The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-07-05

one more thing for me to worry
about: Suppose something had hap
pened-"
"But nothing did happen. We
reached New York safely and UNI
eventually"
II like it here" Her eyes moved
around the warm comfortably-fur-
nished room. 81 like Mrs. Adams
and Abbie and the children. How
long may / stay?"
"As long as you like. But" He
hesitated.
what, John?"
81 called Mother tonight. She's
expecting us in Rockland tomor-
row. I'm free for the afternoon and
evening""
'sBut can come back here with
you tomorrow night"
81 think Mother will expect you
to stay with her for day or two"
"You-can't?"
81 can run out at night after office
hours and back early in the morn
ing. It isn't far" His eyes searched
her face. sYou don't mind, Gay?"
you've never told me-" she said
hesitantly. 'sWhat does your moth
er think of this-of us?"
''She was surprised, Of course"
he said guardedly. "But she's got
ten accustomed to the idea. She
loved your sending flowers for her
birthday"
eyes, she wrote me. / remember
the date because I helped you buy
a birthday present for her in New
York"
SIT was sweet of you to remena-
Der. She's eager to meet you. My
sisters. too. And Granny. Granny's
all for romance"
81 don't think I'll feel strange
with her. Your mother, ! mean.
She's Uncle Johns sister,"
He was silent.
els she like Uncle John was,
friendly and wise and amusing? ]
have imagined her being that way"
mother is rather reticent," John
said slowly. She's never gotten
over my fathers death. And then
her life hasn't been easy. My ia
Their died when I was twelve years
old. He left very little. She made
great many sacrifices to send me
to college and medical school. She
worshiped my father. We, Sarah
and Debby and I, have been her
whole life since his death. You
won't be offended if she seems lit
tle-reserved?"
There was silence for a moment.
Then Gay said, Cant we spend
tomorrow afternoon and evening
with her and then come back here?"
"I'm afraid she would be Offend
ed, but if you don't want to 60 !"
81 want to do what is courteous,
but I'd rather be with you"
"I'll come at night. If you were
here I couldn't be with you during
the day"
"But I like it here. It's friendly
and impersonal. With your fami-
ly-" She made a helpless gesture.
ooh, you know how it was in New
York. We quarreled. People got
in the way. We weren't happy un-
less we were alone"
His bright pleading glance dark
ened.
1--WE can't ignore Mother and my
sisters"
She sat for a moment, silent, look
ing down at her hands. Then she
lifted her head. 81 know. It's 60
ing to be all right. Don't look so
respondent, darling"
s'Of course it is" His face bright
ened. "You're more adaptable than
am and the situation is less COM
plicated."
'I'm not timid about meeting peo-
pie, usually. There isn't much Of
the shrinking violet in my tempera-
ment. How shall ! act to make the
proper impression?"
"Just be yourself, Gay"
ssWith no-modifications?" Mis-
chief glinted in blue sparkles be-
tween her thick dark lashes.
Certainly not" His voice was in
dignant. you're so sweet and gay
and generous, really generous. Or
perhaps / mean tolerant. More than
am"
II haven't much character. can't
seem to get agitated about most Of
the things that people think are inn
portant."
THAT isn't lack Of character.
It's poise, self-confidence, knowing
what you want and how to get it."
IT know what want, but getting
it isn't so easy"
He dropped his head to kiss the
soft hollow at the base Of her throat.
mother viii love you," he said.
II hope So" With her hands on
his face she lifted his head. "But
if she doesn't. it isn't especially inn
portant, is it? It doesn't matter,
does it? Does it, John?"
His head dropped against her
breast. Her arms went around him,
holding him close.
"No No, darling" he said.
Nothing matters except that yop're
here"