The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-02

fallen asleep as soon as her head
touched the pillow. jamie felt like
adding postscript to the letter. She
nobly refrained.
It was Great-aunt Rose who ex-
planned. She came to call one Sun
day afternoon. Celia was spending the
day with Aunt Rhoda.. jamie sat
curled up with book in fat leather
chair. Mother rocked languidly and
waved palm-leaf fan.
II suppose Celia has told you,
Helen" Aunt Rose began.
"Has something happened?" Moth
er, of course, was expecting the worst.
Something which may be pleasant
Aunt Rose smiled family. She never
really laughed. 1t wasn't aristocratic.
"A charming young man, vacationing at
the shore, was very attentive to our
pretty little girl"
From Washington" Mother had
glimpsed the post-marks on the
square gray envelopes.
HE Is located in Washington now"
Aunt Rose, on all occasions, spoke as
though she were addressing meeting
of the D. A. r. His home, he in
formed me, Is in Charleston"
"What is his name?" Mother, jamie
thought, was getting little excited.
Charleston! It had a fascinating
sound. You thought of mansions and
live oak trees and gardens of vivid
flowers
Garter Shelby" Aunt Rose gave
the name her unqualified approval. 81
have made investigations. The Car
tiers and the Shelbys are prominent in
Charleston society,""
Sand you think" Mother was
seeing visions and dreaming dreams.
II think we are likely to lose our
pretty little girl"
1t was loss which JAMIE felt she
could bear with fortitude. Bless this
Carter Shelby! If only Celia would
marry him! Maybe then
After that Mother ceased to look
with calculating expression at Celia
and Hugh. jamie found her rummag-
ing one day through book case In the
upstairs sitting room. 1t harbored the
literary cast-offs of the years, baby
books, "The Little Colonel series,
big Game in Africa" the detective
stories that Grandfather Ballard had
liked, two rows of massive volumes
which were bound copies of a maya
zine. 1t was through these that Moth
er was busily searching.
"What are you looking for?' jamie
asked.
81 remember seeing it once" Moth
er fluttered the pages and little puffs
of dust swirled up into the air. JAMIE
watched and wondered Mother, as
a rule, was not devoted to literature.
"Here it isl" she exclaimed. "Janie!
Would you look!"
jamie dropped to her knees and
looked over Mothers shoulder. The
article was entitled Charleston Gar
dens" There were pictures in color
of lockwood hedges and sun dials and
clumps Of flaming azaleas.
"A perfect setting for Cellar Moth
er murmured with visions in her eyes.
tits lovely" jamie agreed.
sand look at this!'
JAMIE saw through tunnel of arch
ing trees a mansion Of rose-red brick.
Mothers finger trembled as it pointed
out the line of lettering beneath the
picture. "Magnolia-The Home of
Colonel Valentine Shelby"
ut might not be the same one,"
jamie objected.
1t did seem that Mother was count
ing a number of unmatched eggs.
"Aunt Rose never makes mistakes
like that" Mother was dreaming
over the picture. 81" she sighed, will
never escape this Square. But Celia
certainly SHALL"
Celia, however, volunteered no in
formation. She continued to act as
though young Mr. Shelby was SUBJ
ject too sacred to be discussed. When
square gray envelope failed to ar
rive in the morning mail she was
petulant and plaintive. When it did
arrive, she donned her saint Cecilia"
expression. jamie wondered. Had
Celia fallen in love?
Father went away for the last two
weeks in August. His friend, Judge
Trent, from Baltimore, had a camp
in the Blue Ridge mountains. Father
was pleased and excited.
"a legacy is useful" he said at
breakfast the morning he left.
'Tn do my best, Doctor Ballard"
Hugh promised gravely.
keep an eye on him, JAMIE"
Both eyes, Father" jamie was
perched on the arm of his chair, want
ing to keep him, happy because he
could 60.
do take care of yourself, John"
Mother was closing bag. "Remem-
ber-nothing friedl"
Stcney was waiting with Fathers
car at the door. Rachel was an
nouncing the time in melancholy ac-
cents. Father was kissing Mother and
jamie and shaking hands with Hugh.