Evening star., 1936-01-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
y AY did not announce her home
coming in advance. Once her
decision was made, there was

" coming in advance. Once her
n decision was made, there was
i - no time for letter, and moth
ing to be said in letter that could
not be better said first hand. She left
no letter of farewell for Bob.
It was impossible even to write
without self-betrayal.
She took the train to Dexter. The
better trains ran to Newf1eld. and a
motor bus service would bring her to
Carvel from either town; but If she
went home by way of Newf1eld, the
bus must pass through Carvel village
to reach Cap'n Somes' place, and she
dreaded the recognitions she must
face. the speculations her arrival must
provoke.
So she chose to come by way of
Dexter: and for the last hour of the
northward ride. while the Weare
meandere1 in wide easy curves within
sight of the train. she filled her eyes
with the familiar contours of the hills
and the pleasant green of the bright
countryside.
When she alighted at Dexter, she
met no one whom she knew. Even
the driver of the bus was a young
man she had never seen before. It
was, she reflected, more than two
years since she went away. and many
things might in the interval have
changed. Yet she smiled family at
the thought. Carvel did not change
The bus rocketed along the winding
road, lurching around the curves: and
suddenly she saw her home, half hid
den by encircling trees. ahead. Hel
eyes filled blindingly; but as the bus
slowed to drop her at her own gate
her heart leaped with thrilling and
incredible happiness: and she alighteo
smiling. She almost ran across the
wide lawn to the side door; and 6
moment later, weeping like child
she was in her mothers arms.
Kay had an hour alone with her
mother, for Will Brannan would not
come from the store till supper time
and Emily was. of course, at her home
taking care of the baby, preparing
supper for George.
For few minutes after her arrival
Kay was full of questions. Her father:
He was well, her mother said. But
he's growing older" Mrs. Brannar
explained. Il expect you will see a
great change in him. You mustn't lei
him see. II youre-shocked. He doesn't
realize it himself. Kay"
"Of course" Kay assured her. And
Emily's fine?"
Fine" Mrs. Brannan agreed
shes going to have another baby
you know"
Kay cried: "She is? ! didn't know
She hasn't told me. III bet George
is proud"
George is good man." Mrs. Bran
nan said gently. He is doing well
Kay!"
And Kay asked about other towns.
folk. Mrs Brannan patiently told hel
all the news. Nancy Towne had come
home from Holyoke without finishing
her course there. Il think she found
it hard to keep up with her studies,
Mrs. Brannan explained. Nancy was
always little-unstaSle People seem
to think she will marry Ethan Frame.
Sue Clemons, she said, had left the
post Office and gone To Concord as
assistant at the State library. A polit-
ical appointment. Lillian Radforc
was still teaching in the Carvel schools
She says she's stopped struggling.
Mrs. Brannan added, with a little
chuckle of mirth. "Lillians a nice
girl. Lots of fun. Enily's very fond
of her" Chuck Webster's filling sta
ton had become a garage and then
an agency for one of the low-priced
cars, and he was prospering. Ned
Pastor was back in charge of the power
plant. He was not very well, had
had a nervous breakdown. He and
George were good friends, and Ned
saw a good deal of George and Emily,
Charley Radford's shingle mill had
burned down, and Charley was dead.
How is Elmer?" Kay prompted
smiling at many memories.