The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-02-05

stunning, mustachioned, very much
at ease, and with him had come two
other, not very attractive. younger
men. The bridge game had ended;
they were sitting about the fire,
drinking highballs and listening to
the story of boar hunt in which
Gogo, according to his own account,
had acquitted himself to advantage.
Kelly and Cherry melted into the
circle, but Kelly did not stay long,
and when he had excused himself
Cherry went upstairs, too, feeling
herself happier, in an irrational, all
pervading way, than she had ever
been in her life before. He didn't
love Fran; he didn't love Fran!
81 beg your pardon!" Cherry was
startled by voice that addressed
her as she crossed the upper hall.
It was the elder Mrs. Marshbanks
who had spoken. She was standing
in her bedroom doorway. II asked
if you would step into my room a
moment?" the old lady said.
Oh, Kelly, come back, come back!
Cherry's thoughts called desperate
ly. She felt an impulse of actual
terror. She went slowly into the
luxurious warm bedroom, and at the
invitation of her companion took a
chair. sSsss
II wanted to speak to you," said
Mrs. Marshbanks. Il have tried be-
fore this to let you see how-how OBJ
noxious your presence is in this
house. 4 never would have counte-
nanced it in the first place. For
reasons that only he understands
my son has taken the position that
this family owes you something.
Owes you! You have received hun
dred times more than anything to
which you were entitled already.
You wormed your way in here, you
made friends, you knew in your
scheming little miserable soul that
every time you were here refused
to leave my rooms. That didn't
stop you; you came anyway! You've
come between me and my grand
daughter.
"Now you've come between me
and my son. He talked to me to-
night as no man ever should talk
to woman, least of all his mother!
You came to him with your story of
babies changed in their cradles, you
to inherit all that belongs to Amy
no proof, of course, no proof! And
so Amy's to be disgraced-ousted
from her place (. :,
tYou can't talk to me this way!"
Cherry said, on her feet. "Good
night, Mrs. Marshbanks!'
"No, don't 60. Don't go, or I'll
tell this whole household what you
came here today to do -. -
An abrupt stop, and silence.
Amy had called Cherry from the
hall.
sAmy, come in here!" her grand
mother said. -44
ssMrs. Marshbanks, / do beg
you-!" Cherry began. II do beg
you-!"
Amy came in, bewildered by their
manner and their looks.
Amy, I've something to say to
you'll" Mrs. Marshbanks said.
"You knew Gogo came in; Cherry
told you," Amy surmised defiantly.
"Well, he did, for fifteen minutes!
And / don't care"
''It has nothing to do with him. Sit
down. Cherry, sit down.
81 WON'T Cherry said fatty.
"And ! beg you to wait until to-
morrow and then talk to the judge
about this"
''Talk to Uncle about what?" Amy
asked amazedly.
about this GIRL" said her grand
mother, speaking in a light, pant
ing fashion, quite beside herself
with anger. sThis girl who is your
dear friend, and who loves you so,
and is such good company, and
wears F'ran's outworn frocks, and is
the daughter of servant--a serv-
ant in my house! This girl who
comes in now with claim that she
is Amelia Marshbanks' daughter,
and you are the unwanted one."
Amy looked from one to the other
with puzzled, but not in the least
alarmed expression.
81 haven't the slightest idea what
you're talking about, Gran" she
said. The old woman, with Sudden
look of resolution, spoke again:
Amy, there's something you've
never known, something hoped you
never would know. But you'll have
to hear it now. for your Uncle feels
he must tell you. Well, he'll not
tell you, for wilt You never
guessed that your father was also
Cherry's father2"
RIO RE CONTINLED3