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

lou DTOhG Tic AulCo, SdAu vOhuA.
"It's like a labor union. Only instead
of skill in a trade you must have
wealth to be admitted. Money. You
must inherit it or marry 1t. L"
Don't speak that way of money"
Gay said, her voice sharpened by
WEAKNESS, by consciousness of the
distance widening between them.
We've all lost a great deal and are
likely to lose more"
1--WE learned that. Your friend,
Connie Belmont, told me that her
family are practically paupers.' !"
sit seems so in comparison with
what they've had. Mother, Robert,
Dad-They feel that their world is
changing, that in their lifetime, per-
haps, things will never be as they
have been. Oh, why do we talk OF
it? They, my friends, who were here
tonight, aren't important" She
moved close to him and put her
hand in his. "We're here together.
It's Christmas Eve. Let's forget
Them"
His fingers closed around her hand
but the pressure was negligent.
''They are important. You defend
them. You were afraid they wouldn't
accept me-"
81 was afraid for you, not for
myself"
SIS that true? Would you be con-
tent to 60 away with me and never
see any of them again?"
eyes, oh, yes!"
"You think so now. But in a lit
tie while, when being with me isn't
a novelty any longer, when I'd be
at work and you'd have nothing to
amuse you"
"You have no confidence in me.
You still resent me. How can I
convince your"
Forgive me, Gay. I'm sorry"
His arms went around her, drew her
close to him. His lips followed the
curve of her cheek to her lips. She
chung to him, conscious of a sort Of
desperation in the embrace, more of
fear than of passion or tenderness.
Gay laid down her crumpled
square of heavy damask as Burton,
at signal from Aunt Flora, stepped
behind her aunt's chair.
The gentlemen rose as the ladies
left the table. Gay glanced at John,
standing very stiffly beside his chair
at Aunt Flora's right. She smiled
and his face frightened. She felt
him watching her a little forlornly
as she, with her aunts and cousins,
followed Aunt Flora's measured
steps out of the dining-room, as stud
led as when, wearing the traditional
train and three feathers, she had
walked along strip of carpet which
led to a throne.
Aunt Flora sat on the love-seat
before the fire and Ernest, the foot
man, set tray with the coffee serv-
ice on table before her. Aunt
Lucy, Uncle James wife, her fad
ing prettiness extinguished by wine
colored satin and the jewels she
wore, sat in a chair at the opposite
side of the marble hearth. The
younger women, Elsa Lancaster,
Aunt Flora's daughter, Muriel Won
Steedham, her daughter-in-law; Mar
garet Newland, Aunt Lucy's married
daughter, and Janet Graham, her
unmarried daughter, grouped them
selves, respectfully or resentfully,
around the room. Gay stood in the
curve of the small piano, resigning
herself to the half hour of boredom
which was Aunt Flora's tribute to
tradition.
''Millicent and Grace were unable
to be with us today" Aunt Flora's
diamonds flashed as she poured cof-
fee into porcelain cups set in cases
of filigreed silver. "Grace has
touch of neuritis."
.'The weather has been so change
able" Aunt Lucy contributed bright
ly.
Gay glanced at Kate, seated in a
chair little removed from the group
about the fire. Hates eyebrow lift
ed and her glance, meeting Gays,
twinkled with derisive humor. Aunt
Flora had not invited Cousin Mill
cent and Cousin Grace, two elderly
and impoverished spinsters who
were, ordinarily, present at family
gatherings.
She hadn't long to wait.
''Well, Gay" Aunt Flora said, as
Ernest left the room. II suppose
you won't mind telling us your
plans"
Gay felt the sudden hush that fell
upon the room, felt her aunts and
cousins watching her, though no one,
except Aunt Flora, who had asked
the question and young Janet, who
admired her, looked at her directly.
She felt familiar resentment. an
emotion which extended far back
through adolescence to her turbulent
childhood. She felt exactly as she
had felt then, but she was too old
for tantrums now.
II have no definite plans" she
said quietly.
Aunt Flora looked at her in 81
lence. Then, "You mean that you
prefer net - discuss them with US"