The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-04-06

| his intention of staying on the Square,
she had not been able to shake his de-
termination. There were times when
he had wayered, times when she had
been almost confident of success. But
he had never entirely yielded.
You're sacrificing your future,
Hugh"
II can't see 1t that way"
Father wouldn't expect It,"
Il shall stay as long as he needs
me-"
Don't you love me?"
II adore you. But this is something
that intend to do"
How she hated the fnality in his
voice, the tight line of his lips. the
stubborn thrust of his jaw. 1t was
absurd, unreasonable. She was sorry
about Father, too. But Hugh's sense
of duty or honor or whatever he called
1t was fantastic. Nothing had been
able to shake his determination. She
had stopped wearing his ring. He had
noticed 1t but had said nothing at all.
He seemed purposely to neglect and
avoid her. He shut himself into his
room or drove with jamie in that out
rageOus car they called "Horatius."
1t was more than anybody could be
expected to stand.
Father had been removed to
sanitarium in the West. There would
be another operation. And then there
would be the sound Of a wheel chair
in the hall and the gilt and green par
lor would be turned into a bedroom.
Celia shivered.
She stood at the window and looked
down into the Square. She saw moth
ing lovely In the foliage Of the small
| mulberry trees, in the mauve plumes
| of the lilacs, in the new pushing
| green Of the grass. She couldn't bear
1t to live here all of her life. OF what
use would Hugh's money be or her own
fragile beauty If she must stay in
Mulberry Square?
She wondered why she had become
engaged to him. A dozen reasons,
creditable to Celia, presented them
selves. She overlooked the fact that
she had been piqued at Carter Shelby's
Indifference, that she had fancied
Muriel was gloating over her.
She told herself that 1t was because
Hugh had loved her greatly and she
had pitied him. She recalled the
promises he had made as they sat to-
| gether in that, ridiculous car In the
scented intimacy Of narrow side
road. His ardor had thrilled her, had
| restored her wounded pride. His
| promises were peep-holes into daz-
| cling future. IF she could possibly
have fOreseen
A hurdy-gurdy was playing IA
miliar waltz. Celia identified the tune
with a sudden swift lifting of spirits.
She had danced to it with Carter Shell
by on New Years day at "Sportsman's
Hail." She hummed the words softly.
"COme with me where moon
beams
Carter Shelby! He had told her
that he would do anything to make
her happy. If she should go to him
and say simply, "Im very unhappy,
Carter. My engagement was mis-
take" would he take her away to
those far lovely places which he had
so beautifully described? She thought
that he would.
Thoughts slipped rapidly through
her mind. Fate, she decided. was
turning the handle Of the hurdy-gurdy
All at once the three shadow Celias
nodded their golden heads. The real
Celia. after weeks Of toying with an
idea, had made final decision. She
glanced at her watch. One o'clock
She could take the 2 20 into the city
and make connections with the Wash
ington express.
She had made up her mind and she
did not waver. AS she bathed, she
assured herself that she was doing the
best thing for everybody concerned
Mother would understand. It was her
dearest wish that Celia might escape
the Square. Father would be satisfied
If he knew she was happy. He wanted
them to be happy. Dear Fatheri She
would send him books and an inlaid
chess board and baskets of beautiful
fruit. Hugh would be terribly hurt
but she thought he rather deserved 1t.
And JAMIE, dear little jamie Well,
jamie could never understand.
She decided to take no luggage. Her
suede bag would hold a nightgown,
her tooth brush. her lip stick and pow
der and rouge. It was better to get
away quietly. She could send later
for her clothes. She hadn't much
money. Enough to buy a ticket to
Washington. She wondered idly If
Aunt Lucy and Muriel were at home.
Should she leave a note for Hugh?
What should 1t be? She couldn't say
fatty that she refused to live In Null
berry Square. She had never said
that. She didn't quite dare to write
that she was going to marry Carter
Shelby. She decided not to leave a
note. Her engagement ring7 She
opened the tiny plush case. 1t twinkled