Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-10-01
oulrm on her hassOcs. This is Iiviugr


what she was prone to regard as imper-
tinence. "Now isn't il, though + she
agreed, and talked on Of many things.
For while their way took them through
a thickly settled strip of country, where
as far as they could see trim little farms
dotted the green fields; now and then
little homes crowded close to the road
side; their doors were open to catch the
last OF the years warmth, and their yards
were bright with late flowers. Several
times the travellers caught sight of busy
housewives busting about the tiny kitch-
ems.
Putting up September peaches, Aunt
Deborah explained, ard smote ColonePs
defenseleSs back with the taut reinS, hall
angrily. it almost seemed.
As the afternoon wore on, the country
showed fewer houses. The sun took a
southwestward slant, and began 10 sink
quickly. The occupants of the buggy
grew quiet.
81 clean forgot" Aunt Deborah said,
breaking long pause, to charge Thad-
deus Beard about locking up that frowzy-
uecked Plymouth Rock that's made up
her fool mind TO Set"
The air grew chill, and that intinitesi-
NAL creature of the grass which sings the
autumn through struck up his keen fall
setto. Lights began to glimmer at inter
walls in the distance; all the little homes
that dusk had hidden were glowing anew.
Dogs barked and COWS lowed far away.
Night was close upon them.
Suddenly Roselle gave mournful cry.
Ppm homeSick I" she wept. 81 want 10
go ho-ome !"
"You are a very silly grill" Aunt De-
borah said, severely. This livelong
day you've nearly bounced the buggy off
the springs, you were that happy, and
now listen 10 you -
"But it's night now!" Roselle whim-
pered
There was no gainsaying that. A light
film had overspread the sky by this time,
so that all the stars were hidden, Aunt
Deborah, leaning far out, peered with
nearsighted eyes.
This is hard 10 understand" she said.
"For all my good memory, | can't find
Landmark in woods, or hills or yet creeks.
The real truth is, Anne, we've most prob
ably missed our way somehow"
Here was a perplexing situation, but
they decided 10 make the best of il, and
to turn into the next farm for the nights
lodging. The country seemed siugularly
devoid OF dwellings, but they plodded on
patiently, sure, each mile, that the next
turn would reveal twinkling light that
they might take for their goal.
A long, long silence fell; Colonel plod-
ded along at monotonous gait; strap
somewhere in the harness squeaked as 1t
rubbed; Roselle slept on her hassock in
the bottom Of the buggy. Anne marveled
at the change in Aunt Deborah she was
so quiet that it was almost as If another
person had taken the place beside her.
But after time, on the slope OF a sharp
hill, they passed lonely pedestrian. and
when the light OF his lantern flashed into
the buggy, Anne saw the old lady's face,
and understood better. The gay mood
had slipped off like an Il-fitting garment,
and the old eyes were tired and depressed.
Drowsiness must have overtaken Anne
at last, for she started when Aunt Deborah
finally broke the heavy silence. "Anne,
how many miles is il across the ocean 2"
Thousands and thousands" Anne an
swered, drowsllY.
Another silence ensued, but all at once
Anne was wide-awake. Thousands and
thousands of miles !" First ColouePs
hoofs seemed TO repeat the words in their
rhythmic beat, and then the squeaking
harness took up the refrain. One month
from tonight she herself would be across
the OCEAN thousands and thousands OF
miles"
Her thoughts bridged the great gulf,
and then came slipping slowly back. In
stead OF wide waters and far shores, she
saw, as in a picture, the old house that
had sheltered her all her life. Half me-
chanically, she began 10 count on her
fingers five months-no, six, with The
holidays at Christmas-in the last four
wears. Father himself had counted it
that way when Aunt Letitia's invitation
came she could hear his voice now
ready TO soften into consent, yet carrying
beneath its railIery a little half -querulous
note Of disappointment. Then slowly
her mothers face rose on the darkness
like star.
She sat up straight on the seat Of the
big buggy, and threw out her hands.
NO" she cried aloud, 81 don't want TO
Il will notl"
"Eh?" said Aunt Deborah, sharply.
The bundle IN the foot Of the buggy stir
red in its sleep. and sighed the tremulous
sigh Of grieved childhood-poor little
Roselle. homeless, and yet so homesick
"Wake up, Anne Yonder's house at
last"
Aunt Deborah leaned far out, in order
TO peer at pale glimmer IN the distance.
Colonel was already making for the
house as If he scented rest. but Aunt
Deborah was queerIy unenthusiastic for
an elderly lady who had spent long day
on the road. Anne seemed possessed
with a strange, fretful petuIance. Surely
it had been ages since they left peaceful
old FairfieIds that moruing--and how
was she to wait nine more interminabIe
days TO go back and tell her mother and
father the news she had for them 2 II