Evening star., 1936-02-14
CHAPTER XVII.
FIRST STEP.

1CC Td4i1S ia V&A. N44S
~ went back In memory to her
d n earliest recognition Of him as
part of her world. She had never
known him to do an unfair, unjust
act. She had never known him to be
unkind. His only fault had been his
eood-natured. easy going disposition.
But he had stood by her that one
time. He had defied Charlotte, at
what must have been considerable
cost to his peace of mind. Perhaps
If he realized what was going on ne
would fight to see that Luke's wishes
we're carried out.
How can I reach him, without re-
realing my whereabouts" she pom
dered. II don't risk seeing him, though
] would If it were necessary"
And then she decided she could
write to Judge Kellogg, who. having
read the will, could approach him on
the ground of the canneries' failure
to obey the terms. It would save her
writing direct, for she wasn't sure the
letter wouldn't be waylaid SO he would
never receive it.
Satisfied with her decision, she
looked up. John was standing near.
watching her. Feel better?" he asked.
Anne nodded and just then call
came from George. It was time to
haul in the catch and John sprang
into action. Even Nina, who had
been curled up on the galley bench
asleep. stood by.
Anne watched entranced as the net
was hauled in, the steady glare Of the
boats searchlight playing on the fish
as they came Tipping over the side.
A giant chinook topped out Of the net
and Orvi uttered cry Of triumph.
A good omen for the boat, it was all
Of 80 pounds.
George tossed a fiat founder back
into the water. "Plap" it went and
Anne laughed as she imagined II
cutting the lower waters like a blade
In its rush to reach the shadowy
security Of the bottom. There was q
sturgeon, too, to be taken home and
baked by Tesla.
It was a good haul; good omen
Satisfied, they put back to town
nosed into wharf from where Anne
huddled in Johns coat, could see the
Farnsworth Fisheries, the silver letters
of the sign cleaning out beneath the
wharf lights.
She thought of another time when
she had looked up at the long green
buildings. So much had happened ir
the short span of time between; SC
many things which Luke had given
the best of his life to perfect were
being undone And she was helpless
to interfere, her hands literally tiec
by the will Luke had left.
And yet, Anne felt that there was
something yet to come, some crisis
for her to meet. Standing in the
prov Of the boat, her face lifted to the
cool uight wind, she wondered If she
would have the courage, the high
courage, to meet it.
That night she lay in her narrow
bed and thought Of the things Johr
had told her. Somehow she coule
not doubt him. 1t clarified thu
mystery of Luke's actions, it explained
Rob's reaction to her loss Of the estate
And she thought Of Johns concerr
over some possible danger to her
Foolish that, but pleasing. He has
asked her to trust him. She did
though she wondered how she coult
trust any one after the way her i'm
plicit faith in Rob had been shattered
After hurrying through breakfas
and the houseWork, she and Nina
rushed up to the cottage where Johr
had left the boxes, barrels and trunks
opened and ready for them. Anne hae
one moment of panic as she saw tht
crowded room and realized that here
we're things which would definitel,
tie her to memories of the past.
There was the great cedar chest
with its neatly packed layers of linens;
the barrel of dishes. And there were
odds and ends of furniture. Smoking
stands, coffee tables, book and wal
shelves, radio, and one deep chair
with an ottoman to match.
Anne looked at the chair and wished
she might do away with it. 1t wa;
to have been birthday present tt
Rob. When she had bought it she
had imagined she could see him, darl
head against the cushioned rest, her.
self sitting on the ottoman looking ul
ut him.
That was 1t, always with Rob she
vas looking "up." He had demanded
IT, and because of his years of SEN
iority she had given it. Never hao
they met on common grounds such as
she and John were meeting on daily
But why compare Rob and Johni
She wasn't in love with John.
She would give the chair to Lisa
surely the sight Of Liisa's topknot
sliding back and forth would serve al
an antidote for any unhappiness she
might have at seeing it in the room
Lisa was delighted when Anne pre-.
sented 1t to her that noon. She was
delighted with everything. She
marched from room to room with
pencil and pad, as Anne sat writing
G. letter to Judge Kellogg, which Liiss
would take into town to mail.
The letter off, Anne relaxed. Uncle
Zee would arise to this challenge. The
fishermen would be treated fairly and
she well, somehow the days would
pass.
The days did pass. Closed season
came on and the boys were free tx
help with the new home, and "ths
boys" included John. Not that HI
was there too often, for there seemed
always to be some one calling him Il
attend to this or that But it wa.
nften enough to make the house seen
lonely without him.
And the days passed without hear.
ng from Lee Farnsworth. Judge