The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-05-06
CHAPTER x-Continued

to peruse the articles her husband
was sending out. Now, reading crit
ically, her heart sank still lower.
The editor was right. This wasn't on
of Don's joyous narratives. 1t was
the work of a harassed. half sick
man, driving himself on because the
need of money was imperative. .
Part of the thousand dollars
James Lambert had tucked into her
gold mesh bag had paid the charges
at the nursing home in London.
The rest (long saved for an emer-
gency), melted away during the
months of sickness in South Africa.
Dreading to run up bills, Nora had
paid the Cape Town doctor at every
visit, not realizing that if the man
possessed a conscience he would
doubtless have deducted something
from the sum total. There had been
medicines, too, expensive medi-
cines; and nourishing food that
cost real money. And now Don,
burning the candle at both ends in
a desperate effort to provide for
his loved ones, was failing to make
good. She would not show him that
letter. She could not.
What Nora did was to sit down
at the kitchen table, spread out the
rejected manuscript and proceed to
Undue it with the missing charm.
And because she knew. her hus-
bands style so well-because she
had listened spellbound while he
talked of his adventures, she did it
superbly. Her tired eyes lighted as
she read it over, knowing by in
stinct that her work would "get
across" And then she made the
wisest move of all: wrote simply
and honestly to the London editor
(she had to check herself from be-
ginning the letter Dear old life
preserver" confessing what she
had done to this Cape Town Letter
telling him something of the I'M
foreseen troubles which had de-
scended on them-agreeing to watch
over her husbands work, speaking
quite frankly of the reason why they
must return to England at the time
planned. And at the end: "You will
understand, of course, why you
must send no answer to this letter;
but if in its present form you find
the article available for publication,
kindly forward check to Mr.. Ma
son as soon as possible ;"
"And never let anyone persuade
you," she said months later when
Don learned the truth, shat Eng
lishmen, for all their cold exteri-
ors, haven't the warmest hearts in
the whole world!" For just when
her husband was beginning to worry
about the missing check, letter ar
rived bearing the familiar heading.
The editor, it seemed, had learned
of his contributors recent illness,
regretted it deeply, and suggested
not trying to write till he was quite
himself. Enclosed was check for
the last article Gan especially good
one), as well as for the three to fol-
low, con which, my dear fellow, you
are at liberty to take your time"
And with kindest regards to Mrs.
Mason, he remained very cordially
indeed
"But how in thunder" asked Don,.
lifting puzzled eyes from this well
come missive, ibid the old boy
learn that I've been sick? And why
does he lug you in all Of SUDDEN"
well, don't ask mel" responded
Nora, SO guilelessly that for the
time being Don hadn't a suspicion
of her intrigue.
After that things really did i'm
prove. The tension lessened. Don
did better work. The little son was
growing rosy: and Nora, rested her
self, admitted (although it went
against the grain to do so!) the
SURPRISING beauty of Cape Town
harbor - the, grandeur OF Table
mountain rising majestically behind
the city.
Thus a day arrived when she
braved the eyes of scandalized
community, and stopped at the
house of woman who, like a min
istering angel, had appeared one
chill, gray dawn to offer help.
whoever sees me will be horri-
fed, suppose" she said to Don,
"but after all, why should that mat
ter? was at the breaking point
when she helped me out, you know.
It wouldn't be decent not to say
good-by to her."
'sOf course it wouldn't" Don
turned from locking steamer
trunk to add: ''I'll 60 with you.
DEAR"
But Fate had other plans. Be-
cause of some error about their
stateroom Don was called away;
and Nora went alone.
II just dropped in to say good
by Her hostess, obviously aston
ished at the call, was leading her
into a small, tidy living room. Nora
had not expected its surprising neat
ness Then she saw that the wom-
an herself looked neater-more self
respecting, and continued: 1--WE
leave for home tomorrow; and I've
never half thanked you for all you
did for us.
You don't need to. lady," The
L. -.