The Coolidge examiner., 1937-03-11

JIM sympathy left Tommy and
centered on the woman crossing the
lawn. Poor soul, martyr in the
arena surrounded by lion cubs. No
wonder she looked furried and dis
tressed.
"Good-afternoon," he said.
She glanced at him vaguely,
squirting her eyes. She was near
sighted, Jim surmised and sensitive
about glasses. He removed his hat
and smiled.
She looked at him more intently.
How do you do" she said. Gee
lily isn't here. At least 1 think she
isn't. She took her horse out about
an hour ago. I told her she'd have
sunstroke." There were plaintive
:iotes in the precise lady-like voice
II told her it was too hot to think
of riding"
He doesn't know Cecily!" Susan
chanted. He came to see the Mac
Phersons. He doesn't know Cecily
at ALL"
"Ohl I beg your pardon.
thought" Miss Parker did not
complete the sentence. Her atten-
ton shifted from Jim to Susan.
You're drenched to the skin!" she
exclaimed. go upstairs and
change your clothes!"
Susan's expression became mutt
nous
II won't!" she said with empha-
sis.
"Susan!" Miss Parker's flush
deepened. The pink tide crept up
to the edge of her hair and down
to the brooch which fastened her
neat collar of hand made lace. 'Su-
san! Do as I say!"
The mutiny in the small plain
face threatened protra cted rebel
lion.
You'd better" Jim said. 81
would if I were you"
She looked up at him question
ingly. Jim's expression held a
threat. She lowered her eyes,
flushed, looked steadily at her toes.
"All right" she said
Miss Parker gave Jim a grateful
glance. She seemed, noticeably, to
increase in height and authority.
Come along" she said briskly,
her hand on Susan's shoulder, You
need a bath. I've never in all my
life seen such dirty little girl"
Susan wrenched free from the re-
straining hand. Miss Parker forti-
fed by unexpected support, ad-
vanced again upon Tommy. Susan
returned to Jim.
The MacPhersons live in the
house in the orchard" she said
without looking at him directly.
Thank you," Jim said. I'm
sure can find it.
She fingered. There was, appar-
emily, something more that she
wanted to say. Presently it came.
There aren't any fish in that
brook-ever. l was just making be-
lieve"
why not?" Jim asked Il have
moments of pretending, too. It's
fun to make believe"
''Susan!" Miss Parker's voice
held bugle tone of discipline. She
had, apparently, succeeded in max
ing an impression on Tommy.
Run along" Jim advised. Step
on it-Sue"
She took a few steps toward the
house, turned, came back to Jim.
Il just want to tell you" Her
eyes lifted slowly, Jim smiled down
at her. She smiled too, a swift shy
smile which made her almost pret-
ty. you're not like the others"
she said breathlessly. Il like you.
You've got some sense!"
The house in the orchard was low
and white, with easement windows
and boxes filled with blossoming
plants. Jim walked over f1agstones
to the entrance under the small
portico roof. The house door stood
open and the screen was fastened
inside. He knocked, little ashamed
of the emotion he felt. Six feet one
and a lump in his throat! He
knocked again, so hard that he
scraped his knuckles.
A collie came bounding around
the side of the cottage, barking,
growing deep in his throat, making
threatening fuss.
Down Jock!" Jim called. "Quiet,
old man. It's all right. Don't you
remember me?"
The dog became more amiable.
He advanced tentatively, shifted,
rubbed against Jim's legs.
"Liar!" Jim said, m lin 6.
You're an ingratiating hound"
Footsteps sounded inside the cot
tage, heavy, hurrying, familiar.
Mrs. Macpherson appeared at the
door.
Jim laughed. Hello, Mrs. Mac"
he said.
Mrs. MacPherson's bright dark
eyes peered intently through the
SC eening. Her expression changed
with the sWiftness of magic.
'It's-is it Jamie?" she asked.
Jim cleared his throat. YES"
he said. ITS jamie"