The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-12-25


relieved Cherry's mind.
Fran was restless and uneasy and
Kelly miserably aware Of it. His
happy day was having the worst
possible conclusion; he had long ex-
hausted apology and encouragement.
and could only settle down with his
guests at the fire and make the
best Of bad job.
It seemed a long, long time be-
fore the honk Of taxi was heard
outside. Fran insisted that Kelly
should not come with them; they
said hurried good nights and were
off.
Cherry" Fran said then, calling
her by her name for the first time,
twill you do me great favor?"
"Of course" Cherry said with a
slightly quickened beat at her heart
and a puzzled look.
81 want you to come home with
me. It's perfectly obvious" Fran
explained, "that we've been caught
in the rain together. ! want my
husband to know that you were with
me-"
Cherry was strangely stirred.
Fran, the remote and proud, had
made her the recipient Of her conf
dence, or at least part of it. She
said that she would gladly go home
with Fran before going on to her
own destination.
Fran did not pursue the subject
further, and at six o'clock they en-
tered the; front door Of the Marsh
banks house. Molly and Martin,
maid and butler, came forward i'm
mediately, and Fran asked anxious
ly if Judge Marshbanks was at
home. No, not yet? Cherry felt the
relief in her voice. Where was Rous-
seau?
Fright here, Madame" The
chauffeur appeared and Fran drew
him aside for moments talk.
Rousseau says Jud had to 60
to San Jose to court this afternoon y
she then said as she and Cherry
went upstairs, land he's coming
back late with Mr.. Trotter. So that's
all right! You poor child, you're
shivering. have to 60 out to din
ner, but why don't you stay and
have some with Amy? The poor
mouse is in bed with a cold!"
eyes, do; yes, dol" called Amy
from her room, and her first ges-
ture of friendliness so warmed Cher
RVS heart that she could 60 to the
room door and look in upon its pink
ness and warmth and coziness as
she explained: "I'm all wet and
horrid!"
'Take a bath in my room, here
I'm dying Of loneliness; all my
friends are afraid" Amy said ca.
gerly. You've just been taking
care Of flu, so you're in no danger.
Stay and have supper and talk. I'll
lend you a hostess dress"
"I'd love it," Cherry said gladly.
She was about to enter when an
unexpected and unfamiliar voice be.
hind her made her turn and find her
self facing Fran and also facing q
lmagnificently impressive older
woman, woman of perhaps seven
ty, who was staring at her with q
surprised and unfriendly eye.
Fran had been welcoming this
stranger, commenting upon her ar
rival a few days earlier than she
had been expected from Florida, ex-
planning her own plight. Now she
introduced Cherry: miss Rawlings,
Gran. Cherry, this is Mrs. Marsh
banks, the judges mother"
''Miss who?" demanded the old
lady sharply, following Fran after a
perfunctory nod to Cherry.
Cherry heard Fran murmuring in
answer; the words were indistinct
but her tone was conciliatory and
apologize. Suddenly the other wom-
ans voice sounded clearly just be-
fore F'ran's bedroom door closed:
ssOf course / know who she is;
I knew the minute I saw her! And
I won't have Amy know her; ! won't
have her in this housed"
Cherry stood still for a moment,
idly rejecting upon the bad temper
Of this proud, handsome old lady.
At the moment it did not occur to
her to attempt to give these words
significance, still less to connect
them in any way with her insignifi-
cant self. But they remained indel-
IDLY imprinted upon her memory,
and the day came when they found
their rightful place in her story.