The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-06-17
CHAPTER XIv--Continued

discerning eyes like something
brought over from England ages
ago. A beautiful antique. And sure
enough, here was the photograph!
No wonder his small namesake
hadn't recognized him. This pic
ture was taken when Nora went to
college. Here was her husband, too
IAN enlargement made from snap
shot. Don was just starting for a
climb, his rucksack slung over one
shoulder
Recalling the wheel-chair, James
Lambert WINGED, and laying the pic
ture down as if it hurt him, lifted
another. The children, of course.
His grandchildren! A thrill of pride
stirred in the old mans heart. Here
was his namesake; an older boy;
and baby Iris. A flower indeed!
She seemed to resemble family that
other Iris whom James had loved
so dearly that he could forgive the
nnforgivable, and still think of her
with tenderness after all these
years. He was glad that Nora had
aot forgotten her mother. When
Ned's first daughter had arrived
and he ventured to suggest the
name of Iris, Corinne had been APP
palled. What! call her baby after
woman who had deserted one
child and had another by her lover!
James smiled tolerantly at this
old memory. Best not go back to
it. After all, Corinne was a good
woman, a good housekeeper, and
always invited him to Sunday din
ner! If she were inclined to be I'M
charitable to the erring, well, time
was already fixing that-time and a
boy she had spoiled with too much
money and too little work.
He wondered, mildly amused at
the idea, what Corinne would think
of this big room. She would un-
doubtedly spot the packing boxes
and the shabby chair. No such de-
tail ever escaped her. And the fam
lily photographs! Her father-in-law
could hear her say: photographs!
Is it possible that Nora's not aware
that photographs of that sort are
taboo, save in a bedroom? Why,
Father Lambert, it simply isn't
.done!" e@e4s 81
The old man laughed softly at
this vivid picture. Often enough he
had felt annoyed at >Corinne; but
now she didn't seem to matter, not
in the least. He believed there was
something soothing about this room.
It was SO friendly, as if it bid you
to be comfortable. One felt in
stinctively that those who lived mere
loved one another and were happy
together. The shabby upholstery of
the old chair-the worn hangings at
the windows, were of no conse-
quence. A healing sense of peace
pervaded everything. This was
home. All! That was the explana-
ton, James reflected. Stable or
palace, this was real home.
Suddenly his head lifted. His
heart quickened. A door had opened |
CLOSED again softly. Light foot
steps sounded-were coming nearer.
He wanted to turn-must turn to
face the door, but found he could
not. And then dear remembered
voice broke in upon him:
"You wished to see me? / am
Mrs. Mason. Jimsy says you are
a friend of-Why, Father!"
1t was then James turned
stretched out his arms
He was holding her close, his lit
tie Nora. It took him back to that
long-gone, tragic day when he had
first held her, comforted her, and
all unknowing comforted himself. A
sense of that same comfort flowed
through him now, healing the wound
of those ten years without her. And
though she wept, as she had wept
that other time, all that her father
found to say was: mora Il
you've been long time coming,
Daddy" she told him when at last
she could find words; and looking
down into her upturned face, James
saw, a quick pang of regret stab
bing his heart, all that those years
had done to Leonora. Something
1lC u lOVSu dAlu IOPcu W Dec again
was gone; yet meeting her tear
wet eyes the old man knew that |
his daughters girlhood beauty had |
not vanished. 1t had only changed |
changed into something more to
be desired-more beautiful -.
you've been long time COM
ing" she said again; and James re-
sponded:
1--WE been a stubborn old idiot,
my darling. When you stopped writ
ing I told myself that you'd ceased
to care-grown tired of father who
had failed you. And yet worried,
Nora-watched for your letters
hoped /. :"
She drew him to the old pew by |
the fire. Her hands, those hard,
brown hands James scarcely recog-
nized, trembled a little.
How could ] writer" she asked
as they sat down together. 1--WE
needed help too badly-don't you
see? You told me. Father"
He stopped her with an impatient
gesture that she remembered.