The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-16


baby out there"
"Is-is he terribly hurt?"
Hugh did not answer. Icy fingers
clutched JAMES heart.
"Tell me, Hugh" She clutched at
his arm. 81 have to know. Is he"
The word stuck tight In her throat
Hes still unconscious They don't
know yet" Hugh repeated the words
duly as though he had said them
great many times. Hes at the hos
pital."
"Can 1 see him tonightT
"Not tonight, little fellow. Tomor-
row, perhaps"
He told her, In words which jamie
could understand. what Fathers condi-
ton might be. She couldn't believe,
somehow he was talking about Father.
She had heard Father and Hugh dis
cuss cases like that dozens and dozens
of times. 1t couldn't be Father. This
dreadful thing couldn't be true
God wouldn't let Father de-" she
said with sort of confidence. He's
always DCCA 81 hiAu anu So SOOAs 0Oo
couldn't let Father die"
"Do you believe that, Janiew Hugh
asked brokenly.
"T-Pm trying to-"
keep on" he said, ''and make me
believe it, too"
The car drew up at the curb in front
Of the old brick house. The down.
stairs windows were lighted. The
fan-light was yellow crescent. The
lanterns were twinkling. It was home.
Hugh lifted her out Of the car, held
her for moment before he set her
down on her feet.
''I'm glad you're here, little fellow"
Her cheeks brushed his. His cheek
was wet. It might be the melting
snow.
"Oh, Hughw
The front door opened. A wave Of
light washed down the snowy steps.
"Janie!" Celia was clinging to
jamie as though she would never let
go, Celia who was three years older
than jamie and taller by three full
inches. "Oh, jamie, I'm glad you're
home"
Celia was pale There were shad-
ows under her eyes. jamie was sure
that Celia hadn't noticed they were
becoming. It made her love Celia as
she had loved her once a very long
time ago. The flash of the ring on her
slender left hand was hard, for mo-
ment, to bear. After that she didn't
mind-at least, not so much.
where's Mother?" 1t all looked
so usual; the polished stairs, the Ches-
terrified, the painting in the hall. Sure
ly In just moment Father would
come out from the office, smiling, call
ing to her, holding out both of his
arms
Mother is staying at the hospital"
There was sweetness about Celia.
She had never looked so lovely. SIN
taking her out some things"
Cant l go?" jamie asked.
"You couldn't see Father" Celia's
eyes brimmed over with tears. "And
you must be tired. Take care of her,
Hugh. Stoney will drive me out"
Rachel, suspiciously red around the
eyes, numbered out into the hall.
: "Rachel!' JAMES arms were around
her neck. She was clinging hard to
something that was familiar and solid
and dear.
go on wild you'll" Rachel was wip-
ing her eyes on her apron. "T'm fixin'
bite of somethin' to eat" She lum-
bered back toward the kitchen, grum-
bling.
1t was Hugh who removed JAMES,
coat and set her on the Chesterfield
to unbuckle her galoshes. Celia picked
them up to put them away in the
closet.
They're so tiny" she said. II
never remember that JAMIE is so
small"
Small" Hugh added, "and nice.
She's very good little egg"
jamie lay on the living room daven-
POAs pu1ACu SAoSC W lhO SAuShhAS ALC.
Hugh sat on foot stool and fed her
things from tray.
"Open your mouth, small person.
One more bite. We can't have you
getting sick"
She swallowed the bite obediently.
In spite of everything. it was lovely
to be at home.
''I'm getting warm" She Struggled
into the cushions. 1--WE been so cold
all day."
Poor babyw Hugh held her hand
in both Of his. "It's my fault, JAMIE"
he said.
what is, Hugh?"
"All-all this"
You mean--Father?