Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-15

Gerry had always been quiet but
during the long drive from the station
to The Firs. his silence amounted to
penetrating stiffness. Alix felt it but
II did not depress her: she knew her
self to be In the presence OF a COM
munion. Gerry was devoting the hour
OF his return to the scenes OF his boy
hood to a silent consecrstion. These
cool valleys and hollows; the Low
road. with its purling accompaniment
OF hidden waters the embowered still
nave OF Long lane. were as the ances-
trail halls of the IRnsings. 1t was right
that he should do homage to the menu
ories they evoked.
To his mother Gerry made no expla-
nations. He knew that TO her it was
enough that her boy had come back.
When Mrs. Lansing released him, Alix
caught his hand and led him up to the
nursery. Together they looked down
upon their sleeping child.
Gerry, Jr., was fat to the verge OF
a split. His curly tow head was
tousled and on his brow a slight per-
spiration testified to the labor OF sound
sleep. His arms were outStretched.
His legs had kinks at the knees, they
were so chubby. His petulant little
mouth was half open, disclosing tiny
teeth.
Isn't he beauty p asked AK lit
tie loudly, wishing he would awaken.
Gerry nodded With his eyes still
on the child he put his arm around
Alix and drew her 10 him. What Mar
garita had done for him. Alix had done.
As he felt her fral body quivering in
his embrace, as he looked back and
measured the sacrifice by what the
awful night Of the coming of the Man
had taught him, he was overwhelmed
by a new humility He turned Alix's
face up to his. His lips moved in an
effort to thank her but words failed
him. Alix understood. She lifted her
arms around his neck and drew his
head down. He held her body very
close as he kissed her, softly, ador-
ingly. Alix hid her face against his
shoulder for moment and then threw
back her head and shook the tears
from her eyelashes. She smiled through
wet eyes. II am afraid he's not quite
perfect-inside. Such temper, Gerry.
I'm afraid he'll grow up into a man
about town and awfully wild" She
turned grave eyes on Gerry, Jr., and
think"
Gerry smiled. From the looks Of
him 1 predict he gets his letter in
freshman year-center on the football
team"
yes. perhaps" said Alix thought
fully. Everybody calls him Fatty al
ready"
1t was from Alan that Gerry learned
that Kemp was still in town closing up
his connection with the orchid firm.
Gerry wired him. begging him to come
to The Firs for few days before he
went West. Alix had told of Kemp's
word of comfort.
After the first excitement of getting
home was over Gerry found himself
restless with the same restlessness that
had attacked him during the days at
Piranhas. He tried for a solution in
the same way. Day after day. long
before the rest of the Hill was awake,
he was of for a ten-mile walk.
At first it was with head dropped
and eyes on the ground that he plowed
his way through a dew-soaked world.
but there came a time when he walked
with head thrown back full lungs and
level eyes.
Then Kemp arrived. Gerry tried to
get him to join him in his walks but
Kemp shook his head sadly.
EFF yo' can't let me have boss. Mr..
Lansing" he said. I'll ride the cow"
Gerry laughed They saddled the
horses themselves and started out On
| the top Of old Bald Head Gerry dis
mounted and sat down on a rock.
Kemp followed suit.
Kemp" said Gerry, 81 want to
thank you for the things you said to
my wife-Alix."
Kemp flushed and waved deprecat-
ing hand.
You saw things straight" went on
Gerry, "and want to thank you. too,
for letting me hog-tie myself"
Il amt curious about that. Mr. Ian
sing" said Kemp. so much's about
what you're goin' to do when yo' unite
yo'seff."
Well" said Gerry. I've thought
that out too. For while 1t used to
break my heart TO think about Fa-
zenda Flores but it came to me the
other day that what there is of me that
amounts to ANYTHING is lust Fazenda
Flores.
ITO BE COntinued)
! Trxx TaIao~,,oL XEToa4 Al.