The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-01-27
oASoryof
Today and
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were Qull OuCe mOISs hC Pi~
the bills and slowly counted them. Il
shall return the money, sir" he said
and walked out.
He went to the stables and ordered
the pony and cart for the afternoon
train. As he came out he saw Nance
the children and the captain coming
slowly up Long lane from the farm'
He dodged back into the barn through
the orchard and across the lawn. MIS-
JY. stood in the garden directing the
relaylng of flower beds. Alan made
circuit. AS he stepped into the road
swift steps came toward him. he
wheeled and faced Glen coming at
full run. He turned his back on her
and started away. The swift steps
stopped so suddenly that he looked
around. Glen was standing stock sun.
one awkward, lanky leg half crooked
as though it were still running. her
skirts were absurdly short. Her little
fists, brown and scratched, pressed her
sides. Her dark hair hung in a tan
gIed mat over a thin, pointed face. Her
ewes were large and shadowy. Two
tears had started from them and were
crawling down soied cheeks. She was
uuivering all over like woman struck.
Alan swung around and strobe up
TO her. He put one arm about her
thin form and drew her to him. Don't
cry, Clem," he said, don't cry. l
| 20 hI1pt vOu "
For one moment she clung to him
and buried her face against his coat.
Then she looked up and smiled
through wet eyes. "Alan. I'm so glad
you've come"
Alan caught her hand, and together
they walked down the road to the OLD
church. The great door was Locked
Alan loosened the fastening OF smut
ter, sprang in through the window ana
drew Glen after him. They climbed
to the belfry. From the belfry one
saw the whole world with Red Hill as
its center. Alan was disappointed
The hill was still half naked-almost
bleak. Maple house and Elm house
shone brazenly white through budding
trees. They looked as if they had
crawled closer to the road during the
winter. The Firs, with its black Dor
der Of last years foliage, looked fune,
real. Alan turned from the scene, but
Clem's little hand drew him back.
Clematis McAlpin had happened be-
tween generations. Alan, Nance, Gerry
Lansing and their friends had been toe
old for her and Nance's children were
too young. There were Elton children
of about her age. but for years they
had been abroad. Consequently Glen
had grown to fifteen in a sort Of lone
liness not uncommon with single chill
dren who can just remember the goot
times the half-generation before then
used to have by reason of their mum
bers. This loneliness had given he
in certain ways a precocious develop
ment while it left her subdued and sh.
even when among her familiars. Bu
she was shy without fear and her shy
ness itself had a fowerlike sweetnes
that made bold appeal.
Isn't it wonderful, Alan?" she said
Yesterday it was cold and it raine
and the Hill was black, black, like tn
Firs. Today all the trees are fuzz
with green and it's warm. Yesterda
was so lonely and today you are here.
Alan looked down at the child wit
glowing eyes.
"And, do you know, this summe
Gerry Lansing and Mrs. Gerry Lal
sing are coming. I've never seen ht
since that day they were married. D
! you think it's all right for me to ca
her Mrs. Gerry like everybody does
Alan considered the point gravel
! "Yes, think that's the best thing yo
| could call her."
| perhaps when I'm really grown I
I | can call her Alix. think Alix
such a pretty name, don't you"
| Glen flashed a look at Alan and
| nodded; then, with an impulsive NOV
| ment she drew close to him in Il
j half-wheedIing way Of woman abo1
to ask a favor. "Alan, they let n
ride old Dubbs when he isn't plowin
The old donkey-she's so fat now 81
u can hardly carry the babies. Some de
q when you're not in a great hurry W
y you let me ride with you?"
l. Alan turned away briskly and staE
ed down the ladder. Some day, pc
haps, Clem," he muttered. "Not th
% summer. Come on" When they hi
II 4, left the church he drew out his wat
- - and started. run along and pla
y Glenn" He left her and hurried to t
. barn.
Joe was waiting. Have we time
g the long road, Joew asked Alan, as
NJ climbed into the cart.
,r "Oh, yes, sir; especially If you dri1
40 Mr.. Alan"
a 81 don't want to drive. Let him
r and jump in."
l. The coachman gave the pony
,e head, climbed in and took the reiI
s. The cart swung out and down the lal
e "Alan! Alan"
:" Alan recognized Clem's voice a
k. turned. She was racing across a C,
ut ner Of the pasture. Her short ski
&c 1ounced madly above her ungair
SIsEsIsIs sIsIasTsIaEaEsESlaE