Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-10-18

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soaking wet, on the floor.
"Can it be possible that this is
yours?"
Before she could speak-and indeed
Lucinda was so embarrassed that
speach was impossible-young Carter
Chalaire broke in with a: "Let me
explain, Mother"
"That apparently you picked up a
tramp? That you found this woman
lying by the roadside dressed in moth
ing but this old piece of gunny sack
ing?"
Lucinda, hysterical, interviewed with
shrill: eyes, it's true! I was at a
picnic in barn and they poured water
on me-a trick, you know. changed
my clothes in the hay-and put on this
funny old sack-I'd nothing else to
wear-and then fell asleep-and the
others, thinking I'd gone ahead, left
for New York. Then woke up, and
tramp was in the hay, close by me,
and 1 ran for miles in the pouring
rain, and then I could run no longer
and-and your son found mel"
"Then you will kindly leave this
house at once. My chauffeur will
drive you back to town." And with
the air of an outraged queen, Mrs.
Chalaire moved to the fireplace and
flung the despised old sack into the
flames, where it made great Kissing
sound.
Before Carter could say "a word,
Lucinda blazed out in anger.
81 don't need your chauffeur! l
don't need anything from anybody!
Pm going! I have been insulted
enough!"
With swift rush, she was out into
the corridor and down the main stair
case and across the wide, paved hall
and through the front door out into
the night.
The rain had stopped now. Dawn
was almost breaking. The soft airs
of June, fragrant with flowers and
drenched foliage, yet with a tang Of
the nearby ocean, famed her hot
cheeks.
She had barely made hundred
yards on the highway, from the gates
of his home, when she was overtaken
by Carriers big car.
He drew it up along side her. He
said, succinctly: "Hop in"
She had a mind to refuse, but GER
tainly where could one go, clad only
in a suit of mems pajamas that were
much too big for her, and without the
proverbial nickel?
Lucinda got in. He had his coat
ready again. He wrapped it about
her.
"Now you'd better have good cry
or a good laugh. I'd prefer the
laugh myself. Let's both try it, Luz
cinda."
She was in his arms-crying on
his shoulder-and he was comforting
her.
The clock on the big church on River
side Drive was striking the hour OF
seven A. M. on Sunday morning when
Carter's car swung from Broadway in
to 98th Street and drew up outside
the modest building where Lucinda
shared a tiny flat with her sister.
81 dare say she'll be awfully wor-
ried about you," suggested the young
man. "I'd better come in and explain"
Lucinda grinned at him happily.
The drive had been so utterly enchant-
ing from Long Island, and so we'll had
he succeeded in diverting her mind
from the contretemps with his mother,
that Lucinda was almost her old self
again.
ooh, Bubbles isn't worrying! She's
not the worrying kind. I'll bet she's
never even missed me. But I'd like
you to come up and say hello to her,
and see our little place. It's so very
wee, you'll Taught!
1t was a walk-up. Five flights.
GOOD for the figure" Lucinda en-
couraged him.
They arrived at the door Lucinda
had painted a gay green, with the two
tiny fir-trees set in tubs outside,
which Lucinda had cherished tenderly
since last Christmas.
Jumping Jehospat! I've left my
latch-key in my pocketbook in that
darned old barn!" They rang the bell,
several times land knocked, but there
was no answer.
"D'you suppose she's still sleeping
after the festivities Carter inquired.
Il