The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-01-29


rose leaves Mrs. MACPHERSON pre-
served. Odd how familiar it seemed.
The cottage at ''Whitehal' had been
quite different. 1t was the atmos-
phere that he recognized-the clean
illness, that faint fragrance of herbs.
There were photographs of him;
small Jim astride pony, an older
Jim in his first suit of long trousers,
a snapshot of Kay and himself on
the snow-covered terrace at white
hail." the photograph which had APP
peared in the university yearbook
when he was a senior at Prince
ton.
The photographs, carefully cher
ished, were proof of the MacPher-
sons affection for him. Jim's throat
frightened. Why should he be
ashamed of the emotion he felt?
Sincere affection was rare enough.
Why shouldn't he admit that he
was moved?
A voice broke in upon Jim's re-
Elections, deep voice roughened by
a burr, taciturn, familiar.
well, lad!"
There was a welcome in the
words. Jim turned to the door.
"Hello!" he said smiling.
Macpherson came into the room,
tall, spare, and little stopped, his
face lined and tanned.
$50 you came to see u.s."
Macpherson had no gift for words
but the clap of his hand was cordial
and his eyes, deeply set under shay
gy brows, shone with quiet pleas
ure.
Mrs. Macpherson, coming in with
a tray, spoke with her customary
vigor.
"Isn't this a pleasure, Andy?"
she exclaimed, beaming upon them
impartially. "Aren't we glad to see
Jamie?" She cleared a table to
make room for her tray. "He's
not to spoil his supper" Happiness
dubbed in her voice, wreathed her
round high-colored face in an expan-
sive smile. "These cookies won't
hurt, though, I guess. It's Won
der they weren't burnt to a crisp.
I was never SO surprised in my
life. Sit down, jamie"
The ginger-beer was cold and re-
freshing. Jim relaxed in the pat
ent rocker, his feet propped on
hassock. Mrs. Macpherson capably
directed the conversation. She had
a hundred questions to ask. How
was his uncle now? We're he and
Mrs. King liking California? Had
"Whitehall' been sold? She and An
dy hadn't heard. We're Miss Kath-
crimes babies fair or dark like Mr..
Victor?
Jim answered her questions in
detail Uncle James was improving
slowly. It was doubtful that he
would ever be entirely well again.
Aunt Emily liked California though
she missed her friends in the East.
"Whitehall'' had not been sold.
cts probably in an awful condi-
ticn," Mrs. Macpherson said, "I'd
not want to see it again."
A nostalgia silence filled the room
for an interval. Each, with vary
ing emotions, was thinking of the
old order of things, gone forever,
perhaps.
Presently the conversation turned
to the MacPhersons and their pres
ent situation.
81 understood that you meant to
retire" Jim said.
eve did," Macpherson replied.
"We rented little place. Meant
to buy if we liked it,"
Didn't you like it?" Jim asked.
''It answered the purpose" Mac
Pherson looked steadily at the bowl
of his pipe. The lines in his face
seemed deeper. ''The bank went
up" he continued, after moment.
eve lost all our savings"
"Oh!" Jim was unable to express
his sympathy more completely.
Words seemed pitifully inadequate.
A place of their own had been the
MacPhersons' life long dream.
They'd worked for it and saved for
it. No one was more deserving
than they.
cts hard at our age," MacPher-
sons voice was not quite steady.
'It seems as though"
cat our age!" Mrs. Macpherson
interrupted. "You talk as though
we were on our way to the grave
yard. Well, you can go if you like,
Andy Macpherson! AS for me, ex-
pect to live a good long time yet.
There are things I'm curious about.
I mean to see how some of it ends,
as much as possibly cam"
A little of the gloom lifted from
MacPherson's countenance. Some
thing like a chuckle came from the
easy chair.
"That's right, Bessie" he said.
1T don't doubt that sheer curiosity
will keep you on top of the Sod"
Retired" Mrs. Macpherson con-
tinued. "The time I had with the
man! He was as hard to manage
as a child in the house on a rainy
day. Always under my feet"
care you satisfied here?" Jim
asked. do you like the placer"