The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-11-26
CHAPTER I

a "A
 Holster who had thrown the big doors of the home in she had been born 20 years before wide to scandal ized but eager public.
 With the gesture she had smashed traditions that had bound the Hosers together despite the failing fortunes of most of the can sale" would be in full swing in the large double drawing where Anns mother had entertained beautifully, and where Ann's grandmother had entertained still more lavshly
 There had been little entertaining Ann child She had grown after the death of her mother after things had changed"
 Ann and her adored father had continued live in the old home which much too large for them, had man. aged somehow to the stigma of poor kn that attached to other relatives of Aunt Hattie Hoster Ham, mond.
 Within the past week Ann had learned that all she owned in the world the roof her head few "od things Soon she would be homeless Anns deci sion to sell the family antiques responsible for the sentiment of her relatives and the rufed surface of calm old Greenfield today.
 WHEN Ann had arrived home the week before Aunt Hattie !" had met her in the outmodeed limousine that was in the face of arsocratc Greenfield because Aunt Hattie rich and therefore could do she pleased
 They had driven Aunt Hattie's Victorian home "The Ems" instead of to Anns house Cherry street. Ann had attributed this to sympathy her aunts part. It would be hard for the girl back the home where she and her father had been happy and where he had died last fall.
 Almost before she had had time her hat the news that she was penniess was broken to Ann.
 "You haven't cent" Aunt Hattie had said in her thin, acid voice You might well know the truth because you'll probably be bounded to death by fathers creditors Luckily there's nothing they do The house left to you by your mother At least you'll have that and few olG things"
 "Creditorsr Ann had gasped her face white
 "That's what said Your father owed everybody That is everybody who foolish enough to lend him any ey. And there great many As Barnum said
 Ann's fierce yes stopped the older Please! Why wasn't told about this before?"
 Because your father exacted promise from that quix otic old idiot Harvey Wilson It second of college had been paid up"
 "But my allowance2 It came regularly"
 Probably from Harvey's pocket though heaven knows how he got it if reports about his practice true
 Creditors . creditors .' The words kept coming back like horrid little refrain.
 Cousin Lucy had in kissed Ann perfunctorly and then stood, timidly her eyes Aunt Hattie
 Aunt Hattie meeting Cousin Lucy's eyes and reading the signal there said importantly "You and live with me- of course, Ann. I'll be glad to have you"
 Cousin Lucy had beamed this magnanimity and then slipped from the room like quiet little mouse.
 Anns eyes had met her aunt's cold gaze It like sudden plunge into cold water
 "Thank you, but couldn't-you see I'm going away"
 "Suit yourself, of course. But don't see how you're going when"
 "When haven't penny, Ann said soberly with wry
 little smile about her mouth She hadn't idea either how she could She only knew she must somewhere It would be unbearabe living at Aunt Hates Cousin Lucy had done for so long.
 Cousin Lucy familiar figure in Greenfield, trudg ing along the streets in shoes the bulky old fur coat Tapping about her ankles.
 Oh how horrible it would be become like Cousin Lucy walking stody along the street. with the fractious Peng uggng at the leash And terrible to be like members of Uncle Eds family fawnng for favors trips money for emergencies of them hoping they would out live Aunt Hattie and enjoy her money after she had
 Until to-day Ann had believed she was midway between her aunts prosperous condition and the economic helpless of her other relatives Then with terrible suddenness everything changed.
 Presently Ann walked out of the gloomy old house that much like its mistress and down the wide front street which had become the town moved from ra diona boundaries mixture of homes and business places Ann loved the street, familiar and therefore dear
 The great elms and cotonwoods stood long fore she born, stretching protecting above and casting dappled shade below.
 MN climbed the stairs that led to the law office of her "A fathers friend The was she remembered