The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-09-21

A hideous feeling came upon her
that this was not her father at all
who sat facing her, but some gro-
tesque old changeling with demon
ridden soul. His eyes burned as he
searched her face, his massive
hands clenching the arms of his
chair.
A tremor took possession of her so
that her shoulders quivered invol-
unfairly. She twined her fingers
tightly together and bent forward.
"Tell me-what is wrong?" she
said softly.
The old mans body seemed to sag,
exhausted, into the depths of his
chair. Your mothers hair-bur-
nished as October" he said absent
ly, then lifted his head slowly.
Nothing is wrong, my child, moth
ing"
The sound of Hannah's football on
the stairway xroke the moments
spell and Autumn got up as the old
housekeeper hurried nervously into
the room.
''Hannah!"
The woman halted suddenly, her
hand clutching at her breast. She
eyed Autumn incredulously, then
drew her breath in a quick gasp.
Autumn hurried toward her and put
her arms about the bowed shoulders.
"Hannah-don't you know me?"
The only immediate response was
a sob that shook the old woman's s
frame as she clung to Autumn. .
my baby-my babyi" Hannah
said at last, her voice thin and bro.
ken and incredibly old.
Autumn drew her close and
soothed her with little words Of en-
dearment remembered from her
childhood. Hannah, Hannahl Little
old Muzzy-wuzzyi"
Jarvis Dean drew himself up pom
derously in his chair. "Come, nowl"
he thundered. "There'I be time
enough for thatl Put the kettle on
the fire and make us pot of tea. /"
Hannah drew away and Autumn
patted her affectionately on the
shoulder. Eyes, Hannah, make us
some tea. Wen have days and days
to talk. I'm never going to leave
home again.
The old woman pattered away to
the kitchen and Autumn sat down
again on the satin settee.
so you are counting on staying
here" her father said.
eff have to turn sheep and run
with the flock, d." Autumn
laughed.
Jarvis Deans head sank forward
on his chest "Were you not well
enough off with your aunt, them"
he asked her.
81 have nothing against Aunt Flo,
Da. She has always been lovely to
me-"
What brings you home, then?"
Jarvis Deans voice was deep, his
breathing labored.
I'm fed up with all that mean
ingless existence-and this is my
home" Autumn's voice quivered
and broke at the realization of the
fantastic heartlessness of the situa-
ton, Bewildered and appalled, and
crushed, size struggled to regain
control of her voice. ''Do you mean
you really don't want me here,
DAP" she asked.
The old man shifted uneas ly in
his chair Here? What kind of a
place is this for girl like your"
he demanded.
Autu1nn's eyes oarted helplessly
from one object in the room to an
other, as though she were seeking
refuge from the overwhelming and
cruel stupefaction that had come
upon her. "Why-whatever can you
have against my being here-I can't
believe"
Her father held up his hand with
a peremptory gesture. What did
tell you in England last Christmas
when you wanted to come back here
with me?"
II never believed that you really
meant that | couldn't come back.
| Why, t's-it's the most unreasona-
BILE thing I've ever heard of. We've
always had such wonderful times to-
gether and l."
Jarvis Dean rose abruptly to his
great height and the anguish in his
face wrung her heart in amazement
and mystification. Lets talk no
more about it," he said with an ef-
fort. "You have come and you will
have to stay--for a decent length of
time, anyhow--or people will have
something to wag their damned silly
tongues about. III not have them
talking-about the Deans"
A change came over him, so swift
and. brilliant that the horrible
thought swept through Autumn that
perhaps he had, for the agonizing
period just past, been mentally de-
ranged. His head, with its smooth
waves of white hair, rose proudly,
a half mocking smile played about
his stern mouth, but his eyes were
wistful as he came toward Autumn
with his hands outstretched.
She got up quickly and put her
arms about him, beating back the
tears that threatened. Poor old
Da!" she said softly Il should nev-
er have come if L"
Enough of that! You are here. ;"
He turned from her. Whats keep
ing you, Hannah
I'm coming directly" Hannah re-
piled querulously.
The old man shook his head Slow
ly. "She's about done, that one." he
muttered She's more misery to