The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-06-10
CHAPTER XIII-Continued

H.
The ocean was not visible from
here, but the salt of it was in the
air. and James heard the roar OF
waves breaking against rocks. AS
the sun disappeared behind cloud
the old man stopped, laid down his
bag and buttoned his coat higher
about the throat, shivering a little.
In summer this road would be alive
with tourists, he supposed. 1t was
deserted nova man-made strip OF
macadam that seemed curiously out
of place between the rocky pastures
which 5ordered it on either side.
Strange, James Lambert unused
as he started on again, that "a hours
ago he hadn't dreamed of being
here. Strange too, that despite the
uneasiness he felt at seeing Nora,
he was happier than he'd been for
years and years. After a time he
found himself hurrying little. That
"short half mile which the con-
ductor promised, seemed very long.
Yet he couldn't have missed the
place. This was lonely stretch OF
road with no lanes leading seward.
He stopped again, drew Nora's post
card from his pocket and was study
ing it infinitely when voice star
tied him.
"Say, Mister, have you seen the
r. F. D. MANI"
Moving step or two forward
James saw that the voice belonged
to a small boy who had, apparently,
been swinging on a rustic gate, half
hidden from view by clump of fir
trees. There was mail box too.
This must be the place! The old
mans heart-beats quickened as he
responded: 81 haven't seen anybody
since left the trolley. Are you"
Then, all because a sudden breeze
had blown the boys hair away from
his forehead, the question died on
James lips. Where had he seen
forehead and hair like that? he
asked himself, some half-forgotten
memory stirring to life. All! now
he recalled it! The door to his own
ibrary-a tall young man stand
ing upon the threshold, youth incar-
nate
you're kind of out of breath,
aren't your" the boy was saying. 81
guess you've been hurrying. If
you're tired why don't you sit down
on that rock? It's a good smooth
one. Mother sits there when she's
waiting for the postman. I hope
he'll bring the money this afternoon.
She'll be pretty discouraged if he
doesn't, b'lieve me-"
James asked, as he availed him
self of the proffered resting place:
$50 your mother expects the post
man to bring some money!"
The youngster nodded, his blue
eyes very serious.
"She's been expecting it for
more'n a month, and she's pretty
'sturbed about it. A lady that lives
in the biggest house at the Port
summertimes, owes it to her for
teaching her little girl to play. Moth
er's swell piano player; and she's
a swell cook, too. Are you going
to Norton's, Mister? It's quite a
walk"
''I'm not going to Norton's," re-
piled James. ''How old are you,
sonny?"
'sIn be six and three quarters
before very long," was the prompt
answer. whats your name,
please?"
James, doing hasty sum in men,
tai arithmetic, failed to respond. He
said: "Then you must be-"
s'I'm James Lambert Mason" put
in the boy. ''I'm named for my
grandpa, but I've never seen him.
It's sort of funny not to know your
own grandfather, isn't it? But I've
heard a lot about him and seen his
picture. It's on Mothers desk. Do
you know, if you weren't so old and
didn't have so many wrinkles, you'd
look something like him. That's
queer, isn't it? Gee! here comes the
postman! hope he's bringing Moth
er's check!"
Eyes on the eager face, James
echoed this hope; but the mail car
rier merely tossed out a paper;
and the old man saw with conster-
nation that his grandson was fight
ing tears of disappointment as ne
picked it up.
'eWas it big check?" The ques-
ton was kindly effort to make con-
versation.
ssIt was-e-normous," replied the
boy, and swallowed. ''It would buy
two tons of coal, and Goals expen-
sive. Last winter we burned wood
and Mother got pretty tired tending
the fires. Daddy said he couldn't
stand seeing her do it. Besides,
now he can't move fast any more
he's awf'ly cold. Days when the
wind blows off the ocean he doesn't
get warmed up at all. I've got to
60 now, Mister; but you can sit
there as long as you want to. It's
our rock"
Thanks, sonny; but ! think I'll
make little call on your mother"
The child's face lighted.
''Goodyl We don't have much
.-~..sII xro,.r H.