The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-02-05

with box and across the lawn at the
foot of the terrace, his brief glimpse
into the private life of the Vaughns
gave him a rather clear idea of
what he'd have been in for if he
had followed Mrs. Macs sugges-
ton. He'd have needed the tact of
a master diplomat, the strategy OF
Sherlock Holmes, the disciplin-
airy tactics of the United States ma
rines. 1t seemed great deal to ex-
pect for SIS a week.
And yet, it might be amusing to
stay
What had inspired that idea?
Amusement brought Jim to mo-
mentary standstill. He discovered,
surprisingly, that under his sur
face preoccupations the thought had
remained in his mind. At least it
would be change. He was so
everlastingly tired of his present
existence. Impulse and instinct were
in favor of the experiment. But he
was through with impulse. He was
going back to Long Island. He was
going to marry Lenore
The reluctance he felt alarmed
him. Was no emotion permanent?
He'd been so terribly in love with
Lenore. How he had suffered when
she told him that she was going to
marry Frederic Ames! Kay had
been bridesmaid. She had given
him an agonizing account of the
wedding he had refused to attend.
He had suffered in brooding silence.
His noble grief had set him apart
from commonplace mortals. iris
tam and Isolde, Romeo and Juliet.
Jim and Lenore.
He had thought that Lenore was
the love of his life. What state
he'd been in when he learned, two
years ago, that she was divorcing
Freddy Ames and returning to her
family in Roselyn. The sleepless
nights he'd spent then! Despair had
favored with NORWOOD and gall
his bright anticipations. He couldn't
ask her to marry him. He was no
longer his uncle's heir.
And then it hadn't mattered. The
first time he saw Lenore again he
realized that he did not love her.
She hadn't changed disappointingly.
She was as lovely looking as when
he had first known her. The TRACE
dy of an unhappy marriage had
given her a new wistful expression.
He simply did not love her. He
had realized, with establishment and
poignant regret, that what he had
considered the love of a lifetime
was boys infatuation
Jim's airnless course had brought
him again to the drive. He walked
between the double line of oaks and
cedars down toward the bridge
across the stream. The plum-col-
ored dusk had deepened. The col
lie pressed close against Jim's legs,
whimpering at recurring rumbles of
thunder. Jock was terrified in a
storm.
Jim was, at the moment, unaware
of the dogs increasing fright. The
problem of his immediate future abb
sorbed his attention. And yet it
wasn't problem. He was going to
marry Lenore. He knew that she
loved him. And he was fond of her.
Wasn't that enough?
The collie whimpered more sharp
ly. The sound caught Jim's atten-
ton. He looked down. The dog
had squatted on his launches and
was licking one of his front paws.
whats the matter, old fellow?"
he asked. He stopped to investi-
gate and found that Jock had
stepped on a horseshoe lying in the
grass at the edge of the drive. One
of the projectin, nails had pene-
trated into the sots part of the paw.
The injury was not serious. Jim
gave the collie a reassuring pat
and Strengthened, the horseshoe in
his hand.
Here was luck! Jim examined the
horseshoe. 1t had been cast re-
Gently, he thought, the iron had not
rusted; the nails were all there. The
shoe was small. It had been forged,
he surmised, for a riding-horse,
lady's horse, almost certainly.
A sound scattered Jin's straying
fancies, the unmistakable sound of
hoof beats on the graveled drive.
Cinderella in search Of her slipper,
perhaps. He glanced down the
driveway and whistled softly, his
eyes lighting with pleasure.
The horse coming up the lane was
a chestnut mare, small, spirited,
beautifully proportioned. Jim loved
horses. He stood watching the
mares approach in delight and ad-
miration.
AS the horse drew nearer, his ex-
preston changed. The mare was
limping badly. He stepped out into
the lane, only vaguely conscious of
the fact that the rider was girl.
She saw him and frightened the
reins. The mare came to a stop.
whats the idea?" Jim asked
sternly.
An amazed exclamation was his
only reply. Jim scarcely glanced
at the rider. His concern was for