Whatta mean is, folks here think a
lot of Rod, but he has an older brother
Walter an that brother has a wife.
Walt was the son by old man Gerard's
first marriage; that wife didn't have
any money, neither did he. After she
died, Gerard, who was handsome,
gifted man, married an heiress and
Dod,a fhofx child They huilf a h0uaa