The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-04-09

mission at the enQ OF the HrSt dCG'
Cecily, too, had risen, was walking
up the aisle. She saw him and
waved. They met in the small
crowded lobby.
"Hello!" she said.
"Hello! How about a breath of
air?"
''That's what I'm looking for"
81 thought perhaps you were look
ing for me-"
mo" She smiled. "You are
nice surprise"
They stood on the steps of the
theater. Jim Lit her cigarette, lit
his own, flicked the match away.
care you interested in the drama,
Miss Vaughn?"
She laughed. 1--WE are being po-
lite, aren't we? That's so stupid.
Jim, do you want to see the rest of
the play?"
81 can take it or leave it."
Lets leave it, then. I've seen
it four times this summer. It's one
of the best things Jerry does" Her
voice frightened. Lets run over
to Dutch's."
"How about Jeremy?"
"We'll be back here by the time
the performance is over"
Jim took her arm. "All right"
he said. Lets CO."
They walked to the fawn-colored
roadster.
Twill you driver" she asked.
''Want me to-"
"Please. Pm awfully tired" She
settled into the seat with a little
sigh of relief. 1--WE been driving
all afternoon. We went up to New
Hope and along the canal. I adore
Jerry but I won't ride in car he
drives"
There were only a few scattered
groups in Dutch's garden, two or
three couples moving about the
floor. A waiter led them to seclud-
ed stall at some distance from the
orchestra.
"Want to dancer" Jim asked
when the waiter had taken their or
der.
She shook her head.
''Im weary. I just want to sit.
You're so restful, jim"
"Thank you," he said.
81 mean it. I like to be with
you" She pulled off her hat, rested
her head against the trellis behind
her. She looked weary, Jim thought,
dispirited. There were faint shad-
owS Under her ewes
what is it Cecily?" Jim asked.
"What is troubling you? Do you
want to tell me?"
"Of course. That's why I kid
naped you. Will you listen, Jim?"
"My one accomplishment"
The waiter brought tall glasses.
Cecily took a few sips and set her
glass aside.
otis jerry" she said, after
moment.
"You astonish me-" he said. 81
thought it was the new issue of
government bonds"
She smiled family. 'Do you mind
if I talk about Jerry?" she asked.
II mean-after the night we danced
will IL IluIt yOu, Jill!
"That isn't important"
81 think it is" She glanced up
at him f1eetingly, looked down at
her fingers swapping the purple and
scarlet pod.
Jim bent toward her across the
table.
"Cecily," he asked gravely, Twill
you try not to think of what hap
pened that night? You can't entire
ly, I suppose. Neither, of course,
can I. But don't let it spoil our
well, friendship, for want of more
adequate word. Anything that can
say will make me sound self-sacri-
ficing and noble. I don't feel espe-
cially noble. It's really selfshness,
perhaps. want you to talk to me-"
The smile vanished. Her express
sion was weary again. "I've had
an exhausting day. I've been trying
to make Jerry see that he should go
with the Cherry Hollow company on
their tour this fall. You see I've
talked to Father. He can't put
money into play for Jerry now.
He explained it all to me. I had no
idea how much he's lost during the
depression. But I'm afraid Jerry
won't understand. He'll think it's
prejudice or something. And I'm
afraid he has talked about Father
backing play for him."
Jim knew that her apprehension
was correct. Jeremy had talked.
The conversation he had overheard
in the theater made him aware of
that. He waited in silence for Geo
lily to continue.
81 don't like the idea of not see
ing Jerry all fall and half the win
ter" she went on. 'I'n miss him
awfully. But / think it's a splendid
opportunity. The company has a
certain amount of prestige. Wesley
North is an excellent director. The
experience would be valuable"
Jerry doesn't like road trips?"
Jim asked.
For an instant her eyes flashed
with indignation.