The Republican journal., 1922-02-16
The Road
Toward Home
By CLARISSA MACKIE

ne great GlINNlII luiiNi Nbullltl
in the railroad station was u busy
spot at all times, but there were
breathing spells ls'-after the heavy
express trains from the East and
West had pulled out and the lunch
counter settled down to its routine
of serving the scattered travellers,
and even townspeople, who liked the
well-cooked food and the swift sery-
ice.
one October day after Priscilla Fair
had been there two months, and was
counted the most rapid of all the deft
Mattresses, there came sudden, I'M
expected rush of customers that filled
the stools to the last one. please take
that one for me, Pris,' begged fat An
ME Hardy, as she numbered past with
plate of clam chowder i'll one hand
and d brimming cup Of coffee III the
other She nodded toward the last
stool at the circular counter, the one
next to the croSs-counter Priscilla nod
ded and slipped around the shining
urns and faced the waiting customer.
She saw Il pale-faced man with
logged eyes, who stared first at her.
then down at the menu i'll his hand.
When he lifted his glance to her again
his eyes were not logged nor kind nor
anything. just cold and Indifferent
as becomes "a stranger.
Priscilla was chilled. Most men
and many women looked at her delicate
prettiness with kind eyes. She had
warm, friendly smile though acquaint-
ance never developed beyond passing
greetings of the day. That girl is a
recluse." Annie Hardy had burst out
one day-but while we are describing
Priscilla, the strange young man IS
waiting hungrily for his order TO be
taken.
Well" prompted Priscilla at last.
"Oh," he started, looked at her and
rubbed his eyes. Bacon and eggs and
coffee" he said -urtly. When she was
gone, he read a railroad timetable.
lie was still reading it when she re-
turned with the food which she placed
before him.
"You are reading it upside down."
she said softly.
Reading WhatW
The time table"
oh" gIanclng at it and thrust
ing it into his pocket, thank you"
You're welcome-gong away again
soon?" she asked wistfully.
Tonight briefly. sugar, please
Priscilla pushed the sugar bowl to-
ward him and tore check out of the
bunch at her waist. Anything else"
what have you got-that's good?"
Apple pie"
"Sure?"
Il made it,"
"All right-Tll take chance"
grudgingly.
Priscilla went away. The counters
we..e growing empty. She looked pale
and tired. Annie caught her arm.
You're all in, honey" said the kindly
soul "Pll take care of your order
there and keep your tip"
"No-no-" cried Priscilla fiercely.
"I'll see to him.
Annie laughed shrewdly. run
along. Prs first time I've ever seen
you notice a man-he's just plain
farmer, amt hep
II was a pale smile that Priscilla
threw over her shoulder as she bore
large piece of fresh apple pie to
the stern young man at the counter
She was glad that Murphy, the pro-
prietOr, had agreed to try one of her
apple pies and since then she had
earned extra money by making pies
for the counter Murphy's Lunch was
famous for its homemade apple pies.
After he had eaten the pie, Pris-
ella punched the check and laid it
beside his plate then she began to
remove the soile1 dishes.
wait" he said, abruptly.
Priscilla waited, her eyes dark, ex-
pectant.
Have you been here long?" he
wanted to know.
1.-TWO months"
"Where did you learn to make apple
pes?"
MY aunt showed me how"
"Oh Do you want to know what
I'm doing here|
She nodded.
Looking. for my wife. She went
away from me because | criticised
her cooking. Spunky little thing. And
she went away just for that!" He
looked hard at her
you must have said mean things
to her" said Priscilla, the pink creep
ing into her cheeks.
Maybe l did, and maybe l was
sorry about it, And after I'd put
in a couple of loads of hay, perhaps
| went to the house to tell her how
mean | was and try to make up
and found she had gone. only mar
ried three months
"Ilow are you going to find herr"
asked Priscilla, her white face eager.
"You don't even know where she vent
THAT day when l got home and
found she'd gone, l just closed my
house, put my crops in charge of
"A neighbor, and | set out to find my
wife I've been all over the middle
West, chasing clews that led me no.
where. But then, at last, | struck
luck | found her I'm going TO take
her home on the 6 80 train tonight -
In the silence that followed this
announcement, the big voice of Muir