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

Johns smile thanked Gay. He
eyed the check and took bill from
his wallet. Gay rose as he pulled
back her chair. He cupped his hand
beneath her elbow and they walked,
circling tables where people, dining,
glanced up as they passed, toward
the arched doorway into the lobby.
Are your things ready?" he
asked. ''Do you need to go up to
your room?"
Send a boy. I'll check out"
''Ill take care of that"
''No, John. Let me"
you're my guest"
'But, darling" Her eyes fell
from his face. "All right" she said
slowly.
From the divan on which she sat
she watched him cross the lobby
to the desk, holding himself stiffiy,
his shoulders erect. Though she
saw only his back in the dark tweed
suit, she knew how his face looked,
a little grim, the jaw line pro-
nounced, his dark eyes brooding.
How silly of him. But how thought
less of her, perhaps. She must be
careful-She must remember
When he came back to her,
bell-boy followed with her luggage.
John took her loose fur coat from
4he boy, held it, apologized for hur-
rying her, but avoided her glance.
They went out through a revolving
door. Cold wind struck them with
unanticipated force. She was blown
in a staggering half-circle. He
caught her. They stood on the
pavement in the light washing out
from the hotel. Their eyes met.
'I'm sorry" she said. II
thought
"Yop were right" His eyes were
penitent, his slow smile self-re-
proachful. II was showing off. For
give me-"
Gay laughed as John approached
the open door Of the second-floor
sitting-room in DR.. Sargeant's home.
Mary Adams voice continued, then
broke off as John called in from
the hall
THE last patient gomez" she
asked, glancing up from needles
that flashed through scarlet wool.
1--WE padlocked the Office door,"
He went to Gay, settled cornforta-
bly, in a corner of the davenport
and dropped down beside her.
MARY, do you think that profess
sional ethics would permit me to
cut the telephone wires?"
II shouldn't hesitate" she re-
piled briskly, and stabbed an amber
needle through the rolled length Of
knit wool.
Mary folded her knitting and
stabbed a needle through the bundle
of wool. ''There'n be greater pos
sibility Of Miss Graham's liking me
If disappear tactfully now"
Don't run away, Mary"
Her small brown face twinkled.
"You aren't very convincing, John"
She rose from the chair beneath the
lamp. "You can have breakfast
anytime you like" she said, smil-
ing at Gay. "John has his pretty
early"
"I'n have breakfast with John.
Will you call me?"
"The children will probably at
tend to that. You've made terrific
impression on my son, Nat. He's a
susceptible young man. Goodnight"
Goodnight, Mrs. Adams. And
thank you.''
II do like her." Gay said when
Mary Adams had gone out and
closed the door.
''Mary's very fine" John dropped
down on the davenport again.
"She tells me that her husband is
in Manila"
eyes, for two years. Mary had a
bad case Of typhoid last summer
and DR.. Sergeant thought it unwise
for her to 60 with him. She's not
very strong and the tropics are en-
ervating. Those two kids are
handful
They're darlings. / helped her
put them to bed. want two boys
and two girls"
do your" His dark eyes were
amused and tender. ''Do you want
children, Gay?"
I've never thought of it espe-
cially; but now, after seeing Skip
py and Nat, I'm sure do"
It'd be awfully jealous of Them"
He drew her close to him. II have
to touch you to be sure you're here.
Downstairs in the Office couldn't
make myself believe it. But you
are, aren't you? This is-you."
"Darlingl Johni"
This afternoon" he said after
moment, when / came in and there
wasn't letter from you. was
thought"
What did you Think"
what ! always think; that you'd
forgotten me, changed your mind"
Idiot" She laughed softly. II
couldn't hold out any longer. Three
days ago ! flew from Palm Beach
to New York. I"
Flew? Literally?''
Literally. What's the matter7"
she asked IN alarm. "You look"