Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-07


stepping to the station platforms i'll mean
choly, casual manner which is characteristic Of
the Inhabitants of Cape Cod The rear car was entirely
empty and IN the forward car were an elderly woman
surrounded by brown-pa paper parcels, and brakeman
eating an apple in business-ke way, only these two
with the important exception OF Reuben Reed. He sal
in the middle of the looking out hXedy at the land
scape as it laziy crep into view; he had turned over
the seat in front of him. and his feet rested it. while
his arms were spread over the back of his seat
AS the train crossed bridge over small river, Reu-
ben sat ino sragher There the pine grove where
they used to have the Sunday-sdloo picnics; there
was the field where the huckeberries grew the hckest
there was old man Carvef's barn looming high a
sIopinp hillside Reuben remembered well how he had
helped build that barn. earning his first ten dollars by
lust opposite the station was the tavern; Reuben
thought it had shrun since he last It, and felt
luctant TO trust himself to its hospitahty but needs
must in certain combinations in life, SO he walked up
to its forbiddng door, found the 1andady, and hav-
ing made arrangements for the night set out foot
along the sandy road that beside the track 1t was
early in MAY, and the air biting sunset drew
near The rare appeees in the scanty orchards were
not vet in bloom but there was pink glow through the
branches telling of the sap that already sweed each
bud The steady Cape wind blew IN his face bending
easily the long, thin grasses that pushed through the
sand on the sides of the road.
Reuben walked with swing that soon took him out
of the village and in five minutes more he had gained
the schoolhouse where II stood far possible from
the center of civilization 10 be within reach
of the outlying farms. 1t dismal square wooden
building with two doors, for the girls, the other for
the boVs Reuben tried 10 open the righ-hand door
but it was locked. He sat down the steps and looked
at the small playground, bare and grim, trodden hard
by many hobnaiied boots Some child had dropped a
little bunch of sassafras flowers the step and he took
them I'D holding them thoughtfully in his hand
Here he was on the threshold of design planned by
him twenty years before and, till within eighteen
months the moving spring of his existence. He sat in
the very place where he had to be revenged
those who had wronged him. lad of nineteen. All his
boyhood had been hard and unlovey but never had he
known the pangs of injustice and disloyay till that
last week at home.
His expression was less lowering and energetic
as he started off in the direction of the old home with
swinging step 1t was not long before he reached the
boundary line of the north lot-the place where
their farm began; and then feeling ignored till then
leapt into conscousnesthe love OF land If Dave had
children they would be the fifth generation of Reeds tc
live there 1t was than hundred years since his
preat-prandfather had bought the place and put up
little two-roomed cabin he had prospered and his son
had built the large square where Reubens father
had been born, we'll himself and Dave Every fibre
of his heart responded the eloquent sent forth by
the trees along the walls by the grim rocks push
ing up their old heads through the short grass, and by
the red brick chimneys of the house itself, which now
came into sight.
This was his as much as Dawes; he would turn out
the others and here with Grace to make their
ner home where his ancestors had toed and struggled
with the obstinate soil he would buy Dave, after he
had received back his fifty dollars with twenty years
interest at five per cent.
pushed back the garden gate scowng to notice that one
of the hinges broken, and crunched up the gravel
path to the front door lie pulled the glass belhande
but il out in his hand and he was forced to rap
smary with his cane He heard person moving hastily
within but he did not see face pressed against the
window of the the right of the door as II some
one were trying to see who knocked imperayely In
a moment a bolt was drawn and thin, elderly woman,
whose faded face set in anxious lines stood before
Reuben. 90 ,
Reuben in his authoritative manner. Most people sue
cumbed at to this manner OF his and It was one OF
Grace's charms that she only laughed when he DOM
ineered But the woman before him was more than
ordinarily impressed; her eyes of dim blue, looked
like those of kitten who seeks shelter beneath bed
and her v0irP TeDHed:
Just now SIR but if you'd be good enough to wait"
She paused the upward infection of her voice turning
her timid suggestion into question.
Certainly, I'll wait I've not travelled from New
York for nothing" Reuben returned grimly
"Woud you mind, sir stepping into the sttlng-room;
The weathers still cold, and there's no fire IN the best
"Will Mr. Reed be long away" asked Reuben after
II think he'll be back in less than an hour now; my
husbands hard to move these days, and he's always for
getting home as soQn's he can"
image he had carried with him all these years? He
looked hard at her she took up her work. stocking
had been living to his mind Little by little he found
memories of the young schoomistress, but they were
as faded the sassafras flowers he had picked up
the schoolhouse steps
"Therc's a gentleman come to see father Lucy" said
her mother with mild reproo in her voice. glancing
toward the corner where Reuben had seated himself
The girl started oh, it seems real dark in here after
coming in from the sunset she said apoogeticaly /
didn't you at first
Don't mention it, said Reuben, looking keeny at
this girl the child of Lucy and Dave. She pretty
with fragile prettiness that holds world of pathos for
those who can read the meaning Of the oyer-briant
eye and the exquisite wild-rose pink III the cheeks
Reuben did not understand these signs; he only
that she was lovely appe-blossom and had a
taking little manner
Put up your work, mother" she went on; it's too
dark in here for you strain your eyes This is the
only time in the day when have the right 10 rest for
a moment, and | guess I'll make the most of it,"
I've no right to rest any time, said Mrs. Reed
querulousy suppose I'd ought 10 try to do the milk
ing since you can't 1t goes against me to think Of
those poor COWS having to wait till Reub gets back for
it may be moren hour yet"
"Well, you sha'nt and I can't" said the younger
Lucy, gaily; I'm sorry for em, too but I don't see
why we should suffer any more than cows"
Il used to milk every day when I was a boy" said
Reuben suddenly why won't you let me try my hand
now while I'm waiting for your father?"