The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-30

the stern expression soften. Hugh
stopped and kissed Celia's brow.
JAMIE, watching intently, saw Celia's
lips curve into a smile.
Hugh went abruptly out Of the room.
Had he seen that smile? All evening
he was unusually quiet. After Office
hours were over, jamie walked with
him into the hall. Celia was talking
at the telephone. She placed the re-
ceiver on the hook when she saw
Hugh watching her and adopted
languid air.
dolly wants me to stay with her
tonight" she said. "They're driving
in for me. l think it would do me
good to get away"
Perhaps" Hugh said brusquely.
The set of his lips filed JAMIE with
sudden fright.
"Will you come with us?" Celia
asked.
81 can't" he said briefly. Il have
sore reading to do"
But he didn't read. He paced the
floor of his room upstairs. JAMIE,
playing double solitaire with Mrs.
CULLEN In the living room below, heard
his footsteps treading endlessly back
and forth,
"What ails him tonight" Mrs. Quill
len asked with an eloquent glance
toward the ceiling.
81 don't know" jamie answered.
That wasn't quite true. She thought
that Hugh had suspected Celia. She
thought that the fainting fit had not
deceived him at all. What would hap
pen? What would he do2
jamie served as Office girl, after
the evening that Celia tainted. She
didn't really mind. 1t was pleasant
to be with Hugh.
The arrival of the postman was an
event of great Importance. There
were letters from Mother every day
and sometimes a note from Father.
He was getting stronger. The opera
ton was to be performed in a very
short time. There was nothing to do
except wait.
Occasionally square gray envelope
came in with the rest Of the mail.
Carter Shelby was writing to Celia
again. Celia tucked the letters away
with a casual air and seldom men,
toned his name. But she watched
for the square gray envelopes. jamie
was sure of that. And all through
February while the snow changed to
sleet and mud and each gray day that
passed seemed drearier than the
others, jamie watched for a telegram
from Mother.
The telegram never arrived. One
morning, early in March, letter came
addressed in Mothers writing to Hugh.
He read it at breakfast.
Its over" he said.
''The operation?" Celia's hands crept
up to her heart.
JAMES eyes asked question. Hugh
looked at her miserably. He looked
away. But he had to tell them.
st was unsuccessful" he said.
"You mean" Celia faltered.
"He will never walk again."
jamie made faint little moan and
her fingers twisted together.
Hell be well otherwise?" Celia
asked.
EYES," Hugh's voice was husky and
rough. "He may live for years"
lis he coming homer jamie asked.
mot at once. They want to keep
him there for observation"
sit isn't so bad" Celia said slowly
as though she were reassuring her.
self. HE will have Stoney to take
care of him."
"Not so badl" Hugh turned to her
almost fiercely. "Never to walk To
be tied to chairI You don't know
what you are saying!"
Il only wanted to make the best Of
! things" Celia said plaintively.
81 know" Hugh reached over to
touch her hand. "It's just that / am
to blame. It drives me crazy. can't
forget it. / can't get it out Of my
head"
He left the dining room abruptly.
They did not see him again all day.
When Hugh come in at supper time,
jamie was waiting for him on the
Chesterfield in the hall. She glanced
up at him anxiously as she helped him
pull off his driving gloves and his
heavy coat. His face was weary but
peaceful. He looked as though he had
fought fight and reached final de-
ciSion.
Supper is ready" jamie said.
"That's good. I'm starved"
'FYou didn't come home for lunch,
II was busy. 1 didn't have time"
He walked with his arm around her
out into the dining room. Celia al
ready was. seated. She wore the slim
little black crepe frock. Her face
was pale. There were shadows I'M
der her eyes. The candles were light
ed. They cast glow over the table
that now was set for three, over the
silver tea-set, over Celia's white hands
busy among the cups.