The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-04-20

He thought he had managed that
rather well. 1t pleased him to know
that his scheme had worked. He
wanted to tell jamie.
Through the foliage Of the arbor he
saw two figures seated beneath the
catalpa tree. One Of them was Celia.
He heard her laugh, saw her head, a
faint blur through the shadows. She
was talking to Tom McAllister.
"Hello," Hugh called.
There was a stir under the catalpa
tree. Celia ran across the grass to
meet him.
II was waiting for you, Hugh" she
said slipping her arm through his.
you're very much dressed up" He
saw beneath her shawl the filmy ruff
f1es of tulle.
"Tom wants US to go to the club"
Celia explained.
ITS a sort of farewell party" Tom
added. I'm off to California the first
Of next week."
Sorry" Hugh said. II can't leave
the house tonight. / may be called out
at any time"
"Hughl" There was note of re-
proach in Celia's soft voice.
He gently pressed her hand.
"You run along with Tom," he said,
''and have very nice time"
He didn't mind Celia going with
Tom. That was something to think
about. He thought about it as he
changed into dressing gown and slip
pers and switched on the reading lamp
in his room. He had new detective
novel. jamie would soon return from
an evening at Aunt Rhoda's. He could
tell her about Miss Ellie and they
would raid the ice box for something
to eat. He preferred that to dancing
with Celia at the club. 1t was aston
ishing but 1t was true. Hugh set
| tied himself with a contented feeling,
lit cigarette, opened the book.
There was gentle rap at the door.
"Come in," he called, thinking that
jamie had returned.
1t was Celia.
81 couldn't 60 without you," she
said.
Three months ago the fact that she
had given up party to stay at home
with him would have made him very
happy. Tonight he was conscious Of
nothing more stirring than a vague
irritation.
"You should have gone" he said,
rn0rotf,IIy oIocin0 tho hooly
"Id rather stay here with you" She
pulled at his hands. "Come down into
the living room and talk to me-"
They sat on the davenport in the
circle of amber light. Celia's head
rested against his shoulder. Her
fragrance no longer stirred him. Some
thing was gone forever. She talked
about the house he must build for her
at the far end of Manor street. Hugh
tried to be enthusiastic. He did not
succeed He kissed her. He held her
close. He felt nothing at all.
JAMIE came in from Aunt Rhoda's.
She paused for moment at the liv.
ing room door. Celia greeted her cool
ly. Her manner indicated that she
and Hugh preferred to be alone. Hugh
was annoyed. There was no reason
on earth why Celia should be rude to
jamie.
"Come In, young fellow" he said,
thinking how nice jamie looked In her
pert little orange tam. 81 want to tell
you about Mrs. Ellie and old Mrs.
Pope"
Celia stiffened against his arm.
jamie yawned deliberately.
I'm tired" she said. I'm going on
up to bed"
He heard her walking up the stairs,
calling to Kiltie In her husky charm
ing voice. He wanted to talk to jamie.
But jamie had gone. Celia was laying
hardwood floors in the house at the
far end of Manor street. Hugh said
nothing at all.
"You aren't listening, Hugh"
"Of course am"
But Celia did not believe him. She
wept. She worked herself into a state
Of hysteria. He attempted to calm
her. He finally carried her upstairs to
bed. jamie came with comfort and
aromatics. Hugh left her bathing
Celia's brow, talking to her in sooth-
ing murmurs. He returned to his room
and tried to think 1t out. He no
longer loved pretty Celia. What was
the honorable thing to do?
There were similar scenes In the
days that followed; tears, reproaches,
hints at desperate measures. Hugh
tried to reason with Celia.
"You don't really care about me.
You're dramatizing yourself"
"rm SO miserable" she walled.
"You needn't be. You enjoy It,
Celia"
s'You don't understand me, Hugh"
II am trying to. Perhaps am very
stupid. Do you want to break the
engagement"
She never gave him definite an
swer. He would not break the en-
gagement himself. They both were