The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-28

hdtCu tuC SudfG NOlCcy ndICu tuC way
the woman flicked her eyelids, hated
her smile, hated the flutter with which
she settled into the wing chair. The
child sat primly on the ottoman be-
side her. her eyes darting about the
room like ferret's.
Mrs. Walter Gerard babbled: $50
delighted to have woman Of my own
kind near. OF course, our house is
full during the season, but that isn't
like having neighbor. We hope that
you will come often to High Lodges.
What is 1t, dear?"
She inclined her head for the child's
whisper. "The idea! No. No, Of
course not, Jean. She wants to prowl,
Miss Schuyler, to see things. She is
so intelligent. My cousin, the am
bassador, says that she is the bright
est child he has ever met. What an
adorable skittle-ball kettle! Heir
loom?"
Prudence wanted to snap, "No. Auc-
ton ROOM" Mrs. Walter Gerard was
so blatantly a person to whom family
background would matter enormously
in her estimate of person. but she
couldn't deny her fathers great-grand-
mother.
eyes"
Lorgnon in action, Mrs. Gerard bent
over the kettle. SIT looks like Paul
Lamerie."
"It is"
"But, my dear, don't you realize that
it is a museum piece? That mans
fame as a goldsmith has reached the
ends Of the earth. Fancy using it"
She settled back in her chair. "As i
was saying, my brother-in-law is a
bachelor; in consequence, I am never
at loss for young company"
Her wink fired Prudence with an
unholy impulse to scratch her.
"But he's such butterfly. He fits
from flower to flower, never settles to
one girl A quite natural attitude for
a rich man who has been pursued all
his life, don't you think so, Miss
Schuyler"
She was intimating what 81 Puffer
had said, that Rodney Gerard was in
terror of being married for his for
tune. Did the woman think that she
needed warning? A crash saved Prue's
reputation for courtesy. Jean had
been investigating the sugar bowl.
The child scowled down upon 1t.
"Gee, it made me mad to drop
that!"
Her mother folded complacent hands.
Darling daughter shouldn't touch
things until she is better acquainted.
She is interested in everything, Miss
Schuyler"
"Uncle Rod calls me K. K, his
K-urious Kid" Jean interrupted in
high voice. "He comes to see you every
day, doesn't he?"
The elfish eyes interrogating her
brought a wave of color to Prue's face,
the rush as Of many waters in her
ears Mrs. Gerard anticipated her
answer.
"How amusing that you should have
imagined that, darling. Your Uncle
Rodney is an indolent, good-natured
boy; perhaps he might allow himself
to be monopolized-for a time. You
have a brother, dear Miss Schuyler"
eff she calls me dear once more I'll
throw something at her." Prudence
told herself furiously. Aloud she in
formed smoothly:
"Yes. expect him at any mo-
ment." She deliberately looked at
the clock. Never in her life had she
been SO rude, but never before had
she had such occasion, she excused
herself.
"Coming today! Happy grill I'll
run away, you must be busy. You will
come to High Lodges when we return
in the spring, won't you? We close
the house soon, so am afraid"
uncle Rod isn't going, Jean an
nounced.
Rodney not going" Mrs. Gerard's
suave voice shrilled. Her face red
dened unbecomingly. Her blue eyes
hardened; then she laughed and
winked.
This darling has the strangest fan
cies, Miss Schuyler. You won't forget
me, will your" She extended her
white-gloved hand, showed her long
teeth in a large smile, and started
along the herring bone brick path with
a springiness bordering on juvenility.
Her daughter fingered to whisper
hoarsely:
II know why Uncle Rodney isn't go
ing back to the city. He's goofy
about you" She stuck her tongue In
her cheek and ran.
Prue's eyes smoldered as she
watched mother and daughter enter
the luxurious maroon touring car.
"Horrid woman" she thought pas
sionately. Il wager that you are a
seold, a hypocrite. I feel as II my
heart and soul had stumbled into a
nettle patch. They are all prickles"
She crossed to the window and tried
to concentrate her attention on the
road by which her brother would come.