The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-02

hadn't slept very well. jamie was
lying fiat ON her stomach beside the
living room hearth.
didn't you go to the playgroundT
| Celia asked.
"The kids aren't ducks" jamie
turned a page
where's Mother?"
| Having lunch with Mrs. Leland"
jamie kicked her heels together. tits
a committee meeting"
"When do we have lunchr'
1--WE don't. Rachel is in bed with
neuritis."
Celia moved restlessly around the
room. How shabby it lookedl No one
had busted. The flowers were droop-
ing. Glimpsed through the rain-splat-
tered windows the Square was dismal
and forlorn. How could JAMIE be con-
tented, reading beside the hearth?
"Peter Bruce 'phoned you," jamie
said.
What did he want?"
II don't know"
Celia didn't care. Peter Bruce with
his thick red hands. Was this to be
her life? She dropped like a whiting
flower into the chair beside the
hearth.
jamie lay ON her stomach, reading,
munching an apple, turning a page
now and then. Celia thought that she
envied jamie in spite Of the fact that
she was solemn-looking and brown It
would be comfortable to be insensitive,
not panied by shabbiness, torn into
shreds Of emotion. If only Carter had
| come
Hugh came in presently. Celia
frightened little. They had a picnic
lunch in front of the fire; scraps Of
| chicken, buttered toast, cocoa and
| cakes.
| Hugh talked to Celia and watched
the shine of the freight on her honey
colored hair. Lovely, he thought, the
curve Of her throat, her delicate oval
face. She would always be lovely.
Her bones were beautifully formed ;.
jamie lay on the hearth rug and looked
at Hugh. Celia would make him mis-
cradle, she thought. Hugh was sin
cere and honest and fine. He would
worship Celia and Celia would take
advantage. jamie didn't want Hugh to
be hurt. It was miserable, being
hurt. "Don't fall in love with her,
Hugh Oh, darling laughing Hugh !"
The door-bell rang. Celia slipped
away to answer it. A tall young man
in belted coat stood on the rain
splashed steps.
rs this Doctor Billiards. residence?"
A southern accent.
EYES," The rain was falling on his
wavy dark hair. His face was dark
even when he smiled. His teeth were
very white.
rs Miss Ballard at homer?
Celia answered in person.
"Why, Carter Shelbyl" The silver
harp strings were faulty drawn. She
advanced to meet him, both hands ex-
tended in a pretty gesture Of greeting.
"My car broke down." Young Mr..
Shelby was explaining, smiling down
at Celia, holding both Of her hands.
Celia led him into the living room.
She chartered brightly. She intro
duced him to jamie and to Hugh.
He ought to wear costumes, jamie
thought. A brocade vest, coat with
velvet lapels. Strange that his face
was dark even when he smiled
Women like suggestion of mystery,
Hugh thought. He doubted If even in
the very far South they spoke with
such an exaggerated drawl. He
thought of the gambler in "Show
Boat" Ravenal-that was his name.
Celia seemed nervous. He wished he
could help her somehow
"Have you had lunch?" Celia asked
when Hugh had taken his coat and
jamie had pushed the armchair close
to the fire.
"Well, no. AS a matter of fact"
He accepted cigarette and bent to
the lighter Hugh snapped.
Lunch! Celia thought Of Rachel in
bed with neuritis. She thought of what
was left in the icebox. She thought Of
Mother lunching with Mrs. Leland.
She felt very badly used.
jamie was sorry for Celia. She
couldn't bear it, somehow, to see her
shaken and nervous. She wished she
had busted this morning and rear
ranged the flowers.
sour maid is ILL.," she explained to
| Carter Shelby. "And Mother isn't at
calf" She smiled her wide gay smile.
There's nothing left but the bones"
Hugh laughed. Why will she say
such things? Celia inwardly fumed.
| Carter Shelby smiled.
| TO BE CONTINUED.