Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-11-16

Alan's bell. She would not 90 to the
lake. The children were solemnly
grave and then gisgiins b. dts and
starts.
The Eltons had come back from
abroad. From Elm House Cousin
Frances Elton. commonly known as
Tom. short for tomboy, came racing
across the lawn waving towel and
bathing clothes and in a high treble
giving 4 creditable imitation Of an In
dian warwhoop. At Toms cry the
children stampeded on to the veranda
with sibilant cries Of. "Sshshr Mrs.
J. 7. looked at Nance and Nance
smiled resignedly. They put away
their work. ordered the wagonette and
the colts-colts no longer, alas, save
IN name-and departed with wagon
load OF suppressed youth. From Long
lane hoated back peals of young laugh
ter, breaking bounds as the overhang-
ing trees hid the hill from view.
Glenn sat on the vast window seat
and toyed with a book. ]. Y. came
and dropped down beside her. "Well.
Glenn. he's come back"
Glenn nodded. "Are You sure he
doesn't want anything, Uncle Johni
He hasn't had thing to eat since
seven O'Clock this morning"
Alan's bell tinkled. Glen started to
her feet and then sat down again
you'd better CO." But when ]. Y.
strobe or she followed.
why is the house 80 quiet7 II II
on account Of the captain?" asked
Alan.
BLESS you. no. The captain sleeps
for week at a time. The children
have gone over to the lake."
Il just wanted to tell you that Mike
their noises-they're new. Th1<e'a
nothing really the matter with me tx.
cept that I've got to take things in
turn, and lying still and sweating
comes first After that, perhaps tomor.
row, I'm going to eat. The penulti.
mate act on my list is a cigarette and
the ultimate is to get up in the old bel.
fry and YELL" He turned over and
sank his head into the pillows.
"All right, my boy" said ]. T., smil.
ing. There's only Glen and myself
here. and we'll go and try to make
noises like the children" He came out
Of the door in time to catch sight OF
Clem's skirt as it whisked around the
corner Of the hall. He followed and
found her already seated at the piano
Her fingers wandered over the keys
and then her soft. full voice broke out
in one old song after another. She was
happy because she felt that singing
she was with Alan.
Alan stirred in his bed and listened.
He determined that tomorrow he must
be well. Robbed of this afternoon, he
was being robbed of half of life. He
cursed the fever and then, as he felt
how near Clem's voice brought her to
him, he blessed 1t.
At night when all the rest of the
household had gone to bed, ]. Y. softly
opened Alan's door and looked in.
Alan was awake and nodded. ]. Y.
came In and pottered about the room
He rolled bit Of paper into an ampler
shade and further yelled the night
lamp. The lines in ]. US rugged face
were softened to lines Of sweetness.
He asked If there were nothing he
could do and then turned to leave the
room. With his hand on the door, he
paused and smiled down on Alan. my
boy, you have been far. far away"
Far away" replied Alan drowsily,
"but have come back"
The bracing air of Red Hill and 0
long nights sleep enabled Alan to keep
his word with himself. He was up and
out on the day following his arrival,
but he still felt delightfully."- lazy and
pitifully weak. Glen took charge OF
him. First she tried to settle him in
hammock with many pillows, but
Alan shrank from the hammock. They
spread rugs instead in a nook under
the trees. and Alan stretched himself
out amid riot Of many-colored cush.
Ions, while Glenn sat close by in a low
rocking chair and talked and read and
talked.
Talking or reading, Glenn was q
source Of unvarying delight to Alan
Was It possible that one could live
twenty years in an old world. rub
elbows with life for twenty years. and
remain SO fresh, 80 untainted? His
own life rose up before him and
Knocked at him. Was 1t possible that
one could live thirty years in this
same world and be 80 old? He
shrugged shoulder petulantly. He
would not think-he refused to think
while he was SO weak.
When Glen talked, 1t was like a
child dreaming aloud; when she was
silent one felt the presence of woman
hood. wise with the unconscious accu-
mutations Of generations and una.
dashed. When Glen talked Alan was
at ease, but when she was silent he
was moved-troubled. A SCARED man
may play with child and no harm
to either. He can detach himself from
his past us from the child and at
safe moral distance turn to watch its