The Wrangell sentinel., 1918-05-02
BACK HOME
BY AGNES c. eRoGAN.

harmony with his surroundings; weary
and worn in mind and body. and
obSessed by the useleSsness of his
struggle for fame and fortune. Not
that he had been unsuccessful-John
Stewards name was well known in the
world of business, and those Injuries
which he had long ago considered so
desirable, were now his for the buy
fng-but where was the anticipated
joya
Homecoming TO the costly apartment
after each of his tireSome trips. with
only the solemn-eyed Japanese to bow
him welcome--waS not an event to he
hooked forward to eagerly. Though
John Stewart coveted neither wife nor
family. there was no satisfactory home
atmosphere in the palatial residences
of his friends. where he was II guest.
Home? Just what constituted the
word? Stewards mind went back to
the spicy odor of ginger cookies, and Il
Sunlit Kitchen. Then. as If In answer
10 his thought Il lad passed, whistling,
through the ear. his arms filled with
the scarlet berries of the mountain ash.
There had been such Il tree before
the homestead doorway. he remem-
bered, and even when snow came the
berries would linger like bright drops
of cheer. Strange. how he had forgot
ten the old place. strange how many
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. had been put aside
with the old excuse of business: md
he had been busy. winning that which
now seemed so profitless.
The old house was still tenantless,
people objected TO the nearby GENE
terry the agent suid and in conse-
quence it was going to ruin. The house
really had not seemed worth troubling
about. but now. with aH impulse borne
of the scarlet berries. with an old
hOmeSick longing for-he Knew not
what-John Stewart decided to change
ears for Oakville. and walk past the
place. He found the village much us
it had been. when he. a youth so con-
temptuuuSly left it. On through the
twilight he now went thoughtfully-
past the old graveyard with its trim
cut trees. and there, just before him
beamed Il light in the cid house win
dow. SO there were tenants after all !.
He wondered in an excitement Song un-
Known. if he might perhaps go inside
sit before the big fireplace and
remember.
SteaIthily he erept to the wide trent
window. and warm glow all ut once
seemed to food his heart. He had not
realized before that the prospect of
empty desolation had kept him away
Here. now. in the light of the old fire
and Il shaded lamp, sat a happy family,
a neat little mother buSily knitting. the
familiar picture brought Il quick par.g-
two young lads bending companionably
over their hooks-so he and Charlie
had SAT-, long ago. Charlie. now lost in
the great world of commerce. And
there at the square piano across the
corner sat girl.
John Stewart caught his breath in
new emotion at sight af her Long
ago he. too had known a Youthful
dream of a girl in rOse-cOIore,f gown,
who should play at evening upon that
sam, old piano-n girl with eyes as
clear md unafr;efd. Impufsively he
climbed - steps and pulled the old
white doorbell. 1t was the girl who
responded TO his ring.
NO" she answered the question,
'the house is not rented" Then frank
fy she continued. 1.-THE agent had Of
fcred them the use of the place, upon
their agreement of keeping it in repair.
They had appreciated the opportunity.
Her brothers had worked the farm
while she Was preparing herself to
teach, but If he. the owner disGp-
proved" the sweet voice faltered.
'..why. they would look for other quar-
tiers of course"
And Immediately John Stewart was
standing before the old fireplace, tell
ing them all. in his inexplainable new
role of humbIeness. how very glad he
was to have found them there. the well
coming light of the window. the open
piano with its waiting music. "Why,
can almost fancy" he added boyfshly,
"that ginger cookies are baking out
there in the oven"
The girl In the rOse-coTored gown
smiled at her mother. "Well, you come
and see" she said.
The Old-time vision grew rs he fol-
lowed her through the well-known
door-grew and sent some new emo
ton tugging at his heart as she fell
upon her knees before tie oven Have
one" she asked merrily, holding out
a pan Of fragrant cookies. and then
the little mother appeared.
.'No, DEAR. she gently reprimanded,
perhaps Mr.. Stewart will honor us
with his company Mt tea; it might be
like coming home.'
So the girl stood upon the little
porch much later, waiting with her Ian
tern to light him down the road.
II may come again?" he asked her.
For a moment her hand thrilled in
his clasp. for moment his eyes grew
finder before her own. Yes, il it