The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-10-20
The truth was Tom had fallen in

love with the blue-robed maiden,
and enjoyed the sensation; and
though at this moment he would
have given a half years income for q
change of raiment, he still felt CRATE
full to the fate that had led him
to this spot. After he had finished
his breakfast he told Ruth that if
there was any little piece of work he
could do till ner fathers return he
was ready to undertake it.
Ruth didn't know; she Thought
there must be something, but she
didn't just know what.
She tried to be very dignified and
very business-like and failed COM
pletely. Finally she said that if he
understood using the lawn-nower he
might employ himself in that wayfor
awhile.
""Papa is very particular about the
lawn" she said.
He could easily believe it, for it was
already as smooth as a carpet; but
he began his work somewhat cau-
tiously it must he confessed.
Ruth came out and gave some lit
tie directions. The wind blew her
f1ossy hair about her face in a bewil-
dering fashion and heightened the
color in her cheeks to actual rosiaess.
The sight of such loveliness set Toms
heart beating unanimously.
The adventure was beginning to
assume an embarrassing character;
he wanted to be "himself again"
Having assumed a false position, he
found it difficult to extricate himself.
"This 8 rather comical, Tom," he
said to himself; ''here's a croquet
ground, and you are skillful player;
here's lively young lady, and you
have been known to be agreeable to
lively young ladies. Here are all the
facilities for summer idyl,
and yet-and yet The man who
casts off his real character and az
sumes a higher has some excuse;
there is the element of ambition in
his deception, but the man who vol
unfairly abjures his birthright for
the fun of the thing is a great idiot,
and you are that man, Tom Hamil-
ton. Next time you masquerade,
be a Polish count"
Then he heard the piano. There
was a skilled hand upon the instru-
ment, and in a moment arose exguis-
tie strains from "Norma." Tom
resigned his position as amateur
gardener and threw himself under q
tree to listen.
Then followed a brilliant rendering
of parts of ezra Diavolo;" than an
aria "Don Giovanni" This she
commenced, proceeded a certain dis
tance, hesitated, tried again, stop
ped; again and again was this re-
peated.
Tom had several good gifts; he
was q good musician and could
whistle beautifully. There was
something positively exquisite in it
low and tender and sweet, or clear
and strong, as the spirit of the
music bid.
He thought, ~ am not presentable
in your parlor, but think can help
you, if / am a tramp" So he COM
lnenced the aria she failed upon, that
sweetest of all arais, LA ci darem,"
without false note.
The melody with all it's tender, soft
earnestness, it's slow, swimming tones
of passionate languor fell upon her
ear. She tried again; this time he,
from his position under the tree, &C
companed the piano. Again she fall
tered at the same place, stopped,
while he carried it through to the
end.
Then he saw Miss Ruth on the porch,
and her sweet voice reached him, in
these words, gentle and courteous,
and yet with just the slightest touch
of authority:
81 wish you would come here a
moment"
Tom walked slowly toward her.
81 wish you would whistle that
passage again, where I failed, you
remember. l haven't the music. l
tried to play it from memory" she
exclaimed. "And you whistle it with
wonderful accuracy, and wonderful
precision, too"
Tom colored with pleasure, through
the mosquito blotches that adorned
his face.
He raised his hat, and said: "Iwill
stand outside and accompany you;
or, if you will grant me the pleasure.
/ will play it for you"
Miss Ruth lifted her hands with as
constituent and replied:
81 have seen some curious people in
my life, but / don't know as l ever
saw a-a-tramp who understood
opera music. No! certainly not in
this region of the country"
"Miss Ruth" Tom said, "youknow
the poet says things are not what
they SEEM | am aliving illustration
of the truth of that statement. lam
not what / seem, but don't know as
/ can prove that to you. However
such credentials as | have / lay at
your feet" and Tom solemnly took
from his pocket his two soiled hand
kerchiefs, the picture of his Cousin
Bessie, his copy of Tennyson, the two
cigars, and the empty matchbox,
and also the fragment of rhyming.
Mynameis Thomas de Quincy Ham
ilton. l live and practice law in Chi
cago, as did my father before me. l
have wandered like lost sheep for
a day and night in the woods near
here, in consequence of an injudicious
love of nature and an unwise reliance
upon the red mans word"
He handed her the copy of Tenny-
son and the picture. She glanced at
the first, saw then written in it,
laid it down; but when she looked at
the photograph she cried out. Bessie
Grangerl' and with the impulsiveness
of girl of Is carried the picture to
her lips and gave it a kiss that made
Tom wish himself asmall bit ofpaste-
board for moment.
"Why this is the picture of Bessie,
my old roommate at Vassar, and
you must be her Cousin Tom, ofwhom
I've heard her talk by the hour to-
gether."