The Coolidge examiner., 1934-07-06


held her for moment before he
set her down on her feet.
I'm glad you're here. little feb
low" Her cheeks brushed his. Hla
cheek was wet Il might be the
melting snow.
"Oh. Hugh!"
The front door opened. A wave
OF light washed down the snowy
steps
jamie" Celia was cllnging To
jamie as though she would never
let 90. 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
I becoming. II made her love Celia
as she had loved her once very
long time ago. The fash OF the riag
on her slender left hand was hard,
tor q moment. 20 bear. After that
1 she dldat mind-at least. not so
I much.
Where's MothcrT' II oil looked
so usual the polished stairs, the
/ Chesterfield. the painting In the
hall Surely IN Just a moment Ia
,hcr would come out from the Office.
smiling. calling 20 her. holding out
both og his arms
Mother IS staying at the hos
pl,al" There was sweetness
about Celia. She had never looked
50 lovely. I'm taking her out some
things"
cant | goT" jamie asked.
"You couldn't see Father" Cella's
eyes brlmmed over with tears. And
you mus, be tired. Take care Of
her. Hugh. Stoney viii drive pe
out"
Rachel. susplciously red Rrornd
the eyes. numbered out into She
hall.
Rachel :" JAMES arms were
around her neck. she wa' elinglng
hard to something that w,s famll-
lar and solid and dear.
60 on wild you," Rachel was
wiping her eyes on her apron. I'm
nXln' a bite % something TO eat"
She numbered back Into the kitchen.
grumbllng
I, was Hugh who removed Ianle's
Goa, and set her on the Chester
Geld 10 unbuckie her galoshss Cells
picked them up TO put thsm away
In the closet
They're so tiny she said Il
never remember that Jaale Is 10
small"
small Hugh added. "and nice
She's very good little egg"
III
JAMIE lay on the living room dav
export pulled close 10 the cracking
Gre Hugh sat on a footstool and fed
her things from a tray.
I'm getting warm" She snuggled
Into the cushlonA I've been 80
cold all day"
Poor babyI" Hugh held her
hand In both OF his. It's my fault
jamie" be said.
What Is. Hugh7"
"All--all this"
You mean-Fatherf
lie nodded his head.
why Is II your fault. HughT'
Il, was my patient" His voice
was rough and husky Il knew that
baby was coming. ! had been there
AZ noon"
where were your
I'm ashamed 10 tell you" lie
stared mlserably AT the Gre. janis
could feel that his hands were shak-
Ing.
Please. Hugh. Tell ma. please
Il was at the movies They called
twice. Then Doctor Ballard went.
lie hadn't expected 10 20 out At
all last night He had given Stoney
the evening of. IL had begun TO
storm. You know he doesn't see well
enough to drive at night"
"Oh. Hugh" She could only say
II over and over. that husky re-
proachful "oh. Hugh."
"rd have done anything for him"
Hugh dropped his head on the edge
OF the davenport over her hand and
his own. She felt a wetness on his
cheeks There was no snow in here.
He's been like a father 10 me.
It's my fault, jamie. can see well
enough to drive at night. shouldn't
have let her" he stopped abruptly.
JAMIE was. all at once. breathless
and very still.
1T wasn't her fault" Hugh said
quickly. Il shouldn't have let
her"
"She coaxed you TO take herY"
JAMIE asked evenly. Oh, Celia
Celial
II have been busy Hugh framed
a defense for Celia. Il haven't
had time 10 take her places. She's
been sweet about it. In horribly
jealous. JAMIE"
"She said she would 20 with some
body else?"
"She might" His hands were