The Glenwood post., 1916-07-08

bill. "It's the simplest way-bill in the
world" she wrote, ''out 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 mossy 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 climbing road
and called directions to the driver.
From the bare top Of the mountain
he made out the old church, white
speck on far-away hill. He stood up
and traced the course they were to fol-
low. He was filed with a strange ex-
element. Never mind the bumps
oEen her up" be ordered, and sat
down and closed his eyes.
Long lane was rs cool as memory
and as balmy with the twining odors
of birch and sassafras and laurel as
childhood's recollection. Alan drew a
long, full breath and then the car ran
out on to the top of Red Hill, swerved
to ths right and turned in under the
low.hangfng 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
deep chair on the veranda and stepped
forward Alan caught his breath and
stared. He felt himself little boy.
Nance, a mere rosebud of a girl, stood
before him and smiled at his bewil-
dered face. You're Uncle Alan, aren't
your The soft voice sustained flu
sion, but the words brought him to
himself-made him feel suddenly older
by generation. Then he smiled back
at her and chaffed, you have been
busy since saw you last. Have the
honor of presenting myself to Miss
Sterling?"
1.-THE same" replied the girl, laugh.
ing, land your niece"
"Come. That's enough. Don't ruk
| L., pncf1nc unutHA opIv rto ~
courtesy. BY. the family tree we're
cousins"
"All right. I'll be cousin to you
IL you like it better" remarked Nance
tunior demurely. ..
Alan had sprung out. He caught he
hands and kissed her. Her fresh moutl
brushed his cheek.
eyes, I Ike 1t better" he said. "It'
some fun kissing cousin"
Nance, Junior, snatched away he
hands and dashed into the house
Mother, Glen, he's here. Unc-Cous
In Alan's come"
From upstairs came a sullen bu
feeble roar, as though a bull had bel
lowed and only echo had come forth
From hammock under the trees ].
tumbled his stiffening limbs and wit
quick shake of his broad shoulder
strobe across the lawn. There was
patter Of wOmen's feet. Glen burs
out Of the house, caught both Of Alan
hands and shook them. Her lips opene
but she said nothing. Her eyes an
her heart were full of welcome. Ala
felt them speaking for her. Then cam
Mrs. ]. Y. and ]. Y. and Nance. tn
mother of four. There arose n babe
Of hearty greetings, but through ther
all could be heard the rumble of th
echolike believing.
"ssh" said Alan, holding up hi
hand. whats that noise?" ld
Clem laughed. "It's the captain,
she said. LISTEN"
In the silence the rumbling becam
voclferation. Bring him UP her
Bring him up here, dammit"
you'd better go quickly" remarke
Nance. junior. Hes begun to swea
and mother doesn't like us to hear It
Alan hurried into the house and u
to the captains room. The grown-ur
followed but stopped below and wal
cd. Nance, junior, remained to dire
ihe chauffeur to the barn.
Excuse me, MISS" said that wo
:. Thy, but Mr.. Wayne hasn't had hi1
10 eat since seven this morning. Yo
might not think to ask him, you se