New Britain herald., 1924-12-18
CHAPTER l The Wild Geese Are Calling Calling

he sat up and watched her with froWn of alarm. For she laid aside her book and went to the window. By pressing close to the pane she could look past the reflection of the room and the high light which the lamp threw in the glass; she could look past this to the shadow of the desert and she saw. like ghosts, the shining of the stars.
 She went outside 10 the night. The stars which she had seen from the window were bright and cold, and still the honking of the wild geese dropped in hurried choruses or lonely single notes. The calling died off toward the north. And she waited through a silence as if for an answer from the earth to those voices from the sky.
 The back door of the house closed, the screen jingling softly. Joan" called Buck Daniels.
 She could not answer at once. It was as though hand were draw ing her back.
 "Joan," he called again; and this time the sharp note of alarm made her turn quickly.
 "Yes dad" she answered.
 He came half running toward her. He caught her by the arR.
 Why didn't you answer up when l called ?" he demanded, panting Come back into the house. Come back out of this darkness --. this-'
 She went back obediently beside him, but his hand did not loose her arm even while he was opening and closing the door. He did not even free her when they were back in the kitchen living room Of the house.
 Why didn't you answer when ] called you the first timc?' he asked again. "Why did you stop What were you thinking about Why did you go outside, Joan?"
 She looked upon him with, ( frank wonder, Time and many sor rows had so scanned and weather | beaten his face that every strong emotion looked like anger: but al. ] though his brOws bcetled and hit . eyes giared and his lips compressed l she knew that it was fear which 1 had touched him.
 Fear of what? She had no time to ask or to an. sWcr for he went on again:
 You go back 10 your book, Yot go right back and sit down there!'
 He actually led her to the chair
 "Now, honey" he said, when sh' was seated with inc book in hel lap, "ain't you comfortable here Is the light where you want it?"
 She smiled up to him and saV him turn away to his own place Then he spoke again. "Joan-"
 She turned toward him ant smiled,
 Joan, you am happy
 He was deeply moved by some thing. for she could see that h had locked his hands together a if 10 keep the fingers from show ing any unsteadinoss.
 Why do you say that" sh asked Why do you say I'm no happy"
 I'm asking questions, Joan - arrt stating facts. But tell me true What you got on your mind boney?"
 Nothing"
 He pointed at her a forehngc hhe the porting of a gun,
 T socn you sitting over you look for fifteen minutes and nevc turning a page Does that mea that you aint got nothing on you mind, Joan"
 T vas just thinking" she saic "of uo'hine."
 A flush of anger rose to h checks.
 What made you get up and lea' the room d while back" he eros! examined her.
 Tt vas a little warm in here said Joan.
 Joan. 1t was so plumb chill that you wondered if it wouidn be a goo1 idea to start a fire while back, and you put on a coi instead"
 It vas an attack so direct thi she changed color q little.
 As T matter of fact I've fo gotten why wanted 10 leave Il room. There was no reason"
 Buck Daniels sighed.
 Have you started in to cover things from me, Joan? l snppo such things have got to come every man"
 She was instantly driven to J treat,
 q never go where other gil , go" she said
 You mean to dances and sn' uke?"
 "Ycs."
 D Wait till you've growcd u n yan."
 I'm eighteen, dad" Q He blnked, Whats eighteer V thing but a baby" S She said nothing, but looked hi n .ptly In the face.
 Its what your mother wante oan. She wanted you to live qul r ll you were growed up" v But when 2II that b1-" Maybe when you're twenty .' s -Four years ago you said nld be when I was eighteen