The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

kkr row long viii it be now.
Georgel Aren't we almost
u thereS"

Georgei Aren't we almost
IL there?"
''Yes, it won't be long now The next
station is Woodville, then carterstown,
and then Harrisburg"
ats Just three more stations, thenf"
"Just three more, Are you tired,
dear?"
mo, it isn't that, only-I want to have
it over. am beginning to dread it SOP
Dread it? Why, Winifred, dread
going. to my home?"
Eyes, l know, but / have met none OF
your people except your father and
mother at the wedding, and you know
how cold and formal they were. l felt
then that they disapproved of me"
you only thought so, dear. They
can't help liking. you when they know
you-the dearest little woman in the
world"
All day she had been trying to pic
ture what the home of his people would
be like. She had seen only a small
kodak picture of it, taken in the sum-
mer, and the trees had almost hidden the
house.
"Carterstown Numbered the brake
man, fercely slamming the door.
Its the next station now, dear"
He helped her on with her wraps,
q took down the suit-cases and umbrellas
from the racks above.
They stepped from the train to a
crowded platform. She waited for some
Ane to come up and take the bags from
his hands. He was looking nervously
around the crowd. There was no one
thereI
This way, Winifred. l guess the
carriage is over back of the station"
Her face flushed hotly. There was
no one there to meet them!
"HeIes the carriage-oyer there.s
She could see the carriage lamps
shining through the dark. AS they
drew nearer she saw it was empty ex-
cept for the driver.
How are you, Parker: Any of the
folks here?"
Glad to see you, Mr.. George. No,
sir. l don't think anyone is here, mol
one came up in the carriage, sir
"Oh, all right" She felt he was try
ing to keep the disappointment out of
his voice.
He put Winifred in on the back seat,
covered her with the rugs, handed the
grips up front to Parker, and sprang
in beside her.
And there was no one to meet u.s."
1t was the first time she had spoken
since they left the train.
oh, you mustn't think anything of
that. You see, it's so near Christmas,
l guess they are all pretty busy. Now,
dear, you mustn't begin to feel hurt at
little things like that"
He pointed out a number of places
along the way.
She tried TO seem interested and re-
sponsive, but she would reply only in |
monosyllables.
ITS just around the next corner now
you can see part of the roof from here"
They drew up before a large gray
brick house, set far back from the street. |
He lifted her out and hurried her up
the gravel path. No one was out to
greet them, the front door was not even |
open.
q guess they didn't hear the car
rage" George said apologetically.
He threw open the door, led her
through the hall and into the library.
It.was empty except for boy about six
teen, who was reading magazine
Hello, Bertr'
Hello, George, how are your"
They shook hands warmly.
"Winifred, this is my brother Bert"
He greeted her with boyish awkward
ness. Carrie and the children came
this n1orning. l guess mother is up
stairs with them. I'll go tell her you're
here"
Parker came in with the bags. Shall
leave them here, Mr.. George, or take
them up to your room?"
why, guess you'd better take them
right on up, Parker"
Winifred was buttoning and unbut-
toning her glove, the hot color burning
her cheeks.
you mustn't attach any meaning to
this, dear. You see, its Christmas time,
and everyone" /
Bert came in now. Mother will be
down in a moment"
There was an awkward pause. Then
George asked him about his college and
the length OF his vacation.
Some one was coming down the steps;
a rustic of skirts in the hall and Mrs.
Martin entered. When the greetings
were over, George said he was afraid
Winifred was worn out with the jour
ney and would like to go to her room.
you needn't come up, mother; Park
er has already taken up our things, and
/ guess I know the way" laughingly.