The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-21
CHAPTER II-Continued

;
Il guess your uncle thought he'd
spent enough on the old house for a
start. If he'd had women folks, they
would have struck for it. I've got
everything electric from an ice-box to
sewing machine. Don't know that 1t
gets me any more time, though" With
difficulty she eXtricated herself from
the chair. Il must be going. When's
your brother coming, dearie?"
"Just as soon as I get the house
In order. 1t won't be but a few days
now. Do you think he will like it?
David and I are all that are left of
the family. Mother and Father died
In my debutante year. He was so
much older than that he has taken
their places. He has been everything
to me-since l lost my sister. Oh,
Mother Puffer, you think he will get
well here, don't you?"
Get well Never knew anyone who
once settled in this village to die Of
anything but old age. He'll be spry
and dancing at your weddin' before
you have time to turn around"
my wedding! l married !" Prudence
coughed in the vain hope of counter
acting the bitterness of her exclama-
ton. Il hope Dave gets well long,
long before that. Thanks heaps for
everything, Mrs. Puffer. Good night |!
Come again soon!"
Prudence curled up in the wing
chair, confided to the fire:
1.-THE long winter evenings! Seed
catalogues for entertainment Zowie |!
"Self-pity almost caught me that
time. Migrate! Wailing over prospec-
tive long evenings, when, within my
first twenty-four hours here, an all
conquering lumberman has called, and
l have been snatched from a messy
accident by a rich playboy."
She re-lived that episode. Shivered.
Her realization of the smash from
which Rodney Gerard had saved her
had ripped off the shell of indiffer-
ence to men in which she had encased
her heart. She had actually liked
him! Would she be able to harden
again? Already the heavenly beauty
and freshness of the place She had in
herited was making life seem thrill
ingly worthwhile. The great spaces
seemed as full of life as had the city
streets crowded with pushing, david
ling humanity.
"Supper's ready, Miss Prue."
Prudence Joined the woman at the
door. I'm hungry; that's why I'm
low in my mind, Macky. Didn't Moth
er Puffer say that life could be awful
dark and dreary on an empty stom-
achf" She linked her arm in that of
the woman. "She's a dear to bring us
things, and wonderful cook"
Jane Mack shifted. "She may be
wonderful cook, but she's a terrible
talker. She said to me, What makes
Miss Prue so bitter about men-a
pretty child like her? Did her city
beau turn her down because she lost
her money!"
Prudence bit her lips to steady them,
blinked hard. Since the warning tap
on her brothers shoulder, little hot,
salty springs seemed in constant COM
motion behind her eyes.
Mrs. Puffer's question about the city
beau returned to Prue's mind as sew
eral hours later she unclasped the
string Of pearls before the mirror on
the chintz dressing table. She looked
at the lovely, cleaning things which
dripped from her pink palm. Her
sisters pearls Lovely jules, who
had married the son Of a multi-mil-
nonaire, adoring him, believing in him.
When after two years of marriage she
had discovered his unfaithfulness-
the treachery of her brothers wife
she had crumpled. her life had gone
out like candle, and with it the life
Of her baby. The tragedy had seemed
to run back into the very roots Of
Prue's HEARTH ones heart had roots
-or the spring Of her heart which
threatened so often to bubble up in
tears. 1t had killed the lovely shining
belief she had had in people, taken
the sunshine out Of living.
Time had eased the ache, but 1t
had not restored her faith. She had
had men friends, but she had steeled
herself against their protestations.
There were plenty Of safe, sane In
terests without stalking her happiness
on q man.
Men. The eyes Of the girl in the
glass narrowed trifie. She had met
two today. Mrs. Puffer had declared:
There's one or two smart Alexis
in the village who'll do you, If they get
the chance"
Prudence laid the pearls in their
satin bed and snapped the case shut.
She tapped the velvet lightly with a
Anger az she reelected aloud: