Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-07-07

1 told him that's what he ought to go
for-to get strong-and he said fun
ny thing. There's a kind Of strength
we must generate or borrow. didn't
borrow, so now I'm generating. 1t
takes time And then he dropped off
to sleep. Before, he used to run you
through with his tongue when he
wanted to stop conversation. Now he
just goes to sleep. It's just as effec-
tive and almost as original"
One afternoon the judge came in
with smile on his face. ALAN is bet
ter" he announced.
Isn't he better every day?" asked
Alix.
Not like this" said the judge. you
know Fleureur? OF course you don't.
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 Ell? Alan
is getting touchy over being 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 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 ooh, 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 had come back"
Alan had written to Mrs. J. Y. that
he was planning to motor from town
to Red Hill. Glen, as Mrs. J. Y.'s
deputy, had answered his letter, prom
Using 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, tout 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"
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 cal
made him sleepy. He dozed. He awokf
to see East mountain looming in the
distance. Steadily the car drew into
its lee. Alan sighted a climbing roaC
and called directions to- the driver
From the bare top of the mountain
he made out the old church, a white
speck on a PARKWAY hill. He stood VI
and traced the course they were to fol
low. He was filled with q strange ex
element. "Never mind the bumps
open her up" he ordered, and sa
down and closed his eyes.
Long lane was as cool as memory
and as balmy with the twining odor,
of birch and sassafras and laurel a,
childhood's recollection. Alan drew ;
long, full breath and then the car raj
out on to the top of Red Hill. swerve(
to the right and turned in under tn,
, low-hanging limbs of the naples.
: 1T was early afternoon. The OLE
, homestead was very still. As the ca,
| drew up at the curb girl rose from
: deep chair on the veranda and steppet
, forward. Alan caught his breath an(
stared. He felt himself a little boy
, Nance, mere rosebud of a girl, stooC
, before him and smiled at his Devil
dered face. you're Uncle Alan. aren'
your The soft voice sustained illu
sion, but the words brought him I,
himself-made him feel suddenly olde
, by generation. Then he smiled bacl
, at her and chaffed. you have beer
; busy since I saw you last. Have I tn,
: honor OF presenting myself to Mis-
Sterling"
"The same" replied the girl, laugh
ing, land your niece"
Come. That's enough. Don't ruI
, 1t in. Besides, you're only niece b,
,, courtesy. BY the family tree weir
cousins"
"All right. I'll be a cousin to yov
If you like 1t better" remarked Nance
Junior, demurely.
Alan had sprung out. He caught he
hands and kissed her. Her fresh moutl
brushed his cheek.
, Eyes, like it better" he said. at
! some fun kissing a cousin"