The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-09-20

my mistake. I did forget 1t, I'll
confess; and what's more l probably
always shall. To me you are just
girl I'd be head-over-heels in love with
If were man. 1 don't blame all the
clans, Holsters, and founders for flock
ing over here to make love to you."
stop talking nonsense"
"But 1t isn't nonsense. It's the truth.
You certainly are not deluding your
self into thinking these men come gal
livanting out here over the flats with
the mere philanthropic purpose of see
ing you don't starve to death, do you"
| Sylvia demanded.
perhaps they come to see you,"
hedged Marcia feebly.
"Me! Now Marcia, pray do not
resort to deceit and attempt to poke
| this legion of mermen off on me. AS
a relative, 1 insist on having a truth
full, respectable aunt. Consider my
youth. Isn't it your Christian duty to
set me a good example? Whether you
wed any of these nautical worshipers
or not is your own affair. But at least
honesty compels you to acknowledge
they're your property"
A shadow, fleet as the rift in sum-
mer cloud, passed over Marcia's face,
but transient as it was Sylvia, sensl-
lively attuned and alert to changes Of
mood in others, noticed it.
what little beast / am, Marcia"
she cried, throwing her arm impulsive-
| ~ about the other woman. "Forgive
my thoughtlessness. l wouldn't have
hurt you for the world. You know
| 1 never saw Uncle Jason. He left
home when I was a child and Is no
reality to me. Even mother remem-
bered him only as he was when boy.
| Mother felt sorry, hurt that Uncle
Jason should have left home as he did,
and never come back to see her. He
was an impulsive, hot-headed boy and
she said he resented her watchfulness
and authority. But even though he
ran away in moment of anger, one
would think years Of absence would
have smoothed away his resentment.
"Jason-Jason loved your mother"
Marcia murmured in voice scarcely
audible. Il am sure of that"
But if he loved her, why didn't he
come to see her? 1 know it was long
| journey, but if he could only have
come once-just once. 1t would have
meant so much! !"
Men are selfish-unfeeling. They
forget" replied Marcia, bitterly. "You
| give your life 10 them and they toss
aside your love and devotion as If 1t
were so much rubbish"
The outburst, sharp with pain, burst
from her involuntarily, awing Sylvia
into silence.
What did she know of Jason, that
| dim heritage of her childhood? OF
Marcia? OF their life together, she
suddenly asked herself.
To cover the awkwardness of the
moment, she bent to caress Prince Hal
who had risen and stood, alert and
listening beside her.
Only an instant passed before Mar
cha spoke again-this time with visible
effort to recapture her customary
manner.
Suppose we have lobster Newburg
this noon,' suggested she. "Tll get the
chafng-dish. What's the matter, Hal,
| old man? You look worried. Don't
tell me you hear more fish swimming
our way?"
| The nose of the setter quivered and,
| going to the window, he growled.
"He does hear something" asserted
Sylvia. "What do you suppose it ISL"
"Gulls, most likely. They circle
above the house in Clouds" was Mar
cia's careless answer 1.-THE Prince
regards them as his natural enemies
He delights to chase them up the
beach and send them whirling into the
air. Apparently he resents their chat
| ter"
Again the dog growled.
| Almost Immediately a hand fumbled
I with the latch, and as the door swung
open, a man staggered blindly into the
room.
He was hatless, wet to the skin, and
shivering with cold, and before Mar
cha could reach his side, he lurched
| forward and fell at her feet.
"Quick, Sylvia, close the door and
heat some broth. The poor fellow Is
exhausted. He's chilled to the bone"
"Who Is he?"
"No one 1 know-a stranger. Bring
that pillow and help me to slip 1t un-
der his head. Wen let him rest where
he is q moment"
Her fingers moved to the bronzed
wrist.
"He's all right" she whispered.
"Just cold and worn out. He'll be him
self presently,
She swept the matted hair, lightly
sprinkled with gray, from the mans
forehead and wiped his face.
An interesting face 1t was-intelli-
gent and high-bred, with well-cIt fea-
lures and firm, determined chin.
A sweater of blue wool, blue serge
suit, socks of tan and sport shoes to
match them chung to the tall, slender
figure, and on the hand lying across it
sparkled a diamond sunk in band Of