The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-12
wNU Service

lion and got away with 1t. It was
his turn to laugh.
Barney had been disappointed. He
had looked for something quite diff
ferent from what had happened
when Hodge had accused Merry OF
lying. "Maybe it wasn't a nice
place to do it, Frankie" he had
said, "but l never could have de-
tanned my fist from popping him on
the nose. Now what'll he think OF
yer"
But what Hodge would think
hadn't put the pucker into Merri-
wells forehead. He was annoyed
at himself. Let Hodge think what
he pleased and be hangedl Frank
could laugh that off, but the sting
of being made to feel cheap by a
girl with a pretty face and a head
as empty as hole in a doughnut
was what got him down. 1t never
had happened before.
So Frank Topped around In bed
quite a lot that night and punched
his pillow twenty times, though the
pillow wasn't at all to blame. Then,
having wasted the most of the hours
for sleep in such foolish gymnastics,
he fell into soggy doze just be-
fore dawn and had a tussle with a
bear that caught him and shook him
until he awoke. The bear proved
to be Barney Mulloy, who had q
hand on his shoulder.
"Will you never wake up, lad?"
said Barney. eff that's the way you
sleep you need an earthquake for
an alarm clock"
Bright sunshine streamed In
through the open windows. There
was a sea tang in the clean morn
ing air. This was another day. Steel
springs seemed to shoot Frank Out
of the bed.
"Great snailsl" he exclaimed. "1t
must be late"
cit was the bell for breakfast got
me up some time ago." said Null
10y. "I thought you'd beat me to
it, but you wasn't there when I got
down, so I came back to see what
was keeping ye."
"Well, 60 right back again." said
Frank, land take my apologies to
the cook and waitress. Tell them
I'll be there before they can boil
and serve a couple of three-minute
eggs"
He came down smiling, but Be.
linda Snodd gave him no answering
smile when she placed the three
minute eggs before him. The re.
Spouse to his pleasant good morn.
ing'' was a slight nod that seemed
to be worked by remote control
But she brought fried bacon and
hot rolls and wild strawberry jam
and fragrant coffee to keep the eggs
company, and that at least was
cheerful.
Barney winked. "There's a Bit
of change in the weather." he re-
marked. cts cooler this morning.
Merry didn't let the change spoil
his appetite. He treated that break.
fast right. Nor did he seem to no.
tice the absence of Hodge from the
table. He got along nicely without
him there, anyhow.
After they had left the dining
room, Mulloy explained that Bart
had eaten earlier. Then following
a brief chat with Miss Snodd in the
front hall, he had made himself
scarce.
81 stretched my ears and heard
a word or two of what they were
saying in the hail." Barney grinned'
''It was something about a picnic.
Now is it another spree they're
cooking up?"
Search me-" said Frank indiffer.
emily.
"Well, If it is I'll give you odds
we won't be in on it."
Don't make me cry, Barney. It's
such a lovely morning"
Later Merriwen got on the phone
and made an appointment to call
on Professor Scotch in his study al
eleven o'clock. The professor would
be free to talk with him at that
hour.
'Did We mention me, Frank?"
asked Mulloy anxiously.
"Not over the phone but will