Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1921-05-20
AlTHEA
BY DOROTHY 8. GRAVES.
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60 1924. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicete.)
A large gray car purred along the
uneven country road. The driver, a
man of 60, his hair iron-gray, his eyes
clear, guided 1t skilfully. He was
content with his lot, and well might he
be. Fortune had dealt kindly with
him..
When a boy lie had left this very
county with no more than silver
dollar In his pocket and his wardrobe
on his back. .
Now as the car swept through the
dusk and the familiar old hills recalled
to him his past life 1t was with no lit
tie satisfaction that he knew his
wealth had been accrued with no hard
ship totanother. =. Sorfar as heknew.
and he made it I point to know he
lad harmed no one and all who Knew
him respected him. .55rts $50 +"
That there was something lacking
the old man was aware.
The man stopped the car and
jumped out with the agility Of youth.
His eyes sought a familiar landmark.
1t was there. A narrow winding foot
path bordered by little garden of
sweet alyssum, baby's breath, and NH
g0nette. -
Having curved around a ciump of
hollyhocks, the path abruptly ended
before a toy-like little white house. A
single candle glowed warm In q win
dow. The man knocked softly at the
green paneled door. His heart bound
ed at the response he remembered so
we'll, light springing step-the same.
The door opened and the gentleman
saw before him In the candle-light, a
dainty little woman in gray. her white
hair curling softly above serene blue
eyes. A single rose nestled in her
bodice, its freshness no fairer than it's
wearer's cheeks. Behind her in the
tiny room the candle-light glowed on
polished surfaces of tables and chairs,
and the old man longed to enter. BY
the GOODNESS with which the little lady
regarded him, he felt he was not rec
Ognized so he offered:
MADAM, my machine is at the road
side. 1t will not run. May l accept
your hospitality"
"Come in" He noticed the voice,
naturally mellow, was hard. The door
closed behind them and the woman
turned to him fiercely, Hugh Basse,
do YOU dare come here?'
The old man was startled and be-
cause he did not understand he asked
with sincere wonder. Miss Serena, l
do not know why l should not come
back. l passed through the village, the
old hills recalled our-my YOUTH, and
that same old clump of immortelles by
the gate decided me. / could not pass
them by.
"Hugh Basse, you'll say that to me,
Altheas sister?"
''Althea?" the old man echoed, 'but
why Althea? She was but baby. 1t
was always you, Miss Serena, even il
] did not come back before"
Say no more Of that, sir, what of
A]thea's chlld?"
"Ah, she married?'
"You ask that? Men are cruel.'
The old man pondered. Truly, he
did not know what the little woman
meant nor why her fury.
Again the green paneled door opened
brishly. A pretty girl of 10 entered
with soft rustic of summer skirts.
>"Why auntie. did not know of
company" She advanced to the old
man and held to him a cordial hand
ibid see your car in the lane?"
The old man assented and smiled
kindly into the bright black eyes. Miss
Serena slluddered and commanded
sternly. "Helen. go to your room.
will call you when-when-"
''Hugh Basse, is that your child?'
The old man drew back in astonish
ment. The little room seemed tt
Will dlDOul i1IlnCll . Cllllu AS
cllild?' echoed in his ears.
notwithstanding. Miss Serena
seated herself and pointed to a chat,
for him-'didn't you send for Althea
to come to you in the city,"
"Never!" the old man answered
truthfully.
Miss Serena covered her faro with
her hands.
':She said you did-Althea said you
did. She said Helen was Your child.
She searched his face for the truth
"When Althea died she said YOU
were Helen's father. The neighbors
all know. Helen knows and believes
it is you. -,.-
Again the silence was heavy. Thu
little gilt clock licked faster and faster
until the old man could not hear thu
sound of it. He arose unsteadily an(
stumbled to the door, an older man
His fingers fumbIed for the old-fash
Toned brass latch. He found it, AM
slowly drew open the door. A gus
of wind swept across his hot brow
cooling its feverishness. Beyond II
the moonlight the old familiar hill.
rested sublime in the night The mar
turned slowly back into the room. HI
forgot the open door and kneit bef0rl
the little woman, his large hands crop
ing for hers.