The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-11-06

thing rooted in the very base and
foundation of his soul, cried out
against accepting such simple ex-
PLANTATION. He was trembling and
shaken with a vast and perilous
excitement, like one who stands be-
fore closed door, long locked, in
which now the key is fixed, waiting
only for him to turn it, and open
the door, and enter in.
Suddenly his hands wavered on
the wheel, so that Mrs. Breeding
caught and steadied it; and she
cried sharply:
"Ned!"
"It's all right" he said huskily.
"I'm upset, that's ALL" And he add
ed: GIVE a mind to turn around
and 90 home. don't feel like see
ing people,"
"Nonsense!" she insisted. cts
what you need"
"Oh, I suppose So" he assented.
But she watched him thereafter
with an alert attention, till they
came to their destination, where
other cars were already parked,
and alighted and went in. On the
way up the walk to the door, she
held his arm, her eyes full of solicit
tude, till he smiled at her reassur-
ingly.
"I need a cocktail" he said.
"That will pick me up"
And in fact, once in the house,
greeting a dozen people in success
sion, he was swept out of his own
distracting thoughts. He gulped a
cocktail and another, and felt new
strength flow into him. In the draw
ing-room he recognized, standing
with Mrs. Jordan and two or three
others by the hearth, Professor Car
Isle, who was young Dams father.
The professor was small, lean,
gray old man with clear blue eyes;
and Doctor Breeding, with an inn
pulse to cultivate the other as a
possible ally against Dan and Nam
cy, crossed to speak to him.
AS he did so, young woman by
the professors elbow turned to
watch him approach; and Doctor
Breeding unconsciously paused as
he saw her countenance. She was
tall, her glance serene and steady.
AS though she marked his hesita-
ton, there was a faint amusement
in her eyes; but after that momen-
tary pause, Doctor Breeding went
on, and Mrs. Jordan welcomed him
into the group and made introduce
tons.
"You know Professor Carlisle,
Doctor Breeding? And Mary Ann?
I've put Miss Carlisle beside you
at dinner, Doctor, so you can talk
shop as much as you pleased"
He shook hands with Professor
Carlisle and with the girl. Mary
AIMS hand in his had a strength
which pleased him. He found her
deeply, stirringly beautiful. At Mrs.
Jordan's word, she smiled again;
and Doctor Breeding echoed: "Talk
shop?"
But before Mary Ann could re-
ply, Mrs. Jordan swept her away.
Doctor Breeding and Professor Car
Isle were left together. Doctor
Breeding said casually:
"I've met your son, of course,
Professor; but I didn't know you
had daughter too"
Professor Carlisle smiled fondly.
''She doesn't-circulate as much as
Dan does" he assented. "She's a
registered nurse-takes her profess
| cioy, rofhar cnrinVIc1xy -
''That is apt to be a-sporadic
occupation" Doctor Breeding sug-
gested.
'She was Doctor Romans surgi-
cal nurse until he died." Professor
Carlisle explained. "But since then
-"
The exodus toward the dining
room began. Doctor Breeding found
himself placed at Mrs. Jordan's
right, Mary Ann on his other side.
Mrs. Breeding was at the other end
of the table, beside Professor Car
Isle.
The effect of the cocktails the
Doctor had taken began to pass,
and memory of the tragedy he had
witnessed so short time ago re-
turned to disturb him. By and by
he heard Professor Carlisle at the
other end of the table utter a word
at once strange and vaguely faril-
lar. The word was poltergeist. It
touched some chord of memory in
him, and he tried to hear what the
other was saying; but Mary Ann
just then released herself from the
man beyond her. and smiled and
suggested:
eve don't actually have to talk
shop, l suppose, Doctor Breeding;
hut we ought to say something to
each otherl"
He forgot his interest in Professor
Carlisle. ''Mrs. Jordan contrives
these things so carefully" he as
scented in an amused undertone.
Selves us our cue. You worked
with Doctor Romans, your father
says?"
"For three years." she assented.