Free Hannah's Journey by June Venable Page B

beautiful it is! I know how much you wanted an automobile.”
    “Well, we must thank our last clients,” he laughed, then told the family of the workings of the grand machine.
    Delia’s eyes widened in amazement.
    Uncle David carried Hannah to the car and the family piled in to go for a ride. With pride, he explained how the Buick Touring Auto could reach speeds of twenty miles an hour.
    “Be careful then, David. We’ve got the girls and we wouldn’t want to have an accident.” Aunt Margaret said as she clutched the side door. Hannah and Caroline sat in the back and waved to anyone who walked by. People taking an afternoon stroll stared in wonder as the family motored down the street.
    Mr. Needham, the barber, and his wife stopped to look. For once, Mrs. Needham was too surprised to speak. Her mouth flew open but no words came out. Hannah and Caroline ducked down so they couldn’t be seen laughing at the sight.
    “Girls, that’s enough,” Aunt Margaret said, hardly able to contain her own smile.
    Delia took a spin next but declared afterward, “Mr. David, I thank you, but if you don’t mind. I ain’t got nowhere to go that my two feet won’t carry me.”
    The girls clamored for another spin, so around the neighborhood they went again.
    Uncle David asked the family, “Do you remember when I said that we might go down to Galveston one of these days?”
    When they had all answered his question, he continued. “Just as soon as Hannah’s leg mends we’ll make a trip there. But I think we’ll take the train. We’ll get there a lot quicker than traveling by auto no matter what a beauty this one is.”
    Hannah’s smile faded for a moment, as she remembered her last train trip. Then she recalled that the train also brought her to Lafitte and the Logans.
    “I’ve read about the new place on the beach built just a few years ago. It’s called The Galvez Hotel, and it sounds wonderful,” said Aunt Margaret. “Why don’t we stay there, David?”
    “I’m sure we can arrange that, but let’s head back now. Delia gets upset if we’re late for dinner.” With that, Uncle David rounded the block and set the new automobile in the direction of home.
    Texas is an exciting place, Hannah thought as she got ready for bed that night. Good or bad, things were always changing. But tonight it seemed that the good far overshadowed the bad. Aunt Margaret tucked her in with a kiss. “Sleep well, Hannah. It’s been quite a wonderful day, hasn’t it?”
    Sometime deep in the night, Hannah felt a hand on her arm.
    “Who is it?” she said trying to shake off the dream of Uncle David and the family driving into a tornado.
    “It’s me, Hannah, and I don’t feel so good.”
    Hannah pulled herself upright. By the pale moonlight that lay across the floor, she saw Caroline standing by her bed.
    “What’s the matter, Caroline?” Hannah whispered. Touching the child’s face, she found it burning with fever. At that moment, Caroline whimpered and slid to the floor. Unable to go for help, Hannah cried out, “Aunt Margaret, Uncle David, please come quickly. Something is terribly wrong with Caroline.”
     
    CHAPTER THIRTEEN – THE LONG ROAD BACK
     
    Dr. Layton had been called to Caroline’s bedside and stood talking with her parents.
    Hannah and Delia sat quietly in the upstairs hallway waiting for news. “I’m glad you live here, too, Delia. I was so scared until you came upstairs to stay with me.”
    “Don’t worry, Hannah. That child’s gonna get well.” Delia said, stroking the long blond hair. “I know how frightened you must have been, but you kept your wits about you and called for help. I know Caroline’s mama and daddy appreciated that.”
    The bedroom door opened and the adults walked out. The men had serious looks on their faces, and Aunt Margaret’s face was stained with tears.
    “Hannah, Delia, I’m afraid Caroline is a very sick little girl. She has scarlet fever. It’s serious, but she’s strong