The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-04-16
@ Ida Larrimore.
WNU Service.

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 UNI
esthetic arrangement of cot and
a kerosene stove, a few cooking
utensils, a table and an armchair
borrowed from the MacPhersons.
He had used the subterfuge of
brush fire endangering the acade-
my to explain his change of resi-
dence, and it had been accepted
without question.
Jim knew that the call was an
apology, artfully Unanswered 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
had 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
when pressing duties crowded out
thought and speculation. 1t was
more difficult at night Alone in his
new quarters, attempting to read
or check over bills, sitting alone in
the movies, riding the one horse al
ready purchased for the stable
along the infrequently travelled
back country roads, even on the
one or two occasions when, break
ing his resolve, he stopped in at
the drugstore to talk to Dolly, his
thoughts, never far from the sub
ject, returned to the evening he and
Cecily had gone to Dutch's.
She had been troubled that eve
ming. She had questioned her re-
lationship with Jeremy. She had
never done that before. He had
felt very close to her. Had she
thought again of what he had told
her? Probably not. His symbolism
had been inept. He probably hadn't
gotten his meaning across. She had
defended him in thoughts. II don't
suppose you really liked picking
beans and changing tires" The dar-
ling!
Late in the afternoon following
Mr.. Vaughn's departure, Jim drove
to the station to inquire for the
package which he was to readiness.
The expressman told him that it
had been delivered at Meadow
brook" earlier in the afternoon. Jim
drove out to the estate, parked his
car at the side entrance of the
house and went into the hall.
A low voice murmuring in the
living-room attracted his attention.
He walked to the door and stood
looking in, smiling at what he saw.
Susan was, apparently, putting her
self through dress rehearsal for
some impending ceremony. She
wore pale peach-colored frock,
tight-waisted, quantity ruffied, with
a sash of a deeper tone and a
matching ribbon binding her taffy-
colored hair. She stood before a
long mirror, practicing a curtsey,
murmuring unintelligible words,
casting an occasional glance at her
feet festive in peach-colored socks
and white slippers tied with bows.
"Hello!" Jim said.
She whirled around from the mir
ror, a guilty flush staining her
cheeks.
whats the idea?" Jim asked,
smiling. "Are you going to be pre-
scented at court?"
"I'm going to be in the wedding
tomorrow" Susan replied. MARY
Lillian's mother invited me. I'm
going to hold a white satin ribbon
when the wedding comes up the
aisle. We practiced this afternoon"
LOU 1OOh dW1u1ly nlCe.
He saw that he had pleased her.
Jim laughed. you're growing
up, Sue. Did the expressman leave
a package here this afternoon"
cts out on the kitchen porch. I
heard Nora tell Miss Parker"
She went out to the porch with
him, walking demurely, amusingly
conscious of her wedding frills. Jim
found the package lying on a bench
and prepared to mark it with the
address of the camp in Maine.
'Look, Jim!" Susan said in a
bright interested voice. There's
Jerry Clyde!"
Jim's eyes turned to follow her
frankly pointing finger. Looking out
between vines, he saw Jeremy seat
ed on the narrow rim around the
fountain, apparently gazing at his
reflection in the water.
"Narcissus," Jim observed.
Susan was too deeply interested in
the news she had to impart to de-
mand an explanation.