The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-03-11
CHAPTER Iv-Continued
81

m staying mere, thatS all, as
serted Leonora. Med and his fami-
ly will be only too glad to keep you
company. 1t will save them money.
That always appeals to Ned, you
know; and Corinne will be spared
the bother of opening her own big
house, something she grumbles
about for weeks beforehand. Or if
this plan doesn't work out, Aunt
Jean would stay with you. Per-
haps you'd like that better anyway.
Ned, Junior is getting to be pest.
That boy needs some good old
fashioned chores, if you ask me-"
''What do you know about
chores?" chuckled her father; then
added, before the girl could answer:
"You can't stay here, child"
why not? The house is always
open"
"But you'd suffocate, Nora"
s'And what about Don, with no
place but boarding house bed
room or a park bench to spend hot
evenings? He's enduring lot for
me, Daddy. If I can't hang around
and drive him out into the country
after his works done, I'm a
Stacker"
Her father considered this in si-
1ence, bordering on the miracle Of
what love does to one. He had
sometimes thought Nora a bit heed
less of other people, partly because
most Of her own desires had been
gratifed so easily; yet she was de-
liberately contemplating summer
in the city just to make life pleas
anter for that young man. It was,
he reflected, immensely surprising.
He said: "Will Don let you do it?"
''He's not to be consulted. OF
course he'll protest when he finds
out, Dad; but you know how stub
born ! can bel"
81 do" smiled James. "Ring for
a cold drink, Nora. You look apo
plectic. ] can't say ] like this plan
Of yours, my dear; but suppose
you'll honor us for the week-ends. "
docs that invitation include
DOM"
SIT does if can get you no other
way" her father confessed with
honesty. Don't you realize, daugh-
ter, that I'm likely to miss your"
Nora was touched. She said, gem
fly: "That's nice of you, Dad, espe-
cially when I'm driving you almost
crazy. I'd kiss you if it weren't so
blazing hot"
''Don'tl" James protested. "au-
man contact a day like this would
be unbearable.
Yet the truth was, he would have
welcomed her kiss with pleasure be-
cause he felt that they were friends
again. The knowledge comforted
him greatly. Despite the heat and
Morals decision about the sunni aer,
James felt more ight-hearted Il an
he lad for weeks. Even some guar. |,
ed questions put by Ned that night,
questions as to where Don Mason
spent the evenings he didn't spend
with Nora, failed to disturb him.
"You'll have trouble pinning any
damaging conduct on that young
man, Ned. He's not our sort, of
course; but there's nothing wrong
with his morals. I'm sure of that"
''What makes you so sure. Fa-
ther?"
Partly things he's told me HIM
self-things about his life, you know;
and partly from observation. Did
you spend every evening with Cor
inne the year you were engaged.
Ned?"
mo, but"
"Look here" broke in the older
man, ''have you heard something
about Don-something unsavory?"
Ned admitted he hadn't; and. de-
Gliding there would be no virtue in
worrying his father, dropped the
subject, to James evident relief.
In fact, James Lambert went to bed
IN an uncommonly agreeable frame
Of mind. Things seemed to be work.
ing out all rights The knowledge
that Don had dined not once. but