The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-09-13

Jason's relatives and 1t had been easy
to allow the deceit, If deceit 1t had
been, to stand.
But now those barriers were to be
broken down and she suddenly realized
that to keep up the fraud so artlessly
begun was going to be exceedingly
difficult. She was not a clever dis
sembler.
II she had followed her usual Gus
tom and been open with Jason's sister,
the dilemma in which she now found
herself would never have arisen.
Granted that her motive had been
worthy one had 1t not been audacious
to make of herself god and withhold
from Margaret Hayden facts she had
had every right to know, facts that be-
longed to her? Such burdens were
given human beings to bear, not to es-
cape from. But If with mistaken kind
ness she had been guided by a pygmy,
short-sighted philosophy, 1t was too
late, reflected Marcia, for her to rem
edy her error In judgment.
But Sylvia-Jason's niece?
With her coming, all the arguments
Marcia had worn threadbare for and
against the exposure Of Jason's true
character presented themselves afresh.
Should she deceive the girl as she had
her mother? Oh should she tell her
the truth?
She was still bordering the question
when the train, with its single car,
came to stop beside the platform.
Three passengers descended.
The first was young Portuguese
woman, dark of face, and carrying a
bullying bag from which protruded gay
bits of embroidery.
Behind her came a slender, blue
eyed girl, burdened not only with her
own suitcase but with a basket APP
parently belonging to a wee, wizened
old lady who followed her.
"Now we must find Henry" the girl
was saying in clear but gentle voice.
"Of course he'll be here. Look! Isn't
that he-the man just driving up in a
car? 1 guessed as much from your
description. You need not have wor-
ried, you see. Good-by, Mrs. Doane.
l hope you'll have lovely visit with
your son."
The little old lady smiled up at her.
"Good-by, my dear. You've taken
care of me like as If you'd been my
own daughter. l amt much used to
jauntin' about, and 1t frets me. Are
your folks here? If not, I'm sure
Henry wouldn't mind"
ooh, somebody'll turn up to meet me,
Mrs. Doane I'll be all right. Good
by"
Then as Marcia watched, she saw
the 1.-THE young creature stoop sud-
denly and kiss the withered cheek.
The next instant she was swinging
up the platform.
The slim figure In It's well-tailored
blue suit; the trinity shod feet; the
small hat so provokingly tilted over the
bright eyes, the wealth Of golden curls
that escaped from beneath 1t all shat
tered Marcia's calculations. She had
thought of Sylvia Hayden as farm
bred-the product of an inland, coun-
try town-a creature starved for
breath of outlook and social oppor.
tunity. 1t was disconcerting to dis
cover that she was none of these things.
Well, if she was chagrined, there
was consolation in seeing that the girl
was equally discounted.
AS she approached Marcia, she ac-
costed her uncertainty with the words
Pardon me. l am looking for a
relative-a Mrs. Howe. You don't hap
pen to know, do you"
''Tm Marcia"
"But thought expected" gasped
the girl.
"And 1 thought expected" Mar
ella mimicked gaily.
For moment they looked searchlngly
into one another's face, then laughed.
Fancy having an aunt like you II
exclaimed the incredulous Sylvia.
"And fancy having a niece like
your
swell, all I can say Is I'm glad ]
came," was the girls retort. II wasn't
altogether sure 1 should be when !
started east. I said to myself: Sylvia
you are taking a big chance. You may
just be wasting your money"
'You may still find it's been wasted"
"No, shan't. know already 1t has
been we'll spent" announced the girl
swat until you see where you're
going"
II am going to Paradise-rm GER
tain of it. The glimpses I've had of
the ocean from the train have con.
WINGED me of that. Do you live where
you can see it, Aunt Marciaf VIII II
be nearby?"
II shall not tell you one thing" Mar.
ella replied. "At least only one, and
that is that 1 fatty refuse to be Aunt
Marcia to you'll 1t makes me feel like
Methuselah. really haven't that
amount of dignity"
"Ah, now my last weak, wavering
doubt Is vanished. Not only am glad
I came but / wish I'd come before"
She saw a shadow fit across her
aunt's face.
Ovo,, xx,arap,t oslad I1ntiI nnvu - nh.