The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-12-07

fire and laid the garments over Its
back. Prudence regarded him with a
superior smile, as superior as a smile
could be with chattering teeth be-
hind 1t.
"Just naturally helpful, aren't you?
1 haven't the slightest intention Of
exchanging. I'll stay here until
M-Macky gets back"
you have another guess coming to
you. You'll change to dry clothes
while I'm in the kitchen making cup
of hot tea. Now get this. If you
haven't when I come back, I'll peel
off those wet things myself" He paused
on the threshold. snake it snappy.
1t doesn't take long to boil water"
Prudence wrinkled her nose at his
back. The act Of defiance precipi-
tated a body-wrenching sneeze. Let
him try to make her change. Just
let him try.
She glanced furtively at the pa
jamas and coat over the chair. They
looked blissfully warm, and she was
frozen. Why not put them on? Why
freeze for the pleasure Of defying
Rodney Gerard?
What was that sound? Was he COM
ing already? With shaking hands she
pulled off the green cardigan. OF
course, the lordly male would think
he had frightened her into obedience.
She knotted the cord of the green and
blue house coat. He hadn't. It wasn't
that she was too proud to fght-was
her reaction to that thought chuckle
or a shiver-she was too c-cold to
flight. Silly not to have put these
toasty warm things on at once.
He was coming! She caught up the
wet clothing and damned it into the
wood box. Back in the wing chair
she thrust her bare toes. still white
from cold, into sandals and sat on
them.
When Gerard entered he glanced
quickly at the chair in front of the
fire. He drew forward a Chinese tea
poy and set down the tray in his
hand.
''Ihere you are
He poured tea, strong enough to
curl the straightest lashes up tight,
and passed her the cup.
Drink 1t while it's hot"
She took hasty swallow.
Its boiling You-haven't a
c-copper-lined mouth up your sleeve,
have you? You're such an efficient
p-person."
did it burn?"
"Oh no, it froze and frosted all the
way down."
Don't try to be funny. Drink 1t.
At least, you're not shivering now.
What the dickens have you done to
this room?"
Paper and paint. / wanted it fresh
for David when he returned" She
started to her feet. "Dave! How
could I have forgotten? He must be
wild with anxiety about me-"
"Sit downl Finish that tea!
phoned him from upstairs. Told him
that you were okay and that you
would be at High Lodges for dinner.
I" A door banged. who's that?
Sit still!"
Before he could reach the hall, Jane
Mack appeared on the threshold.
Miss Prue! Miss Prue! They've
caught the escaped prisoner! Now
perhaps you'll get your Jewels" She
took step into the room and pulled
down her spectacles. "What's the
matter, child? What happened to
her, Mr.. Rodney?"
Prue treasured quickly:
Nothing happened, Macky, except
that went to look at my timber and
got wet. Mr.. Gerard made some tea
and-here we are"
Jane Mack put her hand against
Prue's cheek. "You look feyerish.
Sure you haven't taken cold?"
"Of course not. never have cold.
What did you hear about the convict,
Macky? Tell US, quick"
Gerard lifted the heavy coat from
James thin shoulders-Prue wondered
if that attention ever had been shown
u6T DGlOIC-tiAu uICW lOA WA q SANAA'
''Sit here, Miss Mack. How did you
hear about the capture?"
''The news was broadcast about ten
minutes ago. The convict was brought
to the county Jail by leading citizen
didn't tell his name over the radio
who caught him in the woods, dared
death from the desperado's revolver,
and captured him single-handed-"
Jane Mack's theatrical "dared death"
unleashed Prue's shivers.
"Single-handed !" she echoed.
The leading citizen was Galloway,
of course. Evidently he had forgotten
to mention Rodney Gerard's timely en-
trance at the cabin. had forgotten her
mastery stroke with the ak.
"Single-handed she repeated, and
looked at Rodney Gerard. He shook
his head as his eyes met hers. She
turned to Jane Mack.
$50 the leading citizen caught him
single-handed. Amt human nature
grand!"