The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-09-06
Chapter 45
THE RETURN


 THE RETURN T THE village looked just the same, T and yet to Georgie, peering out of the window of MT. Scarlet's old cab, 1t seemed as if 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 Georgie 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 as old Scarlet placed the whip in it's 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," Georgie said. He hauled her luggage down from the top of the cab. and with B belated sense of courtesy pushed open the iron gate where the wooden plate which had once borne the name of "The Hollies' looked more weather-beaten and shamefaced than sver.
 Are they expecting you. Miss?" Mir. Scarlet asked.
 "No." Georgie said, "I just came" She walked up the path to the house and pushed the door open, wondering if it had ever been locked since she went away.
 The familiar atmosphere of the old shabby house rushed out to greet her, and she smiled faintly as she crossed the hall to her uncle's study. Nobody was there. Georgie went into the kitchen.
 Nobody there either. but a fire was burning brightly, and row of clean tea-towels was hung to dry on a string stretching the width of the room.
 Georgie paid MT. Scarlet. told him to leave her luggage in the hall. and went upstairs. Her bedroom door was shut, and she opened 1t with the eerie feeling that she was step ping back into the past. long way back.
 Cinderella who had driven away three months ago in luxurious mo- tor, had come back in MT. Scarlet's cab to an empty house.
 The blinds were drawn down in this room and it smelt musty and disused.
 Georgie drew the blinds up and opened the windows; 1t seemed a lifetime since her last return home, when she had leaned from the win dow and picked rose. fresh from the rain.
 Would Edward Bancroft be glad to see her, or had he grown used to being alone? .
 The house did not seem to have suffered by her absence as she had half thought it might: it looked just the same. It was only she who had changed so much. who had left everything worth having In life far behind her.
 CHE took off her hat and went
 downstairs again. and as she reached the hall, she heard the fa- miliar slam of the creaking iron gate, and then the almost violent opening of the front door under Ed ward Bancroft's hand.
 He looked not quite so red-faced or ill-kept. for his hair was neatly brushed. and. wonder of wonders. he was wearing new tie.
 He stopped dead on the cocoanut mat, and stared at her, then he said s""Good Lord!"
 i've come home," Georgie said almost timidly.
 f What for?" he asked bluntly.
 She tried to smile; it was not much of welcome when one wanted D welcome so badly.
 They've had enough of me- she said.
 Just what I expected" he said, and then. Well, you don't look any better for your gay life"
 T don't think it's been very gay" Georgie said. and then, How are ivou, uncle?"
 How do you suppose I am?" he demanded. Just the same. Every khing's the same"
 He went into his study. and she heard him pouring out drink.
 After moment Georgie followed lhim.