Evening star., 1924-02-24


and not dead. here in his mothers
arms and not moldering in France
And people passing the Motley farm
that afternoon went quietly, as
though they were unwilling to dis
turb the happiness within.
Lee Motley brought his son to the
store that night for a little while
long enough for him to tell what
story there was to tell, familiar
enough and like so many others-a
lost Identification and d disabling
wound; long illness.
What matter. since the bay was
home again? Lew Thomas saw him
that night in the store and shook his
hand and spoke loud congratulations
drove home, his lips drawn, his face
steady and grave. Meg was asleep
when he arrived. He lay awake. won
dering how he could tell her and
what she would do.
x = X x
LIE told her in the morning while
= she cooked breakfast
Meg. you remember VIII MotleyT'
Her face, dumb and pale. turned to
his.
"He isn't dead, Meg" Lew blurted
out the words, turning his back on
her while he pretended to stoke the
stove. "He got home yesterday" ST.
lence behind him. You'll need more
wood" he said: "I'll bring some"
And escaped into the woodshed. care
full not to look at his wife at all;
careful not to return for close to
half an hour. Il thought I'd feed the
cows before ! ate breakfast" he ex
planned when he did come back. And
this was the first time his great voice
had ever doomed in Megs hearing.
She had had time to compose her
self; bore food to the table now.
ct saw Will last night" Lew told
her, his eyes on his plate, his voice
rumbling. Hes fine fellow. Looks
thin. Been sick. ] guess. Said he
was In the hospital for long time.
I tell you, they can't kill state Of
Maine man and keep him killed. No,
sir! Say, folks were glad to see him,
though"
Meg said softly: It guess they
vere."
He dared look at her, but her face
was calm.
Eyes. sir" he repeated emphatically,
and finished his breakfast in silence.
Here, Meg," he suggested when he
was through. Its Sunday. You're
due for a rest I'll clean up things"
She shook her head. smiling at him.
Never mind, Lew"
I'D like to-
"I'll do it. 1t won't take long"
well, don't you cook up any din
ner," he urged. Let's take it easy
todayr'
She nodded, without comment. He
got his hat and stood in the doorway
for a little while, furnbling with It.,
then went out without further word.
She heard him singing in his cheer
ful voice as he went toward the barn.
But Meg herself did not feel like
singing. She began to cry.
Low went through the barn and cut
across his orchard to the stone wall
above the pasture. He sat down on
the wall, and sat there for a long
time without moving, looking straight
ahead Of him. Below the ground
sloped away, broken by powders and
low Juniper, and here and there an
alder clump in a wet run. The valley
beyond was thickly grown with cedar
and syamp stuff to the edge of the
meadow. where birmingham brook
meandered. He sat very still, his face
impassive. his eyes thoughtful. At
first troubled, then at tho last more
peaceful and serene.
fSo oolr &n he in
for dinner, and after dinner was done
suggested that they drive across the
town to see Meg's mother and father.
Meg assented indolently, something
in her bearing like the apathy of
pain endured. While she washed
dishes he cleaned the car little.
About 3 o'clock they drove away.
= + 4 +
T EE MorLEY's farm adjoined
- George Freeland's and lay be-
tween It and the village. When they
came in sight Of tho farmhouse they
saw three automobiles and two bug
gies standing there, and Lew laughed
cheerfully and pointed and said:
Folks stopping In to see Will. You
like to stop int"
MoE moved with faint alarm.
"Oh, no-nor'
II guess we might as WE'LL" Lew
said, overruling her. "Your folks
prob'ly there, anyway"
When they drove into the farm
yard half 4 doSen persons sto>d in
groups, talking, here and there. Lew
shouted to one OF them:
where's WIFI
'Tustde."
"0usss we'll 60 in and say Hello
to him." Lew explained, and helped
Meg out e the car. She held her
head erect now, brave enough to face