The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-07-19
Chapter IS
THE RETURN

THE RETURN
THE village looked Just the same,
i and yet to George. peering out
Of the window Of Mr.. Scarlet's old
cab, II seemed as n she was coming
back into an entirely new world OF
which she yet knew every landmark.
As the old cab swung with pro-
testing creak round the corner
Georgis saw the tall holly-hedge
around her uncle's neglected garden,
looked taller still and more ragged,
soaring above the broken wall like
. child that has grown out Of last
years petticoat.
She shivered . little Is old Scarlet
placed the whip in its brass socket
and climbed slowly down from the
box, coming round to open the
shabby door Of the cab.
Had a nice holiday, Missie?" he
asked.
"Yes, thank you," George said.
He hauled her luggage down
from the top of the cab. and with
o belated sense OF courtesy pushed
open the iron gate where the wooden
plate which had once borne the
name of '"The Hodlies'' looked more
weather-beaten and shamefaced than
ever.
"Are they expecting you, Miss?''
Mr.. Scarlet asked
''No." George said, II just came"
She walked up the path to. the
house and pushed the door open,
wondering IL 1t had ever been locked
since she went away.
The familiar atmosphere Of the
old shabby house rushed out to greet
her, and she smiled family as she
crossed the hall to her uncle's study.
Nobody was there. George went
into the kitchen.
Nobody there eitfsr. but o Gre
was burning brightly, and Q row Of
clean tea-towels was hung to dry on
q string stretching the width Of the
room.
George paid Mr.. Scarlet told him
10 leave her luggage in the hall. and
went upstairs. Her bedroom door
was shut. and she opened It with
the oerie feeling that she was step
ping back into the past. . long way
back.
Cinderella who had driven away
three months Rgo In 3 Injurious mo
tor, had come back In MT. Scarlet's
cab to an empty houae.
The blinds were drawn down in
this room and It snselt musty and
disused.
George drew the blinds mp and
opened the windows: It seemed q
lifetime since her last return home,
when shs had leaned from the win.
dow and picked rose, fresh from
the rain.
Would Edward Bancroft be glad
70 see her. or had he grown used to
being aione7
The house did not seem 10 have
suffered By her absence as she had
half thought Il might: sk looked just
the same. Il was oniy she who had
changed 50 much, who had left
everything worth having In life far
behind her.
GIN took OF her hat and went
~ downstairs again, and as she
reached the hall. she heard the IA.
miliar slam OF the creaking iron
gate. and then the almost violent
opening of the front door under I'd.
ward Bancroft's hand.
He looked not quite so red.faced
or ilhkept. for HIS hair was neatly
brushed. and. wonder of wonders,
be was wearing . new tie
he stopped dead on the cocoanut
mat. and stared at her. then he said
~oood Lordl"
"i've come home" George said
almost timidly.
what fort" he asked bluntly.
She tried 10 smile: II was not
much Of a welcome when one wanted
q welcome so badly.
They've had enough ee me-" she
said.
"Just what expected" he said.
aud then. wall, yoa don't look any
better Tor your gay life"
Il don't think It's been very gay"
George said. and then. "How are
you. unelag@
How do you suppose I ams- he
demanded. ~Just the same. Every.
things the same
Ne went into his study. and she
heard him pouring out = drink.
After . moment George followed
him.
i hope you don't mind" she said.