The Washington times., 1921-01-15


control. ] want you to go right up
TO the city. Ned. and book us
through to the old place. A private
car, of course. And have Mollie
md a nurse. We won't take this
one along. She's too much OF a
tie with-the present"
Lane, you aren't going back to
the old ranch" exclaimed Uncle
Ned, In a tone that was both warn
ing and command. His keen eyes
searched Lanes face, and these
dropped away as II sparing IL.
BACK TO THE OLD RANCH.
That's where my poor little girl
wants TO CO." replied Lane. And
felt there was a volume OF hidden
meaning in the three words which
he kept designating Val.
rs that wise?" warned Uncle
Ned.
"She wants to 60" Lane replied
simply.
"But she mustn't go there, OF all
places. The memories. People"
Uncle Ned blurted out his words.
popping them at Lane as II they
were blank cartridges. A warning.
but not menace.
ITS what she wants. My poor
little girl. All she could say over
and over again was If I'd only take
her homo she's get well and make
il all I'D to me. She wants to go.
To fight il out there with the peo-
pie who Judged her wrongly, instead
Of staying here and
Lane didn't finish. I wondered IL
there had been a parallel in his
mind. But now Uncle Ned engaged
my attention.
You're going to take her back to
the RANCH" he said in a tone which
suggested that he was quietly
weighing all the values and decid-
ing something then and there for
all time. you're going to take her
back home. Well, it's home to us,
too. And home would always some
how seem where you two were
camping. That goes for my bride
and me. So we'll go with you
No protests. No explanations.
Lane got to his feet with som" of
the gray gone out of his face. and
then before my blurred eyes the
two mea stood eye to eye in a. long
sturdy hand-clasp. Trait was all
After a minute, Uncle Ned turned
to me.
"Good-by, little girl" he said. 81
think you're all right. / think some
day I'll know the chat we just in
dulged in went a long ways to
prove 1t. Shake that young fellow
OF yours by the hand fo- me and
tell hin, that Mollie and her beau
will be looking for visit from you
inside of the year. We got at
tached to you. Childless old folks
like US love feeling related to
young-uns like you"
held his strong, gnarled old
hand in mine. and l wondered il I
was going to burst out crying Ike
the idiot i didn't see much advant-
age in proving myself to be.
You're the most wonderful loyal
friend in all the world" l STAN
mered.
IT'S nice to hear you say that,
little Anne" replied Uncle Ned,
tightening his firm clasp on my
hand. "And don't forget my bride
amt a whit less fond of you than
am
II wish could see her again. I'd
come to the city to see her off, no
matter how early you started" l
begun.
Vs.uely then / heard Lane stir,
clear his throat, and l hastily cor
TeCteu myself.
LANE WANTS A TALK.
I'D come to say goodby to Aunt
Mollie, if it weren't for the fact
that all the excitement of parting
wouldn't DO for Val at all. And,
tween Aunt Mollic and me. That ]
know. Friendships like ours don't
just stop. They go on. I'll tele-
phone her this evening and tell her
| love her and that If she wants
me to take those little Willoughby
twins under my wing I'll flap it
right up for them"
|. Mercy. i clean forgot the little
song sparrows," said Uncle Ned.
Then he took my face between his
two worn hands and kissed my
forehead. 1t felt like benediction.
The cars going to the station
for Jim and Pat in a few minutes.
You'll wait while | order il to come
around for your" ] asked choking
ly. Then ] went to the garage to
give the order so Uncle Ned and
Lane could have the minutes alone.
l felt they needed. And five min
utes later Lane and | were seeing
Uncle Ned off.
Then Lane turned to me.
where can we have talk with
out being interrupted" he asked.
Anywhere" l replied uneasily.
There's no one to interrupt"
Not even Mrs. Dalton?' insisted
Lane. when / came up to Walls
room she said she'd so and do her
mending."
shes gone out now. She always
walks to the station to meet her
husband" l explained. Wen have
until the car comes back with
them"
I'VE mustn't waste time. then"
Lane spoke with a gravity so in
tense 1t frightened me.
Ito he COntinued.)
Copyright. 1921, by King Features Syndi-
cate, Inc.