The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-02-19

bright-eyed, her hair curling about
her temples from under band of
yellow ribbon.
''Here's the ball." Jim said brief
ly.
THANK you" She fingered for a
moment, breathing rapidly, smooth
ing the damp curls back from her
forehead with the palm of her hand.
"You are useful" she added mock
ingly, "as well as ornamental. I
think you can stay"
Jim hadn't intended to give her
the letter. He'd had no such idea
in his mind when he had slipped 1t
into his pocket. The idea presented
itself as a mild retaliation. He
could make no verbal response to
her mocking words. He couldn't
shake her. The tribute from Jere-
my Clyde might give her an un-
pleasant moment. It should, Jim
reflected. 1t was certainly a mushy
letter. He drew the sheet of paper
from his pocket.
''I think this was intended for
yeu,:. he said and, without waiting
for any reply from Cecily, went on
to the vegetable garden.
A storm the preceding day had
beaten down the bean-vines. jim
set about the task of repairing the
wire screening on which they grew.
AS he measured and hammered,
as he fastened the vines against the
screening, he considered the posi-
BILE results of his latest impulse.
Cecily might think that he had
meant to warn her, he conjectured
Hadn't he? Certainly not. Well,
possibly. Not that he cared whether
or not she got into hot water. He'd
been thinking of his employer. Mr..
Vaughn was in no condition for an
interview with his daughter. He'd
wanted to give Cecily an opportu-
nifty to avoid the interview, if posi-
BILE, or, at any rate, to arrange miti-
eating alibis and excuses.
She had, moreover, arrived at a
definite conclusion. Jim was made
aware of Cecily's mental activities
concerning him when she came into
the garden some time later. He
saw her making her way toward
him between neat rows of cabbages
and tomatoes, looking scarcely
older than Susan in her short,
sleeveless tennis-frock and the rib
bon around her hair. He devoted
himself to the bean-vines, whis-
ting, in an attempt at nonchalance.
Cecily halted her progress foot
or two from Jim.
''Hello," she said amiably.
The whistling ceased. Jim glanced
away from the bean-vines, assum-
ing what he devoutly hoped was a
respectful expression.
eyes, Miss Cecily," he said in the
manner of an extra man who knew
his place.
Cecily smiled but her eyes were
hooking.
81 just wanted to tell you," she
said coolly, "that I know all about
you"
Jim remained silent.
81 knew you weren't a chauffeur
or a gardener or whatever you're
supposed to be the first time saw
you, the evening in the drive when
you were so concerned for Lady. "
Still Jim made no reply. He stood
beside her among the bean-vines,
deferentially attentive. She was
lovely looking. Truth compelled
that admission although he did not
like her. She used an ingratiating
perfume. He was reminded of the
woods in spring, arbutus, trilium,
"You and Father must have
thought me singularly unobserv-
ing" she continued in low silken
voice. "That's my only quarrel with
either of you. I resent having my
intelligence questioned"
This time Jim was too astonished
to reply.
Ordinary odd job men," she
went on, stressing the adjective
mockingly, don't wear English
shoes and tailored riding breeches.
We've never before had an extra
man who read Conrad and received
kilograms from ladies and whistled
college songs while he tied up the
bean-vines.
Jim suppressed smile.
"We've never had a chauffeur"
she continued, "who was devoted to
the New Yorker and Lynn Fon-
tame, or connoisseur of benedic-
tine. That's what I resent" Her
voice lost its silken tone, became
slightly edged with malice. 'How
could you and Father not have an
ticipated that I'd have known you
were here to spy on me, to break
up my friendship with Jeremy
Clyde? How could you have thought
me so childishly stupid?"
Comprehension dawned through
the bewilderment of ideas which
logged Jim's understanding. So that
was it! She thought he was some
sort of a private detective. 1t would
never have occurred to him-not
| in a million wears.