The midland journal., 1946-05-03
CHAPTER Nv


no children" she explained. "She
Is widow. She came here to live
in the spring, because, as she
frankly stated, her income has
shrunk so much that she can't af-
ford to live anywhere else. And she
amuses herself by ferreting out
small things that people would rath-
er not have known-and then-sort
of broadcasts them where they will
create the most excitement.
'She sounds like thoroughly un-
pleasant person." said Tom GRIM
ly. "And a dangerous one. Where
does she liver"
"Across the road" answered Me-
gan, indicating the once drab little
house that now wore an air of fresh
ness that was almost charm.
Tom said sternly, suddenly, II
think I'll have little talk with Mrs.
Stevenson"
But Megan laid swift hand on
his arm, stopping him.
"Please DON'T" she said urgently.
"After all, nothing can be gained
by talking to her. We've all tried
it-she only uses our protests and
arguments to add more fuel to her
talk. We've found that the best
way is to avoid her, and give her
as little material as we can."
Tom nodded grinly. "Just the
same, / think I'll have little talk
with her." he said, and before Me-
gan could stop him he had turned
and strobe away in the direction of
the little silvery-gray house with its
green trim.
It was almost half an hour before
Tom came back and stopped at the
back door to get the two bottles of
milk and the eggs that she had
waiting for him.
His face was grim and set. There
was little white line about his
mouth, and his eyes were angry. But
he managed slight smile that
tried hard to be comforting, and
said quietly, 81 don't think you need
to worry any more. And there is
no reason why you should not con-
tinue your walks to the Ridge any
time you like. I think Mrs. Steven
son is going to mend her ways a
bit"
He picked up the milk and the
sack of eggs and went his way.
After a minute Annie said, as she
slid a pan of biscuits deftly into the
oven, "Dat Miz Stevenson sho' do
make heap Of trouble, don't she?"
Megan looked at her sharply.
"What do you mean by that, An
nie?" she demanded swiftly.
"She ben tellin' folks dat Ruby
Mae-dat's PEARLS gal-stole ring
off'n her." said Annie. can Ruby
Mae, she say she amt nebber seed
de ole ring. An den dat ole Miz
Stevenson, she tell people she found
de ring on de back po'ch, wheh she
say Ruby Mae done hid it; she
say Ruby Mae skeered Miz Steven
son gonna call de Law an she stick
de ring up deh so folks think she
amt took it."
Annie Strengthened, put her strong
brown hands on her hips and faced
Megan almost belligerently.
''Miss Meggie, dat po' chile amt
stole nuthin'," she said sharply.
RUBY Mae good gal! Y'all knows
dat, Miss Meggie-but white folks
always believes white folks 'ste'd O.
colored folks-an' Ruby Mae CANT
git a job"
Annie's lower lip thrust out lit
tie more and her chocolate brown
eyes were almost black. "Some-
times when folks do like Miz' Ste
venson-things happen to 'em."
They were not more than half
way through supper when the front
door opened and a cheerful voice
called, "Yoo-hoo-it's only mel I'll
come right inl"
It was Alicia, of course, cool and
fresh looking in brown and yellow
print frock. her hair brushed into
coquettish curls, a yellow bow
tucked into it. She was rather
heavily rouged as usual, and if she
was feeling the unpleasantness of
Toms visit, she certainly did not
show it.
Jim MacTavish, always with an
eye for an attractive woman, greet
ed her with obvious pleasure, and
drew out a chair for her. She de-
INJURED prettily at their invitation
to have supper. And then she
broached the subject of her visit;
she had bought some new window
shades for her house and was COM
pletely helpless when it came to
putting them up, and wondered-so
prettilyl-if Mr.. MacTavish would
give her q hand.
II know it's terrible to ask you to
help, Mr.. MacTavish," she apollo
gized. "but it's simply impossible
to get anyone to do anything in this
crazy little place. mean to hire
anyone. It makes one serribIy de-
pendent On. one's friends. Pm afraid