The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-02-26

ideas and start fuss"
II suppose that is difficult to
avoid" Jim said.
"It's fierce! I'm different from
most fellows, I guess. I'm sort Of
sympathetic. Now Dolly - Gosh,
Jim, If Dad should find out-Maybe
you could talk to her." he suggested
hopefully. you've been to college.
Maybe you could"
II don't know about that" Jim
replied doubtfully. "You know how
it is. She probably wouldn't like
me to interfere"
"You could try, anyway, couldn't
you? mean I'm pretty desperate,
Jim. If Dad should find out, I'll
run away. I'll join the navy and go
to China, or somewhere"
The boy was in earnest. There
was bravado in the threat but there
was determination, too. Jim be-
came little alarmed.
Don't go yet," he advised. "I'd
wait if I were you"
Tommy looked up eagerly. "You
mean you'll talk to herr" he asked.
"I'll try. Give me the letter."
The envelope changed hands.
"That's swell of you, Jirn," Tom
my said, the weight of anxiety lift
ing. Gee. don't know how to
thank you"
'Better wait. I may not sue
ceed."
Tommy's lifting spirits dropped
again. "That's So" he said. He
sighed sentimentally. "She was fond
of me, I guess. Poor little girl!
I certainly feel like a cad. Well,
cheerio, Jim!" He attempted a
jaunty salute. It did not quite come
off. Jim perceived that the boy
was really frightened.
"Cheerio!" He returned the sa-
lutte. The car moved slowly for
ward. Tommy wandered into the
shadows at the side of the drive, his
shoulders hunched, his attitude
dispirited and forlorn. keep your
chin up!" Jim called encouraging
ly. "We aren't licked yet, old
mani"
Tommy made no reply. The car
picked up speed. AS Jim drove
through the gateway and along the
road to the village he took with him
a mental picture of Tommy NOV
ing dejectedly into the shadows, his
shoulders hunched under the prep
school blazer. Ridiculous young dom
key! Of all the preposterous ideas!
Tommy fancied himself as a DASH
ing Don Juan, debonaire man
about town. He needed the disci-
pline of a military school. He
needed to be made to work on the
farm. He needed
He might have relieved the boys
mind at once. There was a practi-
cal reason, though, for keeping him
on the rack. Tommy had delivered
a weapon into his hands. He'd use
it to extract a little industry from
the youngster. Tommy would work
off his school conditions or he'd
know the reason why. He had found
a way to bring Tommy to time.
Jim accelerated the speed of the
car. The prospect of an evening
with Dolly was stimulating. They'd
60 to "Dutch's,' the beer-garden
he had discovered over near Cherry
Hollow. It would be fun to dance
with Dolly tonight.
Tonight he would be himself
again, not the playboy Jim whom
Lenore glorified and cherished, not
Jim the extra man at the Vaughns,
but the Jim he both regretted and
approved, the Jim who followed va
grant impulses, the Jim who could
become agreeably sentimental over
moonlight and "The Blue Danube"
and dancing out-of-doors in the soft
summer night.
He'd give Dolly the time of her
life. "Dee dunn deedeedeedum"
Funny kid. He liked her.
Good Lord!-
A car rushed past him, speeding
like a rocket under the arching
trees. He recognized the sound of
the motor, the fawn-colored enam-
ell, the long smooth lines of the open
roadster. It was Cecily's car with
Cecily at the wheel, driving some.
where, alone. A feeling of irrita-
ton routed the melody of the song.
Little fool! Jim thought grimly.
She'd break her neck or be arrest
ed! Where was she going? Whom
was she going to meet? Was She?
''Nice evening, Mister" Dolly
said, settling herself into the Mac
Phersons' coupe. "a moon and ev-
erything."
'Made to order" Jim slipped in
behind the wheel. II wired the
weather man."
Nonsense. A broad white road.
A summer night lavishly sprinkled
with stars. Jim recaptured the feel
ing of gaiety he'd had earlier in
the evening, had and lost in the mo-
ment that Cecily's roadster had shot
past him through the village. Dolly
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