The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-04-22
CHAPTER VIII-Continued

$500 ~----v
all you've done for US? But there's
more to this business than you I'M
derstand." The mans face dark
ened. He was recalling a hot June
day-a blow that had left his jaw
lame for a week. "There are things
one can't forgive, or :.
He paused, not knowing just how
to proceed; and the woman said, in
the gentle way she had told him
many truths in the years gone by:
Excuse me, Mr.. Ned, but there's
nothing we can't forgive-if we care
enough. Run along up now. Run
up and see your father"
"And when I got there" Ned told
his wife later that evening, dad
was sitting in the big wing-chair in
Nora's bedroom. There was fire
on the hearth, and the place did
look more-well, more cheerful,
perhaps, than the rooms downstairs.
He was reading a letter, but when
he glanced up and saw me he
stuffed it into a pocket, which made
me wonder if it was from Leonora.
I thought-honestly, Corinne, sort
of felt that he didn't like my find
ing him there. He got right up and
said: "Why, didn't you telephone?
If I'd known you were coming over
I'd have been downstairs"
'Did you go down then?"
'tNo. It was plain he wanted to-;
but said: sit still, Dad. I'm only
going to stay a minute. Did you
know that Nora sailed for Italy this
afternoon?' You see, Corinne, !
thought it was better to speak right
out. I felt, after what Martha'd
said, that it might do him good to
talk, if he once got started"
''What'd he say?"
Nothing, for just a minute. I
think my question took him bit
off guard. But you know Dad! He
can always pull himself together.
And after a minute he said quietly:
yes, know That's all, Corinne.
It made me feel almost uncomfort-
able-as if he'd said: it's none of
your business, Ned. Get along
home You know what mean"
ooh, yes, I know!" Corinne's eyes
narrowed llnpleasantly. 'He made
me feel that way just after Nora
left, when I was trying to tell him
that he'd done exactly right. Pm
fond of your father, Ned, but there
are times when he irritates me to
distraction"
A vision of the faithful Martha
Singing teacups, caused Ned Lam
bert to smile little. Then his wife
asked: "Did you speak of Nora any
more?"
"We did because I rather forced
the subject-not because I was Gu
rious, you know, but I wanted to
help him If could. Dads had such
a lot of trouble through his family,
Corinne. I've always-ever since I
was old enough to think about it
wanted to feel that I, who've never
gone against his wishes, had made
it up to him. But tonight, sitting
there in Morals bedroom, it came
over me that I was accountable for
this last break that's hurt him more
than anything since the trouble with
my-ny mother"
"You accountab1e!" Corinne
closed the most talked of novel of
the month, forgot its so unread
pages, and gave him her entire at
tention. ''Of all the absurd state
ments! What would your father
have had you do when that fellow
hit you? Turn the other cheek?"
''It was a jaw, DEAR" Ned re-
minded her in a feeble attempt at
humor. He hated his wife to get
worked up."
eff that's supposed to be funny"
she retorted, 81 don't see the joke.
Why, you were black and bluel If
your father hadn't stood by you he'd
have been beast, Ned. Well, what
else did you say?"
''Not much. I ventured the re-
mark that wondered how their trip
was financed; and Father answered
with that uncanny way he has Of
understanding something you
haven't said: Well, didn't finance
it, if that's troubling you That
riled me a little, I'll admit, but I
kept my temper. felt so sorry
for him, Corinne. I've never
thought of my father as being an
old man; but he looked old tonight,
old and unhappy. I decided not to
say anything further about Nora;
and then with the best intention in
the world, put my foot in It'll"
Howl"
Ned smiled, regretfully.
1T was this way: As the atmos-
phere seemed a little strained ! got
up and began moving about the
room. That's such a beautiful
room, Corinne."
Beautiful? That shows your ig-
norance of such things, Ned" Cor
inne spoke as one with authority.
s'I'n admit it has a sort of charm;
but it's no special period, so in an
artistic way it's not correct. Why,
that wing-chair you spoke of is COW
cred with lowered chintz = and
there are silk hangings at the win
\ - L