Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-03-08
CHAPTER l


cellent reason for not marrying" Jes-
sica answered her mother.
She walked to the window and star
ed down into the avenue for moment.
"People!" she exclaimed, and cross
ed to a big overstuffed chair.
Her mother eyed her secretly and
with genuine alarm.
"My dear Jessica," Mrs. Parkman
said, patiently, "the streets are for
people. Really, what did you expect?"
Jessica drew magazine from the
little rack and curled up in the chair
as she glanced through it. That is,
she curled up as we'll as statuesque,
titian-haired beauty may curl up In
a rather small area of downy cush-
ions.
Mrs Parkman pretended to read her
novel. but continued to watch her
daughter. She was really worried
about her.
Suddenly Jessica literally hurled
the magazine from her.
"More people-nothing in the maya
zines except drivel about uninterestlng
people. I'm sick and tired of people.
Pm fed up!"
"Fed up?" Her mother glanced at
her severely.
"Fed up. 1t is a good expression
it means to be stated, mother. If
1 don't use slang I'll use profanity"
"You wouldn't, Jessica; it isn't be-
ing done now. 1t was considered
smart by some while ago"
Mrs. Parkman stopped, for Jessica
was staring moodily at nothing and
twisting her handkerchief.
"Jessica!" Mrs. Parkman tried to
speak sharply but she couldn't hide
the anxiety in her voice. eff you don't
calm down, get hold of yourself, you'll
be picking mauve rabbits off the
tablecloths."
Jessica stopped twisting her hand
kerchief and started at her mother.
Then she went over to her and kissed
her
Gam I as bad as that, dear?" she
asked.
81 never knew you to be $3.50"
Her mother CROPPED for the proper
word.
GAIL shots that it? Well I am
all shot. Seems as though l would
fly to bits. Johnnie Wardman's silly
conduct when I refused to marry him
was the last straw"
81 think we had better travel, DEAR"
81 hate travel-people travel-one
is always humping into people,"
doctor Worth might have some
good advice. I think I will send for
him."
Jessica shrugged. 1t was no use
to argue. She didn't believe that
she needed a doctor, but when her
mother said that she thought she
would do thing it always meant
that she would do it.
Mrs Parkman called Dobson and or
dered him to telephone for Doctor
Worth.
"You just said that I have had
many chances to marry. Do you
want to be rid of me?"
The expression on Mrs. Parkman's
face caused Jessica to stop instantly
and then quite contrite, she said, Il
didn't mean it that way. dear, but it
did sound rather queer"
81 thought it might be better for
you-take you out of this terrible Soc
ial whirl. 1 thought perhaps"
Mrs. Parkman stopped abruptly.
"I'm horribly old-fashioned mother.
I'm going to wait until I fall in love-"
Nora came in with memo card.
care you going to dress for the
Norton's tea dansant, Miss?" Nora
asked.
81 cancelled it. I've Cancelled every
thing for this week, Nora and if any
one telephones, Pm out"
Eyes, miss"
"Jessica, you do need complete
rest. 1 never knew you to feel like
going into seclusion since you were
a child"
"Just tired, mother"
She didn't act tired, for she went
to the piano and began to hammer
something laundering from Wagner.
When Doctor Worth came Mrs.
Parkman told him all she knew of
the overdone social whirl that had
brought Jessica to the verge OF a
nervous breakdown. The doctor ex-
amined Jessica and nodded.
doctors always nod. I think it
holsters LIN their confidence in them