The midland journal., 1916-04-21

'I've tried" said the Judge. 'and he
says he's not ready not strong enough.
told him that's what he ought to go
for-to get strong and he said q fun
ny thing. There's kind Of strength
we must generate or borrow. didn't
borrow, so now I'm generating. 1t
takes time And then he dropped OF
to sleep. Before, he used to run. you
through with his tongue when he
wanted to stop conversation. Now he
just goes to sleep. It's just as enec-
tive and almost as original"
One afternoon the, judge came in
with smile on his face. "Alan is bet
ter" he announced.
''Isn't he better every dayT' asked
Alix.
mot like this said the Judge. 'sYou
know Fleureur? OF course you don't.
You wouldn't. Can't imagine how he
ever got into the club, but he did. Well,
it's long time since Mr.. Fleureur has
been asked to cut in at bridge at the
club or anywhere else. Yesterday he
came in and saw Alan for the first
time since his return. Halo, Wayne
/ he said, back again and doing the
heavy swell as ever, only not quite SO
heavy inside the clothes now, ehY Alan
is getting touchy over being weak
ling. That's good sign, too, by the
way. He looked sideways out OF his
sleepy eyes at Fleureur and you bet
everybody listened The judge paused
at thus forgetting himself; then he
went on: "Alan said, do clothes matter
such lott Somehow. it seems to me
It doesn't make any difference how
much man wakes his muStache as
long as he doesn't wax his finger
nails"
Alix' face lit up. ssOh, that is Alan"
The judges eyes twinkled. EYES," he
said, tand then Alan went OF to sleep
like shot and FIeureur remembered
an engagement. The whole clubs
cheered up. The club didn't know
what was the matter with ITSELF but it
knows now. 1t was missing Alan after
he had come back
Alan had written to Mrs. J. z. that
he was planning to motor from town
to Red Hill Glen, as Mrs. J. Y.'s
deputy, had answered his letter, prom
ising him warm and long welcome at
Maple House. She gave him way
bill. "It's the simplest way-bill in the
world" she wrote, ''out Of town and
along the sound till you come to the
river. then up the valley till the, bald
top of East mountain signals you from
the left. Climb the mountain, and
from there the old church win lead
you home."
The old church will lead you home"
Alan repeated to himself as he let his
relaxed body lounge across the tom
neau and trusted to cushions and
springs to take up the bumps. His
thoughts raced ahead of him to Red
Hill. In memory he plodded over
dusty roads and through messy lanes,
swan. ished and loafed, wept and
laughed. He was going back to the
cradle of all his emotions.
The wind and the motion of the ear
made him sleepy. He dozed. He awoke
to see East mountain looming In the
distance. Steadily the car drew into
its lee. Alan sighted climbing road
and called directions to- the driver.
From the bare top of the mountain
he made out the old church, white
speck on far-away hill. He stood IN
and traced the course they were to fol-
low. He was filed with strange ex-
element. Never mind the bumps
open her up," he ordered, and sat
down and closed his eyes.
Long lane was as cool as memory
and as balmy with the twining odors
OF birch and sassafras and laurel as
childhood's recollection. Alan drew q
long. full breath and then the car ran
out on to the top of Red Hill, swcryed
to the right and turned in under the
low-hanging limbs Of the naples.
1t was early afternoon. The old
homestead was very still. AS the car
drew up at the curb girl rose from a
deep chair on the veranda and stepued
forward. Alan caught his breath and
stared. He felt himself little boy.
Nance, mere rosebud OF girl, stood
before him and smiled at his bewn-
dered face. You're Uncle Alan. aren't
you" The soft voice sustained illu-
sion. but the words brought him to
himself-made him feel suddenly older
by generation. Then he smiled back
at her and chaffed, "Y0u have been
busy since saw you last. Have / the
honor OF presenting myself to Miss
Sterling?'
''The same" replied the girl, laugh
ing. ''and your niece
Come. That's enough. Don't rub
It in. Besides, you're only niece by
courtesy. By the family tree we're
cousins"
"All right. I'll be a cousin to You
IL you like 1t better" remarked Nance,
junior. demurely.
Alan had sprung out. He caught her
hands and kissed her. Her fresh mouth
brushed his cheek.