The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-03-19
CHAPTER XIX
QMoaRls

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at least pay off those debts and
promises that Cog made when he
thought he was going to have it."
"He never asked me for money I"
Amy stated lifelessly.
II know he didn't. But it's there,
enough at least to get him into the
clear. And for the rest. Amy,
why do we have to let anyone know
that we ever changed names? Why
not just let that part go? You're
married now; your name Is differ
ent. And Kelly and I ;"
Afny's tear-swollen eyes bright
ened into a half interest. 81 knew
you were crazy about Kelly" she
said somberly.
81 only mean this, Amy. Take
some of it. l don't want it or need
it! Pay off these bills, and then
let me send you an allowance :"
you're very kind, Cherry" Amy
broke in decisively, "but I couldn't.
It wouldn't solve anything. I know
you mean well :"
"Now listen," Cherry interrupted
in her turn. ''Don't be so silly.
Suppose you went to Gogo now and
said that while things never would
be as they were, you could clear up
his debts.''
Cherry" Amy said in a whisper,
suddenly breaking, ''if only hadn't
married him! You don't know how
fast Gogo spends money! He'll lose
two or three thousand in one race,
or one evening at roulette! Once he
lost twenty-seven thousand in one
night"
you'll not put up with that for
ever, Amy" Cherry said seriously.
'No; I know I WON'T" Amy said
quickly.
you'll want to come back some
day." Cherry went on.
81 know" Amy's whisper was al
most inaudible. "He doesn't deny
that he wouldn't have married me
if it hadn't been for the money!"
she said.
"Then why not try, Amy, since
money will make difference, why
not try putting this plan to him. All
his debts paid, and an allowance.
A silence. Then Amy said, "But
why should you do this, Cherry?"
"Oh, why shouldn't II" Cherry
asked in return. 81 want to. I'll
never feel that I'm really Amelia
Marshbanks any more than you'll
ever feel that you're Charlotte Rawl-
ings. It'll always seem as much
yours as mine, and I think that's
the way-that's the way, perhaps"
Cherry went on, suddenly shy, shat
he-that our father-would want it
to be-"
"After all, we are sisters, and so
it's not fair" Amy said, with re-
turn Of her sullen manner. i
"Amy," Cherry said suddenly.
The other girl looked up YEARLY
and without hope. "You wouldn't
want Gogo to go away and leave
your" Cherry asked. "You wouldn't
want to end it all here and now?"
She had gone too far. Amy's head
went up in anger and pride.
''Why, of course wouldn't" she
said coldly. "I'm his wife. Pm the
Countess Constantine, after all. No,
we'll work it out some way" Amy
finished, rising, without your help,
Cherry, but many thanks to you just
the same"
A scream, dreadful in its high
pitched violence; a woman's voice
shrieking, ''No, no, mol" had rung
through the quiet Of the late after
noon. Kelly abruptly left the room.
There was a moments terrible si-
lence, and then Fran's voice, hys-
terical and choked with tears: mo,
no, no! They shan't! My darling,
they shan't! You didn't do it! / didl"
Then silence again except for a
low, indistinguishable murmur of
mems voices downstairs. Cherry
and old Mrs. Marshbanks remained
motionless, their eyes fixed on each
other. The older woman had col
lapsed into her chair, her face was
CHASTITY.
After an endless moment Kelly,
breathless, came back into the
room, his face grave.
They've arrested Franz" Cherry
managed to ask.
mo, not Fran. They told me
twenty minutes ago, after they had
him." Kelly said. "But they asked
me to wait for half an hour and to
be with you and Mrs. Marshbanks
when they made the arrest, and
told Fran. No; we've all been blind
as bats, Cherry. It was right under
our eyes, all the time. It was Rous-
seau."
Rousseau" the old woman's
voice held resonance, like bell.
Rousseau" Cherry whispered.
Kelly spoke quietly, struggling, his
arm about Cherry.
''He and Fran have been lovers
for months" he said.
Kelly, he's a boy! He's not twen-
ty."
Hes eighteen. But he gave his