The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-04-08
CHAPTER vII-Continued

haven't regarded these things as
property to be disposed of in an
emergency. They seem part OF
myself, Nora, because each one re-
calls some memory I wouldn't ex-
change for any amount OF gold. But
I confess to being rather dumb, all
things considered. Your father has
a nice taste himself. He would
have been impressed"
Don's voice was rueful, and Nora
promised: well impress him yet!
I'll make the most of these assets
in my next letter."
For despite James Lambert's con-
tinued silence, Leonora's chatty
chronicles of her own doings had
been unfailing. They seemed to
bridge the gap a little-to bring
him nearer.
'And to know that he knows we're
well and happy, is something, isn't
it?" she asked Don wistfully one
day in late September.
cts great deal-to loyal soul
like you," he answered, and turned
away because the momentary sad
ness in her eyes had hurt him.
"Come on, Nora" he called with
cheer from the porch five minutes
later. "Tide's out. What say we
tramp mile or two on the hard
sand?"
It was an hour later when they
discovered the stable beyond the
dunes. Its ugly cupola, with tiny
windows of red, amber and purple
glass, caught Nora's eyes, and turn
ing inland they explored what once
had been domestic.
blouse must have burned" said
Don, looking into gaping cellar
hole now overrun with fireweed. "A
pity the barn didn't 60 too, Nora.
It's a blot on the landscape"
''But the view from here is glo-
rious. Come and see." Nora was
standing before the stable door.
"Its queer the owners didn't re-
build after living in such heaven
ly place"
'tAnd queerer," grinned Don, his
eyes lifting to the cupola, "that those
gay, enticing windows have escaped
the stone-throwing prowess of some
small boy. In village the same
temptation would have been fatal
to the windows, / meant"
II never could understand that
destructive trait in the youthful
male" said Leonora.
That's only because the youth
full female can't hit a target if she
tries, my dear. Gosh! Nora, you're
right about this view. I never saw
a finer stretch of ocean. It's big
barn, isn't it? This doesn't look like
farm land, either. Well, we must
be getting on if we're to return via
the post office and finish our supper
before dark"
The postmaster produced one let
ter. Nora's heart quickened as he
held it out, quickened until she saw
the foreign stamp.
SIS it from Mr.. Venable?"
Don nodded, tearing it open ca
gerly, for once mmindful of her dis
appointment.
He read it sauntering along the
village street, his wife's hand on
his arm preventing him from col
liding with trees or light posts. He
smiled as he observation-disclosures
to everything save this message
from his friend: and for the mo-
ment Nora felt strangely shut out
forgotten. Then DON turned, and
she saw that his eyes were shining
with some awakened interest.
II just skinned through the
thing" he told her happily. "I'l
read it aloud soon as we reach the
shack. Ven writes a bully letter.
He wants US to join them i'm Italy
next month, Nora. Says there's no
end of things ! could do and write
about = knows an English editor
who's keen for that sort of stuff and
will psy well for it-says that Con-
stance wants to know"-Don grinned
at the thrust-''if I'm still oblivious
to the necessity of filthy lucre! What
do you think of the plan, darling?
How does a winter at Capri appeal
to you? You're sure to fall for Ven
and Connie and the youngsters. And
they'll love you, Nora. They'll bow
right down and worship or ! miss
my guess. We're foot-loose now. /
can't perceive a single reason why
we shouldn't do it. Let's CO."
And Nora, who was beginning to
suspect a good and sufficient rea-
son for staying home, looked into
her husbands eager face, lighted
once more with the love of roaming
that was so much part of him,
and answered gamely: "Let's!"
On crisp October day some
three weeks later they sailed for
Naples. Despite promise of win
ter in the air, Nora left the SHACK"
almost reluctantly; and remember
ing the dismay with which she had
regarded the place few months
earlier, was forced to smile at her
changed attitude. But it was home
to her now. When, the girl asked
herself, and with just cause, per-
haps, would they have another?
-