The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-03-22

on Lne clearing In front OF the caDln,
marked the path sloping down a
| gentle grade to the edge of the lake.
Beyond, the water stretched silver
gray, motionless, barely distinguish
able from the land.
"I'm going to like this place." she
said, breaking the silence.
"Of course you are" Gays voice
was hushed, as though the serenity
of the scene before her had stilled
her excitement. "I've never liked
any place I've ever been as WE'LL"
Kate did not question her sinceri-
ty. 1t was curious, though, she re-
| flected. She would not have sup
| posed that Gay would find pleasure
in the silence of the woods. Gay,
she had thought, loved gaiety,
lights, the theater, supper-clubs,
dancing, moving from one scene of
festivity to another with her smart
young intimates. Her visits at
Dunedin" her brief stays at her
fathers town house, were quite OBJ
viously motivated by duty and en-
dured with boredom. She had given
every indication of preferring to be
with her mother and step-father on
Long Island, at their apartment in
the city, in Florida or Bermuda, now
that cut dividends and debated val
ues had closed to them the play.
grounds of Europe. She, Kate, had
scarcely seen the child since her
engagement had been announced at
Dunedin" late in June until three
days ago when she had turned up
there and had proposed this trip to
Maine.
What had happened the summer
she'd spent here to make so lasting
an impression upon Gay? Why,
after six years, should she have
wanted to return just at this time?
Hates thought continued as Gay,
standing beside her, remained si-
lent. She spoke frequently, and with
affection, of DR.. Lawrence whom she
called "Uncle JOHN" her godfather,
her fathers lifelong friend, who
had, at his death, left the cabin to
her. Kate remembered him very
well. He'd had brilliant mind and
great charm of manner. She knew
that Gays father had not UNDER
stood why his friend should have
been content to remain the Dean of
small college in his native state
of Maine when wider and more re-
munerative opportunities were con-
stantly being offered him. That was
explained at his death. DR.. Law
renee had had serious heart con-
dition which had restricted his &C.
tivities.
"It's the harvest moon, isn't it,"
Gay stirred with rousing motion
at Hates side.
"About half of it," Kate replied.
''It should be full toward the end of
the week."
81 hadn't counted on that" Gay
laughed and slipped her arm COM
panionably through Hates arm. II
wasn't thinking of moons. It's nice
when the sun shines, too"
'I'm sure it is" Kate said. "Feel-
ing as cool as I feel now was
worth the trip"
II thought you'd like it. You UNI
derstand now, don't you, why !
wanted to conner"
Kate was silent for a moment.
Then, ''Not entirely" she said.
She knew that the meaning be-
hind the words was perfectly clear
to Gay. The brief intimacy was
shattered. Gay withdrew her arm.
She was not resentful now, though,
as she had been when Kate had first
questioned her motives.
''Come along" she said, laugh
ing, that shaken note of excitement
trembling in her voice. 1--WE have
things to do. There are stones we
have left unturned."
Gay walked directly to a closed
door in the wall opposite the kitchen
at the far end of the room.
'This is the master-bedroom,"
she said and opened the door.
Kate followed her into the room. !
It was considerably larger than the
room off the kitchen and more COM
fortably furnished. The lamplight,
Z bright where she stood, fading into
shadows at the rim of the cone
Of light, disclosed built-in bed at
each end Of the room. The mattress
of one was covered with newspapers
and upon it lay paper-wrapped bum
dies which might contain bedding.
The other, beneath windows which
overlooked the porch, was obviously
prepared for use. Between the win
dows In the side wall on a square
of scenic linoleum stood a small
stove with a length of jointed pipe.
"That looks familiar" Kate said.
'It's called a chunk-stove, in case
you're interested. There's one in
the rectory study at home."
Gay gave no evidence of being
interested in the stove. She stood
looking down at the top of low
chest of drawers. Kate approached
with the lamp.
HE shaves," she said, making
note of q razor-case, a shaving
brush, a wooden soap-bowl. do