The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-01
This is one of The Times
Novel a-Week
series.
II will be finished in six
big installments.
CHAPTER /.
Everybody Gets There.

EtCuyuOuy oNNS h"SsVs
There was something pathetic
in the serene Inconsistencies OF
the little village as the stage came
numbering down the hillside,
bearing its freight Of portent. So
many things we're going to be
changed forever after-and no
one knew 1t.
Old Mrs. Croft, clear at the
other end of town, and paralyzed
for 20 years. hadn't the slightest
conception OF what leading part
was being prepared for her to
play. Poor Katie Croft, her
daughter-in-law and slave, whose
prayer was for freedom, dreamed
not that the answer was now at
last coming near.
Mrs. Cowmull, sitting on her
porch awaiting the artist who
had advertised" knew not who
or what or how old he might be
or the interest that would soon
be hers
Poor Emily Mead. Smelling
peas on the bench at the back of
her mothers house, frowned
fretfully, and, putting back her
great lock of rich chestnut hair
with an impatient gesture, wish
ed that she might see Just one
real man before she died"-and
the man was even then jolting
toward her.
Miss Debby Vane, putting last
touches to the flowers on her
guest-room table, where Made
line would see them, was also
sweetly unaware of the approach
of momentous events. She
thought but OF Madeline, the dis
tant cousin whose parents want
ed to see if absence would break
up an obnoxious love affair, and
so were sending her to Miss Deb
by, who was only too pleased"
Meanwhile, Miss Matilda Drew
stood looking sternly out of her
sister Susans window, consider
ing If there were any necessary
yet up to now forgotten point to
be impressed upon Jane the in
slant that she should arrive. Miss
Matilda was naturally as ignor-
ant as all the rest-as ignorant,
even, as poor Susan, lying prim-
ly straight on the bed. Susan
was a widow and an invalid, not
paralyzed, like old Mrs. Croft,
but pretty helpless. Matilda had
lived with her for five years and
tended her assiduously, as she
grew more and more feeble.
Now Matilda was about give
out" and-"jist like a answer
out of a clear sky" as Matilda
said-their niece Jane, whom
neither had seen since she was a
mite in curls, fifteen years ago,
had written to ask If she might
spend her holidays with them.
They had said yes" and NATL
da was going away for rest
while Jane kept house and waited
on her poor old aunt. Jane was
one of the passengers now rat
Ting along in the stage.
Jane sat on the rear seat with
old Mr.. Cattermole, who was
coming home to his daughter
Mrs. Mead.
Ever been here before?" old
Mr.. Cattermole asked her.
mo, never"
"Hey?"
mo. never"
"What?"
Never"
"I'll tell you what 1t u.s." sale
Mr.. Cattermole, beaming benevo
lently, ITS the jolting. 1t keep
me from hearing what you say"
Jane nodded, smiling.
The next minute they arrives
at Mrs. Cowmull's. Lorenzo Rath
| the artist. wriggled out over tw,
boxes and under flapping cur
! tain, and down onto the sidewalk
Mrs. Cowmull was standing OF
! the porch.
Here" said the stage driver
suddenly delivering Lorenzo
trunk onto the top OF his head
and here's the lampshade an,
the codfish-they get down here
] too"
} Lorenzo couldn't help laughing
EAU revoir," he cried, waving tn
lampshade as the steps began Il
1 move.
q Seemed a nice young Teller,
said old Mr.. Cattermole to Jane
y Yes" She tried to speak loud
x ly.
= Hey"
n yes"
) "I'll tell YOU" said old Mr.. Cat
z termole benevolently, you com
y and see my granddaughter, Emily
= and then We'll talk. My grand
o daughters a great student. We'r
3 very proud of her. Only she don
q get carried"
Q Then the stage stopped, an
5 Mrs. Mead came running out. "Ot
y father, did you buy the new mag
s azines-on the train, you know?
5 Old Mr.. Cattermole was DIES
g cending backward. cts m
e daughter" he said to Jane.
% can always hear her because sh
. speaks SO plain. Yes, Emma,
( was dusty, very dusty"
g And then they went on agar
% Madeleine now had space to tur
&C about, you'll come and see me !?