The Heart Remembers by Peggy Gaddis Page A

exactly the place for you.”
    Marian laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve decided to rent rooms in the local hoosegow, Jimmy my lad. Though it might be one way of making the taxpayers a little money.”
    â€œIt’s an idea,” Jim admitted. “But I know another place where’s there’s a very attractive room, undoubtedly with kitchen privileges, though you’d have to work that out with your landlady.”
    Marian’s eyes were wide and she shot a startled glance toward Selena, who was in low-voiced consultation with a dignified looking elderly Negro in a stiffly starched white coat.
    â€œOh, now, wait a minute; you know Miss Selena would have a fit at the bare idea of renting a room,” Marian protested.
    â€œOh, no, I didn’t mean at Pinelands. It would be too far from your job,” said Jim, and turned, drew Shelley’s hand through his arm, and brought her about to face Marian. “Miss Kimbrough, permit me to introduce your new boarder; Miss Harper, meet your new landlady. And I feel sure you two will be very happy together!”
    Marian said, confused and embarassed, “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Jim, don’t you suppose if she’d wanted a roomer she’d have said so when I placed the ad? Pay him no mind, Shelley.”
    â€œBut I think it’s a marvelous idea! For goodness’ sake, why didn’t we think of it before? If you think you’d like it, Marian—if you don’t want too much luxury—which, being brutally frank, means none at all! No running water. Electric lights,
yes
, but very little else!” protested Shelley eagerly.
    Marian’s pretty oval face beneath twin wings of shining dark hair was glowing with eagerness.
    â€œOh, Shelley, don’t kid me. Do you really mean it? I love your little house. It’s cute as the dickens and picturesque as all get-out. But are you sure Iwouldn’t be crowding you?”
    â€œQuite sure, I’d love having you,” laughed Shelley. She went on, without having had the slightest intention of saying anything of the kind, “But it’s only fair to warn you: I think we’ve got ha’nts. Do you mind?”
    â€œHa’nts?” Marian laughed. “Lamb, if you could see where I’m living now! After sharing a room with two half grown girls who spend half the night rolling their hair up in curlers, discussing Cary Grant and Gregory Peck and playing Sinatra records on a wheezing little old victrola, vintage of the 20’s, any well-behaved, self-respecting ha’nt would be a relief. Only of course you’re kidding.”
    â€œI imagine I am,” responded Shelley. “But after all, when my house is supposed to be haunted, I’ve a right to see something on a stormy night, haven’t I?”
    The others clamored for the story and lightly, deliberately stressing the melodramatic tale with the idea of burlesquing it into something ridiculous, Shelley related what she had seen.
    Almost before she had finished, Selena, her hands gripped so tightly together that the old-fashioned rings on her fingers stood out heavily, interrupted, her voice tight with anger.
    â€œReally, Miss Kimbrough, you are being absurd and in the worst possible taste. I very much resent your spreading such a lurid and impossible tale. If you are trying deliberately to keep from sharing your place with Miss Harper, don’t you think it would be more honest just to tell her frankly you don’t want her?”
    The reproof in the tone and Selena’s obvious anger blazing in her eyes were so stinging that Shelley’s cheeks burned, and she felt, as Selena wanted her to feel, like a naughty child being reprimanded in front of its elders.
    â€œI am sorry, Miss Durand. I apologize,” she saidwhen she could steady her voice. “I did not mean to be offensive. It simply struck me as a rather amusing tale.”
    â€œI see nothing amusing in