The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-04-01

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 strange ex-
element. 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
childhoods recollection. Alan drew a
long, full breath and then the car ran
out on to the top Of Red Hill. swerved
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 girl rose from a
deep chair ON the veranda and stepped
forward. Alan caught his breath and
stared. He felt himself little boy.
Nance, 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
himself-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 I the
honor of presenting myself to Miss
sterling?"
"The same" replied the girl, laugh.
ing, "and 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
II 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.
eyes, like it better" he said. ITS
some fun kissing cousin"
Nance, Junior, snatched away her
hands and dashed into the house.
Mother, Glenn. he's here. Unc-Cous-
In Alan's come"
| From upstairs came sullen but
feeble roar, as though bull had bel
lowed and only echo had come forth.
From hammock under the trees ]. Y.
tumbed his stiffening limbs and with
q quick shake of his broad shoulders
strobe across the lawn. There was a
patter Of women's feet. Glen burst
out of the house, caught both of Alans
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. ]. 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.
"Ssh!' said Alan, holding up his
hand. whats that noise?'
Glen laughed. Its the captain"
she said. Listen"
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 like us to hear It,"
Alan hurried into the house and up
to the captains room. The grown-ups
followed but stopped below and wait
the chauffeur to the barn.
Excuse me, MISS" said that wor-
thy, "but Mr.. Wayne hasn't had bite
to eat since seven this morning. You
might not think to ask him, you see.
SO l thought I'd tell you"
II sce," replied the young lady, and
added with ready wit and a smile.
"just find the kitchen and tell the
cook"
| Alan found the captain proppcd on
many pillows. His bullying eyes had
the same old glare. his close-croppcd
hair still made an effort, though feeble.
to insurgency, but his corpulence was
gone. He had collapsed ut last and
was bedriddcn after a severe stroke.
"Huh!" was his greeting.
Alan sat down beside the bed. "How
do you do. sirY'
"Do? do all right. It's the liquor
in this country that's gone Off. sir.
Corked whisky. That's all that's left.
I'll show you, Alan" And he roared,
after a preliminary puff, 1.-TWO whis-
kies."
Mrs. Wayne appeared. "Now, cap
tain" she said softly. "What's this?
Two at a time? You're getting bet
ter"
The captain subsidized. zone for
Alan" he grunted.
The drinks came. Alan welcomed
his. He was tired and faint after the
long journey. The captain gazed on
his own glass defiantly but ordered the
maid to set 1t on the table ut his side.
Alan waited long for him to take it
up, and then he saw that the captain
had fallen asleep. Alan slipped his
drink. The captain was right, it was
favOrless. But Alan remembered that
he had thrown away his last cigarette
l On, <1,oo IT.