Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1947-07-25
CHAPTER !

= In the front seat OF The Car, edl
Subduing his own particular bran
of impatience. Todd McKinnon We
exercising rigid control over tn
foot that rested SO lightly on tn
accelerator, and thinking longing
ly of letting her out.
Georgine Wyeth, beside hin
could almost sense this emotion
through the shoulder which com
panionably touched hers, although
what could be seen of his fac
under the tilt of his soft nat be
trayed no visible strain. The ons
thing she wanted was to get home
rs soon as possible.
Todd glanced beyond her at hel
daughter Barby, and then met
Georgine's eyes in amusement. The
e1ild's slender little nape, framed
h tow-colored pigtails, was still
tense with excitement, bliss. and
the desire to talk.
This had been jBarby's day. She
was exactly eight years old, and
the celebration, specified by her.
self, had embraced not only a day
on from school but visit to the
army camp at Sacramento where
T0dd's eldest nephew was sta
toned. Sergeant Dyke McKinnon,
tWenty-One years old, was 4 red
headed charmer and well used to
making rapid conquests; but Bar
hy's instant alteration had been of
Z character to turn any mans
head. To most adults she seemed
plain, silent child, with q remote
gravity that was very nearly for
Aaidable. When she got one Of her
rare brushes she Lit up like a pin
ball game. The sergeant had fallen
With an almost audible thud.
Barby's silence for the past half
hour was not from choice. For the
1rst few miles out Of Sacramento
me had jabbered so necessarily
that she was now under orders not
to speak again until she had count
ed five large red objects, nothing
smaller than motorcycle &C.
eepted.
Todd McKinnon said, after a
glance at his watch, Him, nearly |
Ave-thirty. What do you think, |
Georgine? Shall we stop off for
minute to see those friends of
Dykes? They live at Valleyville.
We'd have to turn off the main
highway for few miles. I've been
figuring. We'd have to stop some
where for supper, it'll be after
seven before we get to Berkeley.
Ne might as well drop in at this
place for a fifteen-minute call, and
then be on our way again. Would
not lose much time"
It was an effort to make a deci-
SON. but Georgine considered the
l1m. ION the whole, l should think
ut she began.
And red barn and a red
hg1Be." Barby shrieked. That's
1se. Now can I talk, Mamma?
Look, We haff to stop in that town
cDnsin Dyke told us about. We
ha4 to-"
Then let's turn of and stop In
y1l3eyville," she said swiftly. Bar
Us head came up, and the radi-
snne returned to her face.
11r. McKinnon thought, how
Asy It is to make child happy.
Why do we ever hesitate?
Todd seemed to be talking to
"The end of Walnut {
Itreet, wasn't that what he said?" t
Great heavens, Todd" said
sseorgine, leaning forward as the 6
m stopped, IT'S the town man .
3pni" 7
There it stood, what remained of d
! magnificent monstrosity of the h
igttieS weathered white paint on t
cards, faded dark green paint on h
ld-fashioned hinged shutters; 4
light of front steps worthy Of 8
lmnner hotel; corners truncated r
nd then enlarged into square bay 2
indows; tottering upper porches, o
,explicably surrounding the +
d,0le third story.
After bit, Todd came running \
psvn the steps. Young Mrs. Crane =,
MT home" he said from the side !.
nix, "but her aunt Mrs. Peabody Q
! She very much wants us to =,
me In. Okay for a few minutes" =
One Of the doors at the rear K
Des,ed, and 4 small slim wo- ~ =.
m came hurrying through. - -
Mrs.. Peabody must be In her :.
t. thirties, but her sort Of at .
activeness did not depend on "
18th. She had the only really
sart-shaped face -Georgine had NJ
a seen, its widely set gray eyes w
I'd delicate holows under the Sc
Oh cheekbones giving her look tn
great sweetness. ST
She held her breath for a mo- az
INT. Normally at such 4 time,
rby held out paw which her w
other devoutly hoped was not at
|ciy. How do you do" she said Pt
refully, and added in an awed WI
Ne. do you know our Cousin 40
vke?"
Eyes. do. He was here to dinner M
&c, and stayed the night" eli
"Oh, isn't he q lovely man :" ap
lrby said, her voice faint with gu