The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-27


scurrying about the second floor To-
eating garments which had been
packed away since the last trip.
They think I'm going to Little
America" Mr. Vaughn fumed good
naturedly, indicating the array of
garments piled on the bed and the
sofa in his room.
Mr.. Vaughn was in high good hui
NOR, excited, grumblingly genial.
Jim went with him to the game
room where the fishing equipment,
ready to be packed, covered the
ping-pong table.
Il had to work like the devil
to get the doctors permission to
CO." he said, tenderly unjointing
rods, laying them, flannel wrapped,
in a leather travelling case. THE
time isn't very convenient. I'd
rather not leave home while Cecily's
guest is here. Miss Parker will be
busy getting the youngsters ready
for school. Still, I suppose there's
nothing to worry about"
Nothing at ALL" Jim assured
him. These flies are Beauties
Pretty fine collection" Mr..
Vaughn said with certain degree
of complacence. Pack them care
fully, Jim. Well I'll be-! Who's
been monkeying with this?"
Mr.. Vaughn was examining a
bamboo rod which had been broken
and mended. Jim laughed. I'm
afraid I'm guilty of the mending,"
he said. 1.-The day 1 came here
Susan was fishing in the brook. I
startled her. She fell off the bridge
and broke the rod. l had to make
an attempt to repair the damage
since it was partly roy fault"
! Mot bad job" Mr.. Vaughn was
in too high a state Of anticipation
to be annoyed by a broken rod.
so that's how you wormed your
way into Susan's esteem. Is that
pun?" He twinkled at Jim. II
suppose it is. Funny" he added,
laying aside the bamboo rod,
'she's the only one of the children
who seems to have inherited my
passion for fishing. I'll have to
take her with me some time. She's
as game as a brook trout And
that reminds mel ordered some
casting-rods from New York. They
didn't come this morning. I'll leave
you the address of the camp in
Maine. Will you come up here some
time tomorrow and readiness them
for me?"
Yes, SIR" Jim replied.
Are you comfortable at the rid
ing academy" Mr.. Vaughn asked.
"Oh, yes" Jim smiled. I'm be-
coming an excellent cook. Now that
1 have electricity and a telephone
I feel as though I'm living in
suite at the Ritz"
well, keep an eye on things.
What time is it? Past eleven!" Mr..
Vaughn thrust his watch into his
pocket. Strap up these things for
me. will you? and take them out
to the car"
Mr.. Vaughn finally got off little
after twelve o'clock in furry of
affectionate farewells, the trunk
rack on the sedan piled high with
luggage. Jim did not linger at
"Meadowbrook" after the sedan had
disappeared around the curve in
the drive. He returned. at once,
to the riding academy, avoiding any
conversation with Cecily and clyde
who had dashed in from somewhere
at the last minute to see Mr..
Vaughn off on his fishing trip.
1t had not been difficult to avoid
Cecily and her guest. The after
noon following the last performance
at the theater they had paid him
visit at the riding academy. At the
moment of their arrival Jim had
been converting the office into liv-
ing quarters with Susan's enthusi-
astic but somewhat officious assist
ance The visit had been amicable.
on the surface, at least, mutually
friendly and pleasant. Cecily and
Jeremy had inspected Jim's new
quarters, jokingly admired his un-
esthetic arrangement of a cot and
a kerosene stove, few cooking
utensils, a table and an armchair
borrowed from the MacPherSons.
He had used the subterfuge of a
brush fire endangering the acade-
my to explain his change of resi-
Gence, and it had been accepted
without question.
Jim knew that the call was an
apology, artfully maneuvered by
Cecily, though no mention was
made of the previous evening.
Clyde was agreeable, apparently in
terested in the project.
And Cecily had been radiant that
afternoon. The fatigue of the eve
ming before had vanished. If, for
a time, her faith in Jeremy had
been shaken, Jim inferred that it
hao been completely restored.
She had had that shining look of
happiness whenever. since then,
Jim had had a glimpse of her. He
told himself that he was glad she
and Jeremy had adjusted their diff
ficulties. 1t was possible to believe
that during the busy working day
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