Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 12, 1927 — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

o4 ~ to remember back to when he was "bout fifteen or so, and does he mind him of Willie Miller. He'll give ye an earful, un- less he’s lost his memory or something.” Lem nodded without replying. He felt that he had very shrewdly led his employer to reveal his identity; and he slightly hastened his gait, anxious to get back and _ tell his news. It would put him in the lime- light for a moment; a place where he sel- dom basked. He could not recall ever hearing of any William Miller; probably some relation to old Mrs. Ellen. Brother, maybe. Though they didn’t look alike! His father would clear all that up; or, any of the loafers at the depot; the old-timers, that is. Whatever the past of this William, it would be raked up and spread out and picked over until not a cold clinker was left untouched. Maybe he’d been in pris- on: he looked sort of fat and white and un- wholesome. Anyhow, something would have kept him away from Miller’s Creek all these years! Lem wondered if Ellen Sproul would be glad to see him. It was lucky he’d offered to tote his bag. He’d watch close, and be able to tell the neighbors just exactly what happened at the reunion. This was a great day for the town! Nothing so exciting had happened in a year. No further talk enlightened their journey, which was only a matter of half a mile up the turnpike. At a bend in the road, a gaunt old two-story-and-a-half house loomed in sight. It was a noble edifice, though badly in need of paint in front. The ends were of brick; at least, the end George could see was, and he assumed that the other one was also. There was a front door of eight panels, with a brass knocker, and a good fanlight. A few dejected-look- ing zinnias still bloomed in the ample front yard. At the rear was a sturdier bloom, in more vivid coloring, where a clothesline flapped in the stiff November breeze, and red flannel and figured calico contended and strove to escape. Lem Potter thrust aside the gate with one foot, and led the way up a flagged walk. — He did not propose to miss the meeting; = and before George could speak, the boy ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. had reached up and hammered on the stout oak with the big knocker. He still clung to the valise. It seemed to give him an excuse for staying on. There was a long delay. The lad turned his head, spoke: “Sproul ain’t to home. He drove over to the cattle show at Derry. But I guess Mrs. Sproul’s.somewhere about.” ‘“ Drove over to Derry, did he?” George echoed, pleased to learn that his meeting with the head of the house was to be de- layed. ‘‘ Got a car, has he?” “Nope. Concord buggy. The old Mil- ler one fixed up. But a new horse; one he got last year at the county fair.” The words were just out of his mouth, when the great door swung inward, and Ellen Sproul confronted them. Her de- termined chin jutted out, her beady eyes swept the two. Her thin arms were folded; it seemed to George that she might, had she wished, com- pletely girdled her own waspish waist: and clasped her hands at the back. The woman nodded. ‘ Morning, Lem!” Then, cold eyes on George, she snapped: “Don’t want nothing to-day! Too many peddlers and canvassers round. Drive me to distraction—” George smiled fatuously, extended his arms, watched with an almost ferocious at- tention by the boy. “ Ellen—dear Ellen! Have I changed so much? Don’t you know me?” A change came over the pale face of the’ old woman; a change that would have done credit to any actress. .Her eyes widened, her thin lips parted, a smile crinkled all over her face, and it seemed as if her heart skipped three or four beats. Her arms unclasped, were extended yearningly to- ward the strange man, “William!” she gasped. “My Uitle brother Willie! Come back to me, and to his home, at last!” She toppled forward, and George swept her into his arms, supporting her there on the doorstep, which was composed of half of a gigantic grindstone. In an instant Ellen recovered, drew her- self away, stiffened. She stepped back, throwing wide the door.