Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-04-14

| were dull once more. he picked up
the bills and slowly counted them. 4
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 be 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.
j. r. stood in the garden directing the
relaying Of flower beds. Alan made
circuit. As he stepped into the road
kswift steps came toward him. He
wheeled and faced Glen coming at
full run. He turned his back on her
ahd started away. The swift steps
stopped 20 suddenly that he looked
around. Glenn was standing stock still.
one awkward, lanky leg half crooked
as though 1t were still running Her
skirts We're absurdly short Her little
fists, brown and scratched, pressed her
sides. Her dark hair hung Ia a tan
gled mat over 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 a 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 conner
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 aud
drew Glenn after him. They climbed
to the belfry. From the beIfry one
saw the whole world with Red Hill as
its center. Alan was disappointed.
The hip was still half naked-almost
bleak. I1aple house and Elm house
shone brazenly white through budding
trees. They looked as IL they had
crawled closer TO the road during the
winter. The Firs, with it's black Dor
der or 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 Nance's children were
too young. There were Elton children
OF about her age. but for years they
had been abroad. Consequently Glenn
had grown to fifteen in a sort OF lone
Illness not uncommon with single chill
dren who can just remember the good
times the half-generation before them
used TO have by reason OF their num-
bers This loneliness had given her
in certain ways precocious 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 q bold appeal
Isn't It wonderful. Alang' she said.
Yesterday It was cold and IL 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 Ian
sing are coming. I've never seen her
since that day they were married. Do
you think It's all right Tor me to call
her Mrs, Gerry like everybody does r.
Alan considered the point gravely.
eyes, think that's the best thing you
could call her.
Perhaps when Pm really grown up
4 can cali her Aiix. | think Alix il
such pretty name, don't your
Glenn dashed a look at Alan and he
nodded; then, with an impulsiye move
ment she drew close to him Ia the
notwithstanding way OF woman about
70 ask 4 favor. Alan they let mo
ride old Dubbs when be isn't plowing.
The old donkey-she's 90 fat now she
can hardly carry the babies. Some day
when you're not in great hurry will
you let me ride with your
Alan turned away briskly and start
ed down the ladder. 'Eome day, per
haps,. Glenn he muttared. "Not this
summer. Come on" When they had
left the church he drew out his watch
and started. '.Run along and play,
Glenn" He left her and hurried to the
barn.
Joe was waiting. "Have We time for
the long road, Joe3" asked Alan. &c be
climbed into the cart.
''Oh, yes. sir; especially u Jon drive
Mr.. Alan"
''f don't want TO drive. Let him 90
and jump in."
The coachman gave the pony MS
head. climbed In and took the reIns,
The cart swung out and down the lane
"Alanl AlanF'
Alan recognized Ciem's voice and
turned She was racing across : cor.
II ner OF the pasture. Her short skIrts
J nounced madly above her ungainly