The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-05-10

drew the neglgee around her, Wrlg-
gled her feet into the mules. THAT
makes everything practically per-
feet"
"Your bath is ready" Mathilde
smiled at Gays excitement. "Win
you have breakfast tray?"
Orange juice and coffee" Gay
disappeared into the bathroom. II
won't have time for anything else"
On the walls of the bathroom wild
orchids grew lush among tropical
trees. The alcove in which the tub
was set was paneled with mirrors.
Gay, splashing vigorously, made
none Of her customary mental OBJ
servations upon the results achieved
by the young interior decorator who
was her mothers latest protegee.
All of her attention was conferred
upon the fact, incredible but excit-
ingly true, that John was arriving
in New York on this the morning of
Christmas Eve, for a holiday visit.
'Noel, Noel" she sang, rubbing
herself with soft warmed towel.
or an instant the song recalled the
Christmas Eve she'd spent at school
in Switzerland. She'd like to 60
into Catholic church this evening,
at twilight, French Catholic
church, where candle-ight would
shine on brightly painted figures in
the manger scene and a choir-boy
with the voice Of an angel would
sing the carol, running now, through
her mind. That syrnbolized Christ
mas for her, had as far back as
she could remember, before the
school in Switzerland, since Made
moiselle Dupin, the governess Of
whom she'd been fondest, had taken
her, as a child, to her church on
succeeding Christmas Ewes.
Back into the bedroom again. Ma
thilde had laid out her underthings.
''Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel"
she sang dealing hurriedly with chit
fon and silk. She stood before the
row Of hangers in the wardrobe. $50
the keynote is simplicity" How long
ago that seemed! She selected
wool dress the silver gray Of kit
tens fur, the darker gray fur coat,
the fur cap to match it which made
her look like a Russian princess. AS
she sat at the dressing-table pin
ming red-brown curls in at the nape
Of her neck Mathilde came in with
the tray.
would you like me to ring for
Carl?" she asked, placing the tray
on low table beside the windows
looking out over the river.
mo, I'll use a taxi" She didn't
want her first moments with John
to be spent under the discreet but
interested scrutiny of Carts lively
blue eyes, behind Carts attentive
whip-cord back. The servants both
here and at Dunedin" were Curl
GUS about John. No wonder, after
what they'd heard and seen when
she and Kate returned from Maine.
Not that she cared, especially, but
If it could be avoided
cts eight o'clock, Miss Gay"
Mathilde, lowering, said.
ut ISL, Good Heavens! must
fly" She slipped into the coat Ma
thilde held, tilted the fur cap over
one eye, caught up purse and gloves,
paused for an instant to admire
her reflection in the mirror and went
hurrying out Of the room.
Lights glowed in the hall of the
apartment. Her step-father called
to her through the open door of the
dining-room.
Woodworking" she said, stand
ing poised for flight in the door
way.
cts the early bird that catches
the worm" Robert Cameron, in a
silk dressing gown with scarf knot
ted under his chin twinkled at her
somewhat sleepily over a section Of
melon.
no BE CONTINUED