The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-11-27
CHAPTER v

CHAPTER v
1t was not wholly true that Mary
Ann saw no change in Doctor
Breeding. She did not confess this
even to Dan; yet no woman can
be wholly unconscious of the fact
that mans thoughts are bound
tight around her.
A day or two after that trip to
Kennebunk together, disturbed by
her own perception of the develop
ing situation, Mary Ann came to
the Doctor to suggest giving up
her employment with him.
81 think Dan and Father need to
have me more at home," she said
evasively. "To keep the house run
ming smoothly"
He said seriously: II can under
stand the need for you there; but
there is also real need for you
here"
"You could get some one"
He spoke directly, with a disarm-
ing frankness. Lets be straight
forward about this" he urged. II
know what you're thinking. You're
ill at ease, since our drive to-
gether the other night. You sus-
rect that-my interest in you is
rather more than PROFESSIONAL"
Her cheeks famed; and he said
with a chuckle: II suppose that
suspicion on your part is not un-
natural; but Mary Ann, if it will
reassure you, / guarantee that I'm
not in danger of falling in love with
you"
"Heavens!" she protested, laugh
ing. 81 never thought that! You
must think me insufferably conceit-
ed!"
He shook his head. "Not at ALI"
You know that l like you. l ad-
mire your ability, but I like you
personally too. Very much indeed.
But you need have no least mis-
giving, Mary Ann" He added So
berly: Sand in all seriousness, I
do need you here. You are in
valuable to me in my work. We
can save a good many lives to-
gether, you and l."
In the end she did stay. He
had, by stating her thoughts in plain
words, shrewdly succeeded in max
ing them ridiculous, and so destroy
ing any reason she might have
lad for leaving him.
But also, she wished to stay. She
found in this association with his
work a daily pride and wonder. He
had healing magic in his fingers.
He did miracles, without apparent
ly realizing that they were mir
acles. She saw him perform opera
tons which her training told her
were well-nigh hopeless; yet the
patient proceeded to swift and COM
plete recovery.
Late in June, Mrs. Breeding and
Nancy went to the lake to open the
house for the summer, and the Doc
tor was left alone in Cambridge.
Mary Ann suggested one night that
he dine with them; but Doctor
Breeding declined.
81 suspect your father IS little
bored with me-" he said. And he
added: "I'm dining with Terrell
tonight. I hope he will spend the
weekend at the lake with me. +.
BY the way, when can you and Dan
come up there? Sometime during
August, say?" ..
81 know Dan will want to-" she
asserted, added evasively: "I'm
not sure, myself"
But he insisted. "You must
come. Myra and I like to have
young people around. I suppose
it makes us feel a bit younger our
selves"
you're the youngest man I
know" she assured him, smiling
ly; but she did not promise to ac-
cept this invitation.
He did dine that night with Jer-
rell; and Terrell asked: Flows
Nancy? had no chance to see
her before she went to the lake"
"You'd better run up with me
over the weekend" Doctor Greed
ing suggested. "Myra will be glad
to have you, and Nancy too. I
know"
To this Terrell readily agreed.
They arranged, before they part
ed, that Terrell should accompany
Doctor Breeding to the lake Fri
day night; and at Jerrell's sugges-
ton they chartered seaplane and
made the trip by air. Doctor Greed
ing telephoned ahead. and when
they landed in the open water in
front of the island, a boat put off to
meet them, Nancy at the wheel,
some one beside her. Doctor Greed
ing with a quick resentment and
concern recognized Dan Carlisle. He
had not anticipated the possibility
that this young man would be here,
and regretted it; and when they
were in the boat, he said almost
CURLY:
"Hullo, Dan. Didn't expect to
! - x,1x.