The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-01-08


rying, and wondered if you'd come
. stammered Cherry.
call or two to make in Anterior and
Menlo Park, and who would pick
Cherry up for the return trip after
Cherry had introduced herself to her
new landlady and inspected her
quarters.
When she and Fran were in the
car, Fran said presently, run the
window down, will you, Cherry? It's
warm"
Wouldn't you rather have the
side windows DOWN."
mo, want to speak to Rousseau.
Rousseau, go the old road, will you,
please?" Fran asked, when she
could speak to the chauffeur. "FOr
promised I'd stop at the antique
shop" T@ i-aE
The young Frenchmanl did not
turn his head. But he nodded slight
ly.
''No, wait a minute, think well
do that after we leave Miss Rawl-
ings in Palo Alto," Fran changed it
suddenly.
''Now what's she about?" Cherry
thought. "She's meeting someone"
"I've not seen Kelly Coates for
weeks" Fran presently said
thoughtfully, as if reading Cherry's
mind. SHE telephones, but haven't
happened to be in. I like him, too
''He likes you," Cherry said dar-
ingly.
don't your" Fran asked. sl~a Il
''Now and then"
''Lately?" M
'".The day we closed up Mrs. Por-
ter's house-that was day before
yesterday-I saw him them" Cher
ry said, emitting any mention of the
Sausalito visit. "We walked little
while in the Presidio." w
"You like him lot, don't you?"
the soft, hoarse voice with its hid
den notes of laughter and of tears
asked simply.
Cherry felt the blood in her face.
"I-guess So" she admitted, swal-
lowing.
s'Too bad" Fran said absently.
''I'm sorry about Kelly! was very
unhappy when married judi" she
presently went on, land / told him
that although didn't love him as
might love some man some day
he's twenty-five years older than
am, you know -
"But that's all the more reason"
Fran began again, after a pause,
'why should play fair with him."
She paused. Cherry, l wonder if
you will do something for me-"
.'I'd be so glad, Mrs. Marsh
banks!"
''To begin WITH Fran said with
a direct smile from under her silky
black bangs, and ultramodern hat,l
''don't call me Mrs. Marshbanks!
It sounds as if / were an elderly.
aunt
Fran, then. What can do?"
t'I'm trying to think it out, exact
ly," Fran answered. 81 think I
mean that I'd like you to be friend
of Kelly's, Cherry, and help him see
my position. If were free," Fran
went on thoughtfully, "I'd marry
him. But I'm not free. You see.
Cherry, two years ago-more than
two years ago, when we'd been mar
ried-oh, perhaps eighteen months
or SOL told Jud that / wanted to
live my own life. I didn't want to
be his wife any nore-suddenly /
went restless and unhappy, and it
was that. didn't want to be his
wife!"
Fran continued: perhaps I'm a
little less scrupulous than / might
be about won't say flirting, hate
the word! But about friendships with
men, liking men. ] can't help it.
I've made :" And to Cherry's
establishment the dark eyes so near
her own were suddenly misting.
'sI've made such a mess Of my life
so far" Fran said, "that I'm going
to play the game now"
$50 if you can," Fran concluded,
as Cherry continued to watch her in
silent fascination, put that to KEEL
ly. He likes you. He thinks you're
interesting. And you see, nowadays
don't see him at all. / promised
Jud I'd not see him unless it was
unavoidable, and it is avoidable.
"This is your place; it looks COM
Portable enough" Fran said as the
car stopped. ASK Rousseau to 90
to the gas station in Anterior. will
you, and we'll find out there where
the Rasmussen place is. And Wen
be back for you at five."
Cherry, delightfully."- thrilled, de-
seconded at a green hedge not too
well trimmed. Mrs. Pringle, large
and untidy, took her up to her room,
which was large, -.
/T0 RI c0NTTNTfFDl