The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-02-12

ST never guessed it because it
isn't true" Amy answered, in proud
distaste.
cit is true, my child. Your father
was fascinating man. Women
were drawn to him."
Cherry and I are the same age"
Amy protested. Gle was married.
I don't-of course, don't believe
it,"
Cherry was born two months too
soon. Her mother was Charlotte
Rawlings, the younger sister of
Emma Haskell, who was your
grandfather's nurse for years-my
housekeeper after that -"
''You are not hurting me-" Cherry
said steadily, interrupting.. "You
are talking of Amy's mother"
Amy turned to Cherry, pathetic
and bewildered. '"What is all this,
Cherry? What's she talking about?
/ think my grandmother's losing her
mind. What's it all about?'
81 saw Emma a few weeks ago,
up in the mountains" Cherry began,
speaking in voice suddenly hoarse
and weak. "She told me that-that
there had been a mistake in-in
you and me-in our identities, Amy,
when we were just newborn ba-
cot which there is absolutely no
proof" put in the old lady harshly.
'There was proof, Judge Marsh
banks will tell Amy SO if she asks
him." Cherry was beginning, when
Amy Interrupted again in her turn:
.sYou mean I'm not Amy. Marsh
banks, and my fathers and moth
er's child and Grandfather Yelling
toms grandchild? But that's so idi-
Otto"
You are right, Amy" said Mrs.
Marshbanks, more quietly than she
had yet spoken. "You are absolutely
right, my darling, and I am proud
of you. And now, girls, no more of
it. It's late, and l am going to
bed. Good night, Amy"
''What do you suppose got herr"
Amy asked in whisper when they
were in the hall. "She gets the most
crack-brained ideas! Come into my
room, Cherry. No, come on in a
minute. Is any of that true? Was
my father really your father, too?"
Emma says So" Cherry admit
ted, sick of the whole thing.
'.Uncle say seq"
tCUoo Va, T. -. l1n~ go.
When was here after Mrs. Porter
died"
'sHonest?" Amy asked, between a
smile and a frown. And Cherry
could see that she was not wholly
displeased with the idea. $50 Emma
and my father" unused Amy, a
deep dimple appearing in her flaw
less little cheek.
''Not Emma. Emma's younger
sister, Charlotte. She was only nine
teen. She was just out of boarding
school"
''That makes us cousins, doesn't
it," Amy asked, still marveling at
the strangeness of it. ''No, it
doesn't" she corrected it quickly,
sit makes us half sisters!"
Cherry was standing looking at
the other girl steadily. II think I'll
60 to bed, Amy. I'm terribly tired"
She went to her room and began
slowly to undress.
Before she fell asleep she heard
Fran and the judge come in, and
Amy's voice in the hall: ''Uncle Jud,
could speak to you minute?"
'Tonight?" said the judges pleas
ant voice in answer.
''If I could Unclel"
'sAn right, trot down to the libra
ry, there's a. fire there" Cherry
heard him say, and then Fran's
voice, .sIf it's that comic-opera
count, Jud, be firm with her!"
He followed Amy down, and there
was silence abovestairs. Cherry ner-
yously excited, got into bed intend
ing to wait until Amy came up, and
TO gather, if she could from Amy's
manner how the conference had
gone. But she was too sleepy. Long
before the light in the hall went out
she was deep in dreams.
They were troubled dreams.