Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-06-29

| train. As he came out he saw Nance,
| the children and the captain coming
slowly up Long lane from the farm.
| He lodged back into the barn through
| the orchard and across the lawn Mrs
! ]. 7. stood in the garden directing the
| relaying Of flower beds. Alan made a
| circuit. AS he stepped into the road
| swift steps came toward him. He
! wheeled and faced Glenn coming at
| full run. He turned his back on her
and started away. The swift steps
stopped so suddenly. that he looked
around. Glenn was standing stock still,
| 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
gled mat over a thin, pointed face. Her
eyes were large and shadoWy. Two
tears had started from them and were
crawling down soiled cheeks. She was
quivering 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, Glenn" he said, don't cry.
! didn't mean to hurt YOU
For one moment she chung 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 Gomez
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 a shut
| ter, sprang in through the window and
drew Glen after him. They climbed
to the belfry. From the belfry one
saw the whole world with Red Hill as
it's 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
craWIed 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 too
old for her and Nances 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 sort of lone
illness not uncommon with single chill
dren who can just remember the good
ho1
used to have by reason of their num-
bers. This loneliness had given her
in certain ways a pracOcious develop
ment while it left her subdued and shy
even when among her familiars. But
she was shy without fear and her shy
ness itself had a fowerlike sweetness
that made bold appeal.
isn't it wonderful Alan?" she said.
yesterday it was cold and it rained
and the Hill was black, black, like the
Firs. Today all the trees are fuzzy
with green and it's warm. Yesterday
was so lonely and today you are here"
Alan looked down at the child with
glowing eyes.
"And, do you know, this summer
Gerry Lansing and Mrs Gerry Lam
sing are coming. I've never seen her
since that day they were married. Do
you think it's all right for me to call
her Mrs. Gerry like everybody does?"
Alan considered the point graveIy.
Eyes, I think that's the best thing you
could call her"
perhaps when I'm really grown up
I can call her AliX. | think AliX is
such pretty name, don't yOu?'
Glen flashed look at Alan and he
nodded; then, with an impulsive move
ment she drew close to him in the
half-Wheedling way of woman about
to ask a favor. "Alan. they let me
ride ole Dubbs when he isn't blowing.
The old dOnkey-she's so fat now she
can hardly carry the babies. Some day
when you're not in a great hurry will
you let me ride with your?
Alan turned away briskly and start
ed down the ladder. Some day, psr-
haps, Glenn" he muttered mot this
summer. Come on" When they had
left the church he drew out his watch
anu SldIIeu. nun along anu play,
Glenn" He left her and hurried to the
barn.
Joe was waiting. "Have we time for
the long road Joe?" asked Alan, as he
climbed into the cart
"Oh, yes, sir; especially if you drive
Mr.. Alan"
Il don't want to drive. Let him go
and jump in"
The coachman gave the pony his
heads climbed in and took the reins
The cart swung out and down the lane.
ALAN! Alanr
Alan recognized Clem's voice and
turned. She was racing across a cor
ner of the pasture. Her short skirts
tiounced madly above her ungainly
legs. She tried to take the low stone
wall in her stride. Her foot caught
in vine and she pitched headlong
~ \.