The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-20
CHAPTER Y.
JOY at last

-Four months later, we've
o'clock at night Wrapped up In
my aldcrdown bathrObe. sitting al
my desk.
Il Il midnight. cannot sleep.
have seen DR.. Maynard
IL occurred at four o'1lock this
afternoon. | was on my way home
from a shopping tour. and with my
hands fun of packages. turned up
Charles Street as unconcerncd as
you please.
at the corner I bowed TO our
minister's wife. and tho remains OF
the smile were s,lll on my face.
suppose. when ! saw DIR. May
nard. didn't know that he was
on this side OF the ocean. and when
I observed him coming down the
steps OF the postofficc vigorous
and strong and bouyant--l stood
still IN my tracks. and the remains
OF the smile turned into something
startled and afraid.
Dr. Maynard approached me all
aglow. stretched out his hand and
took mlno In warm. firm grasp.
Hello. Bohble." he said. in his
hearty old voice. and I looked back
at him. perfectly white-I could
feel that was-and speechless.
Don't be n goose. RS Just DIR.
Maynard I tried 10 reason with
myself
Am speaking TO Miss Lucy
Vars" | heard asked OF me. Miss
Lucy Chenery Vars. OF go Main
Street. Milton. Mass. -
nodded. and somewhere down
there In the chaos In my cheat. !
found my poor little voice. rs
It your asked shakily.
well. I'm not quite sure. Moth
ing looks very natural around here.
I'm beginning to think I'm some
body else"
We'll. am surprised" ! ex-
pioded. Il certainly am surprised,
Why. | never was so surprised"
stopped n minute. DR.. Maynard
was smiling right down into my
eyes. II never was so surprised
in all my llfe!" | repeated. as II |
hadn't another idea In my mind.
He leaned down Just here and
picked up a half-dozen bundles.
more or less. that had dropped
when we shook hands.
Il better help you carry some
of these home. hadn't II" he sug-
gested.
"Oh. yes. do" I replied eagerly.
and somehow We managed TO walk
back TO the house together.
don't know thru what streets
we went. past what houses. can
scarcely recall of what we talked.
Hes come home, He's come
home! He's come homel" kept
ringing In my ears over and over
again. like jubilant 'chimes. Or.
Maynard has come home!"
When he first came in view Of
240 Main Street and stood stock
still in his tracks. and gasped.
wanted to throw my arms around
him for JOY.
IL was in the sunken garden that
the most important part OF our con
versation took place. You remem-
btAe hhl fVht AiAdI III my
to DIR. Maynard had always been
enthusiastic over the improve.
ments Edith has made on old $40.
so now II was with apparent pride
that | led my old friend down the
granolithic steps into the one-tlme
apple orchard.
/ was all enthusiasm. Edith
wouldn't have recognized me. Ruth
would have thought had lost my
reason. Even DR.. Maynard looked
at me curlously.
ut certainly IL all very fine, I've
no doubt he remarked.
yes, isn't it?" | exclaimed.
But must confess he went on.
II never objected to the old apple
orchard. Just about where the
pool is now. there used to grow
the best old Baldwins ever
tasted"
"Oh, my" | scolded. you ought
to see the bouncing Oregon apples
Edith buys by the crate"
DIR. Maynard shook his head and
smiled. Then he came over and