The Coolidge examiner., 1934-08-17

80 your home again. came the
familiar voice at the other end OK
the line. Il saw you IN washing
ton last night"
~D!d your" Cclla's hand crept up
to her throat. Then IL was Toms
profile she had glimpsed In a pass
lns taxi when she vas saying good
by to Carter In front OF that shabby
hotel Aunt Lucy wasn't at home,
she continued hurriedly. Il stayed
overnight at the house with Mag
gle"
why did you go1" Tom asked.
I've been feeling miserable" The
silver harp strings were plaintiye.
Had Tom told JAMIE or Hugh? She
had TO know. Have you seen any
OF my family today?"
Your secret Is safe with me-
pretty girl"
Pretty girl! Tom was rather
dear Thank you for the flowers,
she said. And because she was
Celia she couldn't help adding, I'm
wearing some OF them now"
Consolation" be said
Consolation She didn't quite
ike the sound OF that Did Tom
suspect that she had gone TO Wash
ing,on TO see Carter shelbyl There
were times when she didn't Ike
Tom Rt all.
"Did you know that Murlel and
Carter are engaged1" she asked.
putting great deal Of happy en-
thuaasm into her voice.
Yes And / have some
news"
Are you engaged. tooY" II was
strange that the thought OF Tom
being engaged made her feel a lit
tie forlorn.
NO" lie laughed I'm going to
California
"WhenfT
"In a couple OF weeks. Some busi-
ness for Mr. Grove. That's why /
was in Washington yesterday"
shall you be away long7"
About three weeks" came the
answer over the wire.
Il hope you will have a very nice
trip"
Want TO go with meT'
Tom Z"
Excuse me. was thinking aloud"
There was. ia his voice. that blend
InE Of tenderness and amusement
which bafled Celia and intrigued
her against her win. I'm tremsn-
dously busy. ! may not see you be-
fore 20. Remember what I've
often told you-you aren't clever
enough"
Celia hung up the receiver with
an indignant click. Decidedly. there
were times when she was fo9d OF
Tom and times when she didn't like
him at all She regretted that he
had seen her with Carter last night
But he hadn't told jamie or
Hugh
jamie came out from the once.
JAMIE In a uniform with KIltie trot.
ting contentedly az her heels
Isn't Hugh almost throughr
Celia asked.
There's one more patient
jamie answered.
Celia thought that JAMIE was
looking at her with too intent Q
gaEe.
What's the matterY" she asked
quickly.
Il vas wondering II you are In
a good humor."
"why jamie dear- Cella'z eyes
were reproachful. That jamie
should think she was ever anything
except sweet and sympathetic.
JAMIE ignored the mute reproach.
"Rachers niece Is going 10 be a
bridesmaid" she said. do you
mind II give her your old leghorn
hatT'
"Of course not" Celia pictured
herself In the role OF a Lady Boun-
tlful. outftting Shantytown
bridesmaid Give her that old
pink dress" she added generously.
Il never can wear II again"
JAMIE went or upstairs with the
small black dog az her heels. Celia
listened. for moment, az the Office
door. She heard Hugh dismiss the
last patient. heard him close the
door and turn the key in the lock.
Then she returned quickly 10 the
living room. seated herself on the
davenport. fiuttered the pages OF
magazine.
Hugh found her there a few mo-
ments later. His face was grave
There were no pleasant laughing
crinkles around his ruddy-brown
eyes.
Celia" he asked. standing quite
still In the center OF the room,
why did you run away?"
Kun awayT" She lifted eyes that
were filled with tender reproach.
you make it sound 500
planned"
Wasn't itr He looked at her
steadily.
Planned !" She laughed as
though the idea amused her. II
wasn't an entirely successful laugh.