The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-09-07
ut has a sort of approach-if-you-

AS i WAS SdylA, RUu . uUtHcI
loved every inch of the land, turned
abandoned quarry holes into gardens
She and her husband are buried in one
of them. Old man Gerard died, then
she went several years ago, and Rod
well, Rod was just out of law school
and crazy about flying when he came
into big fortune; perhaps you've met
fellers like that"
"Just like that !" Prudence concurred
bitterly. and hoped in the next second
that the man had not noticed the sting
in her voice.
"He didn't show up here for two
years after he lost his mother. Then
last June he opened the place, and
who'd he bring with him but Walt
Gerard and his wife and little girl.
Walt lit out pretty quick, but the Mrs.
seized the reins Of management and
how she did drive. She's one Of them
women who's so busy helpin' God run
his world that she lets her own folks
get along as best they can. She's all
a-twitter. winks one Of her cold blue
eyes when she thinks she's bein'
smart; before you've been talkin' to
her five minutes, she'll lug In re-
mark about my cousin, the ambassa-
DOR She kept the house full Of COM
pany all summer, young folks, but the
girls were so homely they'd have
stopped even one Of them electric
clocks which is supposed to run for
ever. She's wise one"
Prudence temporarily forgot the fog,
the reason for her coming.
II hadn't supposed there were any
'homely girls now, they know so well
how to look like a million. Why is
Mrs. Walter Gerard wise? Not be-
cause she doesn't care for beauty?"
"Whatta mean is, Walt, her hus-
band, is handsome as a movie actor.
She is tall, with horses teeth and
kind Of horse-shaped face. Guess she
was handsome once-the women here
say she's nifty dresser-must have
been or Walt never would have mar
ried her. He-well, he knows where
the corn crib is. Their kid is thirteen
years old. She's cute, but that curl
Gus that folks lock up everything
when they see her coming. Rods aw-
full good to her and she worships him.
The Walt Gerards haven't much
money. Rod gives them an income.
That's another reason his sister-in-
law doesn't want pretty girls around.
'Twould upset her apple cart terrible
If he should marry"
HAS Mr.. Rodney Gerard no mind of
his own?"
"Yes-yes, he has, but since his
mother passed away, Rods kinder
lazy; besides, he's got the idea some
girl will marry him for his money"
Puffer's voice deepened with affec-
Tomato anxiety. "You see, he has all
he can spend. This is, I'm guessing
so. Perhaps he thinks, why should 1
work now an take job from some
one else?
Here we are, Miss Schuyler. this is.
your uncle's place. / forgot; it's yours
now. Sorry you had such a tough
night to arrive"
He stopped the car in the road be-
fore brick gateposts and sounded a
lugubrious horn. In response, the
house door opened and let out a
stream Of yellow light; soft, cush-
iony voice called:
'That you, SIT"
"That's Mother-my wife," Puffer
explained, as he unfastened the cur
tains on Prudence's side Of the car.
He helped her out, then extended
bony hand to the gaunt woman who
seemed to unfold like an extension
ladder as she stepped cautiously to
the ground.
Prudence Schuyler's throat frightened
as she blinked at the red brick house
she had inherited. Its white trim, its
hooded doorway glowed family through
the fog with sort of phosphorescence.
A woman, designed on the feather
bed plan, with an extra chin or two in
the best Rembrandt manner, greeted
her In the hall. She looked quickly
away from the girls face, patted her
arm with motherly understanding.
"Come right in and wash and take
off your hat. Supper's all ready.
dearie. When you. get something to
eat, things'n look different. Life can
seem awful dark and dreary on an
empty stomach"
Prudence achieved a smile. 'sThank
you, Mrs. Puffer. This is Jane Mack,
who has come to help me keep house.
She has been a standby In our family
since the first day she came to make
little girl frocks for me. viii you tell
her where to find things, please?"
As the two women disappeared,
Prudence fingered in the hall, slipped
out of her rain coat, pulled OFF her
close turban. She entered the room on
her right. Her brown eyes, already
black from emotion, dilated as she
saw herself reflected in the long old
fashioned pier glass between the win
dows.
mot too bad" She made a gamin
face at the looking-gla girl, before she
turned to inspect her surroundings.