Middletown transcript., 1916-06-03

huOW ISuTeuFB VI COURSE yOu uOu l.
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. eh2' Alan
is getting touchy over being a weak
ling. That's a 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 a lot? Somehow it seems to me
it doesn't make any difference how
much a man wakes his mustache as
long as he doesn't wax his finger
nails.'"
Alix' face lit up. "Oh. that is Alan"
The judges eyes twinkled. yes" he
said, land then Alan went off to sleep
like a shot and Fleureur 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 bad come back"
Alan had written to Mrs. ]. Y. that
he was planning to motor from town
to Red Hill. Glen, as Mrs. ]. Y.'s
deputy. had answered his letter, prom
lsing him a warm and long welcome at
Maple House. She gave him a 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 will lead
you home"
1.-THE old church will lead you home"
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, fished 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
speck on far-away hill. He stood up
and traced the course they were to fol-
low. He was filled with a strange ex-
citement. "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 n
long, full breath and then the car ran
out on to the top of Red Hill. sweryed
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 a girl rose from a
deep chair on the veranda and stepped
forward. Alan caught his breath and
stared. He felt himself a little boy.
Nance, n mere rosebud Of a girl stood
before him and smiled at his bewil-
dered face. you're Uncle Alan. aren't
you" The soft voice sustained illu-
sion. but the words brought him to
hlmself-made him feel suddenly older
by a generation. Then he smiled back
at her and chaffed. You have been
busy since saw you last. Have the
honor Of presenting myself to Miss
Sterling?"
1.-THE same" replied the girl, laugh
ing, land your niece"
Come. That's enough. Don't rub
1t in. Besides, you're only niece by
courtesy. By the family tree we're
cousins"
"All right. I'll be a cousin to YOU
If you like it better" remarked Nance.
junior. demurely.
Alan had sprung out. He caught her
hands and kissed her. Her fresh mouth
brushed his cheek
"Yes. like it better" he said. "Its
some fun kissing cousin"
Nance. junior, snatched away her
hands and dashed into the house
Mother, Clem. he's here Unc-Cous-
in Alan's come"
From upstairs came a sullen but
feeble roar. as though a bull had bel
lowed and only echo had come forth
From hammock under the trees ]. Y.
tumbled his stiffening limbs and with
quick shake of his broad shoulders
strode across the lawn. There was a
patter of women's feet. Glen burst
out Of the house. caught both of Alan's
hands and shook them. Her lips opened
but she said nothing. Her eyes and
her heart were full of welcome. Alan
felt them speaking for her. Then came
Mrs. J. Y. and ]. Y. and Nance. the
mother of four. There arose a babel
OF hearty greetings. but through them
all could be heard the rumble of the
echolike believing.
"Sshr' said Alan, holding up his
hand. "What's that noise?"
Glen laughed. Its the captain" Z"
Sba said "IiSten"
In the silence the rumbling became
vociferation. 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 Nike US to hear it."