The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-02-26
CHAPTER XVI

This IS the nrSr I've nearo Oh
this" said the old woman, in a
voice of desperate resignation.
81 only knew of it myself yester-
day. I'd put them in a place that
seemed absolutely safe. They fer
reted them out"
Cherry had finished. She went to
take the chair opposite the older
Mrs. Marshbanks at the fire.
''Hello, everyone!" Kelly Coates
stood in the doorway.
Cherry's heart gave great
spring, began to tremble with fear
and pain. Oh, she did not want to
see Kelly this morning, not after
Fran,s story of the letters, not after
the wonderful day he and she had
had together at Topcote!
She would have escaped, but there
was no escape. He came in, greet
ing Fran and old Mrs. Marshbanks
and Gregory, catching Cherry's
hand as he stood beside her, but
with no other look or greeting, and
spoke at once of Amy's elopement.
He hoped it had not too much dis
tressed her grandmother.
ct don't know any good Of him!"
Mrs. Marshbanks said of Count Go
20, yisibly touched by Kelly's solicit
'tude in spite of her stiff manner.
cat all events, Amy is deter
mined young lady and knows her
own mind. She may mold him into
lust the husband she wants" Kelly
said comfortingly. And then to
Fran: "You telephoned that you
wanted to see me about some
thing?"
''Could we talk for few minutes,
Kelly?" Fran asked, rising. Some
thing has happened" Cherry heard
her say as they went away together,
.'and I don't know how serious it
may be-"
Cherry's own heart sick with APP
prehension, she went through the
gloomy big halls up to her own room
a few minutes later. It seemed to
Cherry that life would never be
right and happy again. She was try
ing to master her tears when May
came in with the message that Mr..
Coates would like to see her a mo-
ment.
Kelly looked at her a moment,
then squared her gently about with
his big hands and asked her why
she had been crying.
GIVE felt-so horrible!" Cherry
faltered, fresh tears yelling in her
ewes. She could not face him.
'sWhat about, now, Warehouses?
Nerves? Is all this beginning to get
you?"
ooh, Kelly, I'm so wretched about
those letters! ! knew--of course !
knew" Cherry faltered, "that you
were fond of Fran; / knew that
Just as soon as ! met her, or you!
But it hurts me so-it hurts me So
when I was so happy thinking that
YOU and / would be together-to
have this happen now! To have the
police get them and the newspa-
pers; it spoils everything!"
'sWhy does it spoil everything?"
he asked gravely, still holding her
lightly with both hands behind her
shoulders. "Look at me, Cherry.
This doesn't spoil anything. Do you
mean that you don't want to come
to Sausalito now?"
She smiled up at him through
tears.
s'Oh, Kelly. but it makes it all so
horrid!" she said, even though hope
was dawning in her voice.
Cherry, you just said that you
knew I'd cared-or that at one time
some months ago, ! thought was
crazy about Fran. never asked
her to come to Sausalito and run
me: never thought of her doing
any such thing"
Didn't she tell you about the let
ters?"
.sOf course she did,"
"You-you comfort me by just
s-s-saying anything!" Cherry said,
laughing with wet lashes. She seat
ed herself in a. big fireside chair,
and Kelly came to sit on the broad
arm, holding tight to her hand.
Lets have it. What about the
letters?"