Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-07-20

mother of four. There arose a babel
of hearty greetings, but through them
all could be heard the rumble of the
echolike believing.
'Ssht' said Alan, holding up his
hand. What's that noise?"
Glen laughed Its the captain .
she said. Listen"
In the silence the rumbling became
7ociferation. Bring him up here.
Bring him up here, dammit
You'd better go quickly" remarked
Nance, junior. Hes begun to swear
and mother doesn't like Us to hear if.
Alan hurried into the house and up
to the captains room. The grown-ups
followed but stopped below and wait
ed. Nance, junior, remained to direct
the chauffeur to the barn.
Excuse me, miss" said that vor-
thy, but Mr.. Wayne hasn't had bite
to eat since seven this morning. You
might not think to ask him, you see,
50 I thought I'd tell you"
81 see, replied the young lady, and
added with ready wit and a smile.
''just find the kitchen and tell the
cook"
Alan found the captain propped on
many pillows. His bulging eyes had
the same old glare, his close-cropped
hair still made an effort, though feeble,
to insurgency, but his corpulence was
gone. He had collapsed at last and
was bedridden after severe stroke.
HUH" was his greeting.
Alan sat down beside the bed. How
do you do, sir?"
"Do? I do all right. It's the liquor
in this country that's gone off, sir.
Corked whisky. That's all that's left.
I'll show you, Alan" And he roared,
after a preliminary puff, 1.-TWO whis-
kies.'
Mrs. Wayne appeared. "Now, cap
tain" she said softly. whats this?
Two at a time? You're getting bet
teri
The captain subsidized. zone for
Alan" he grunted
The drinks came. Alan welcomed
his. He was tired and faint after the
long journey. The captain gazed on
his own glass defantly but ordered the
maid to set it on the table at his side.
Alan waited long for him to take it
up, and then he saw that the captain
had fallen asleep. Alan slipped his
drink. The captain was right, it was
favOrIess. But Alan remembered that
he had thrown away his last cigarette
for the same reason. He sighed.
In spite of the Judge, Alix was feel
ing very lonely, abandoned, unIoved.
She sat on the little veranda at the
back Of the town house and day
dreamed. Across her knee lay the
morning paper. A word caught her
eye. Elenic Half unconsciousIy she
read: Among the arrivals by the
Elenic Hon. Percy ColIinge-
ford
top of East mountain signals you from
the left Climb the mountain, and
from there the old church will lead
you home"
y
Alan repeated to himself as he let his
relaxed body lounge across the ton
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, fshed and loafed, wept and
laughed. He was going back to the
cradle Of all his emotions.
The wind and the motion Of the car
made him sleepy. He dozed. He awoke
to see East mountain looming in the
distance. Steadily the car drew into
its lee Alan sighted a climbing road
and called directions to the driver
From the bare top Of the mountain
he made out the old church, a white
spGck on a PARKWAY hill. He stood up
and traced the course they were to fol
low. He was filed with a 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
chiIdhood's recollection. Alan drew
long, full breath and then the car ran
out on to the top of Red Hill, swerved
to the right and turned in under the
Iow-hanging limbs Of the naples.
1t was early afternoon. The old
homestead was very still AS the car
drew up at the curb a girl rose from
deep chair on the veranda and stepped
forward. Alan caught his breath and
stared. He felt himself a little boy.
Nance, a mere rosebud of a girl, stood
before him and smiled at his Devil
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 a generation. Then he smiled back
at her and chaffed, you have been
busy since I 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 III be a cousin to you
if you like it better" remarked Nance.
Junior, demureIy.
Collingeford! She started to her feet
o-5 4b0r, v-I+J, 1-F,o+ ~oo,,o1 - $1,000,