The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-11-25

thoughtfully, and said slowly: II live
for me.
"'Course, I've always thought 1t was
a blamed silly play. All about a poor
boy marrying lady under false pre-
lenses. Good many years since read
1t, though, but as | remember, he made
good. I've often wondered II In real
life"
But his companion cared nothing
about discussing Lytton's old play. Il
say, Claude Melnotte." he interrupted,
lis your Peace Valley home lit by ala
baster lamps'?'
He was home again, after week of
the Wholesale and Retail Grocer's con.
vention in New York. Behind that
calm exterior he was greatly excited.
Something In the young mans ques-
ton family stirred his memory. Surely
lamps" ip that old play. Vaguely feel
ing that there was another answer. he
took particular pains to be exact.
We've got an electric light plant
for the store only, as you'll notice. In
the house we burn coal oil. They're
Rochester lamps"
He threw the door wide open and
beckoned to his companion to enter
saying:
Welcome home, Ned. Welcome to
Peace Valley and our store"
With their entrance conversation
Mr.. Dabbs and his companion.
Ned saw what seemed an immense
cavern, lit by crudely installed electric
lights which shed garlsh glow over
the huge stock of canned goods, flower
pots, cotton cloth, hams, bacon, tea,
tute general store.
Hello. Sim," Mr.. Dabbs began,
greeting the big-headed, pale-faced
man behind the counter who was la
ding out sugar for bewhiskered
farmer.
But before he could introduce Ned
a clear, glrlIsh voice interrupted:
II beg pardon, but coud-will any
one tell me the road to Clover Hol-
low"
The occupants of the store trans
unnotic -.,.- - ssssstszd Just behind
Mr. Dabbs and his corapanion.
SIC was slender, vivid. dark girl.
me might suspect, and find, red lights
In the brown hair almost hidden by
her close-fitting hat, and a fire In the
blue eyes that looked out from under
long, dark lashes. Everything about
her spoke of money and care expend-
ed upon every article OF her clothing.
She had that curious air Of RESPONSE
bility and knowledge that is so oddly
part Of youth that the war has left us.
Il beg pardon" Ned began, but the
girl looked past him and at the capa-
BILE Dabbs, who had turned toward her
and was pointing through the dark
doorway as he spoke;
Go straight along up that road I'M
III you pass Brook farm. which you'll
know by the little covered bridge over
the brook. Cross the bridge, turn to
the right and keep on up the Hill and
away from Peace Valley and you'll be
on the only road to Clover Hollow"
The girl thanked him briefly, though
cordially and went swiftly out. Ordi-
narily the crowd would have discussed
her, her destination and her likelihood
Of being "stayer" or just visitor ut
Clover Hollow But now there was
another stranger present, and they
turned their attention to Ned.
Mr.. Dabbs introduced him briefly
MY nephew. Ned Carter, come to
stay awhile"
Then. as the store began TO wake NJ
and get ready for speech. he turned
to Ned with a curt, Come In an'
meet Aunt Lyddy."
Ned followed without knowing tina
he had left behind seething mass -
curiosity Dabbs knew it. That Cluud
Dabbs had an unknown nephew wa
unthinkable. and unsupported by tn
facts concerning the Dabbs family a
known In Peace Valley.
Jim Farnum made one brave effor
toward putting things on Tie prope
Peace Valley footing AS Mr.. Dabb
led Ned to the door. Jim found hi
voice:
Didn't know you had uevvy
Claude" he called out. land don't X
actly see how you can, either, seeini
you're the only one OF the hull Dabb
family left"
"My second cousins boy from III
West He's always called me uncle
though, instead OF cousin, owing t
the difference In years. Come on
Ned" and Dabbs opened the door.
Ned found himself In queer. bar
little room, almost filed by BIZ
table-topped desk of the vintage o
1860. quite as large as a modern din
Ing table, and vast armchair tina
looked even older, though both wer
In an excellent state of repair. Their
were no pictures on the wall. only
calendar
my Office" Dabbs explained. "Bu
come on and meet Aunt Lyddy, one o
the best women God ever put breatl
| in, but likely TO he fustered II yo
bring anybody on her-suddenlike
He opened a door leading into tn
| interior of the house and ushered Ne
into the family dining room. Aun
Lyddy sat at the table, a Rocheste
| lamp in the center on an elaborated
embroidered centerpiece. The lam
had a white shade. but after the HAIRS
light of the shop. Ned was grateful 70
the softer glow. Aunt Lyddy was
personable old lady. handsome despit
her sixty-odd years, with great pill
of the whitest hair Ned had ever seer
She looked up as Mr.. Dabbs entere
and scrutinized Ned from over tn
rims of her glasses.
"Well. Mister Dabbs, this Is prett
time to come homel Been ajoyin
around somewhere, as usual, SUI
pose"