The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-05-31

In her voice.
"Why should she?" Janet asked
warmly. She was fifteen, tall and
with the same awkward grace that
Gay herself had had at that age.
Janet was going to be the Graham
beauty of her decade, Gay thought,
amused and touched by her young
cousins eager partisanship. She had
bright brown curls that foamed over
her head, peach-colored skin, eyes.
as green and translucent as emer-
aids fringed with brown lashes
tipped with gold. "Why should Gay
hash over everything, if she doesn't
want to? / mean, it's her business.
Good heavens!"
REALLY, Mother" Margaret's
flower blue eyes were reproachful.
"Janet, DEAR" Aunt Lucy said i'm
ploringly.
Aunt Flora's glance moved from
Janet to Gay. There, see what an
influence you have, the glance said,
but the words she spoke were more
conciliating. "We're only trying to
help you," she said. II won't pre-
tend that it all hasn't been very
painful and embarrassing, but the
thing to do now is to help you all we
can. There's no doubt, of course,
that we can do great deal to estab-
lish DR.. Houghton in New York. If
people know that your fathers fam
lily is"
Excuse me, Aunt Flora" Gays
voice was steady, little remote.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but you
have been misinformed. John has
no intention of locating here"
"Where, them" Aunt Flora asked.
Certainly he doesn't intend to re-
main in Maine. Any practice that
he might establish there would, nec-
essarily, be limited. And frankly,
Gabrielle, I can't see you living in
Maine"
"John is a scientist Gay said
patiently. ''That is, he hopes to be.
He has no intention of establish
ing a private practice anywhere"
"But thought"
"Yes, he is assisting DR.. Sar-
geant in general practice now, but
that is temporary arrangement"
"And after that
81 really don't know, Aunt Flora"
"But what are we to tell people?"
A flush suffused Mrs. Won Steed-
hams handsome features and irri-
tation sharpened her voice.
"Must you tell them anything?"
That's what I say" young Janet
broke in. "Why must you explain
what's purely and simply Gays
business, to a lot of old moss-backs
who think Victoria is still the Queen
of England. What does it matter
who Gay marries as long as it suits
her, that's what I'd like to known"
"Janet!" Aunt Lucy walled help
lessly.
ST can hardly expect you not to
be obstinate, Gabrielle" Aunt Flora
said. you've been that since the
day you were born, but I do expect
you to show us little considera-
ton. After all we've gone through"
She paused.
II know, Aunt Flora" Gays eyes
lifted. "I'm truly sorry, as I have
told you before, not that it hap
pened, but that you should have had
to suffer for something which wasn't
your fault"
Her aunt's expression softened.
"Then you'll understand that we
don't want to interfere, but to help
you," she said more gently. "We
think it would be wise for you to
persuade DR.. Houghton to establish
a practice in New York. He's had
excellent training, I understand, and
shows great promise. With the fam
lily influence behind him, he might
60 far"
'He's really very attractive"
Elsa Lancaster's bright competent
glance moved around the circle,
rested with especial brightness upon
Gay. "If he gets the right start, !
shouldn't wonder if he'd be popular,
socially as well as professionally"
81 think he's SWELL" Janet said
defensively. II like strong silent
men,"
''He has a pleasant voice." Muriel
lifted eyes like brown pansies from
contemplation of her slender white
hand. II think it's important that
doctor should have a pleasant
voice."
'Such a sweet mouth" Aunt Lucy
said. 81 suppose that sounds odd
in speaking of a man." she added,
as though she expected to be con-
tradicted, "but it is. I don't think
that young man with a mouth like
that could be any of the things"
She faltered, flushing. "Could be
other than kind and-sincere," she
finished in some confusion.
'And being DR.. Lawrence's neph-
ew is an asset" Aunt Flora said.
''It isn't as though he's just some
body Gay happened to meet some
where. After all, DR.. Lawrence was
Gays godfather, though ! could
never quite understand why David
was so fond of him."
Gay looked at Kate, who was look
ing at her. As their glances met.