The morning call., 1893-03-29
4 THRUSH'S SONG.


noon. and there were few travellers on a
Country road leading from the drowsy little
town of Hallowell. A winding stony road
it was. but it led over picturesque bridges
and clear rivers. through woods that were
dark and cool and fragrant with the breath
Of pines, out again past comfortable farm
houses and suddenly up steep hills from
whose tops charming land scape was visible.
The air was clear and full of a certain
braciag quality that makes Maine a de-
lightful sojourning place in summer.
So at least 1t seemed to Mark Houghton,
ms he brcathed the air of his native State
for the first time in twenty-five years. He
had purposely left his coming unannounred,
that he might enjoy the luxury of walk
over the old road, whose every scene had
once been so familiar to him. Memory
plays strange pranks with the most strait
laced Of US at times, and assuredly 1t was
only her magic that made this New York
lawyer enjoy dusty country walk for auld
lang syne.
A sudden turn and he came upon the little
scheohouse, just where it used to stand,
and but little changed in outward look by
the inevitable wear and tear of years.
ut holds its own better than | had
hoped" thought the lawyer, and moved by
sudden impulse he turned from the road
and went up to the door, 1t was not locked,
and in moment he stood inside. Here he
saw numerous changes that altered the
aspect of the place. Desks and seats of a
more modern style replaced the rude
benches he remem bered, and the walls were
covered with blackboards and maps. Walk
ing over to the teachers chair he sat down
and thoughtfully regarded the little room,
which had the desolate look peculiar to
empty schoOlrooms.
Here he had learned his first lessons in
days that returned 10 his memory only in
fragments and half-remembered Incidents.
Here, as he grew TO be larger lad, he had
wrestled with many 4 knOtty example" or
Surreptitiously planned frOlics for recess.
he recalled, too, some of his bOyish day
dreams Of great things" TO do by-and-by,
and smiled half bitterly as lie contrasted
them with the prosaic, self-centered life of
his after-yeaTs.
Then there were the later days when, as a
young coliegian, he came back TO spend his
vacation and taught the little school himself
TO help meet expenses at college. What a
humdrum life il was, TO be sure, sitting
there through the long summer days and
hearing the rural lads and lasses stun bic
through their lessOnsl What a stupid lot
of pupils they were-all but one of them.
And here Mark Houghton came ehrono-
logically 10 the thought that had been run
ming with more or less self-asseTtion all
through his musings-the thought of Leah
Hastings. She was the brightest of his
older pupils. and had even shared with him
some of The studies he was trying to make
uD" during the summer. But it was not as
his pupil that he remembered Leah; it was
as the gay and light hearted yet womanly
girl, With her great serious eyes and frank
snle.
"a curious mixture she was, indeed
thought the lawyer. Our love seems like
some far-away dream, some bright idyl.
" nder, il we had not quarreled. how she
would have changed my life, with her high
ideals and happy natureP"
a slight sound at the open door startled
him; he turned his head and saw woman
| standing there. half heslating. on the
threshold.
Il beg your pardon" she began. ~
tnought"-but something familiar in the
mans face stopped her.
AS for him, he knew from the first mo-
ment that 1t was Leah Hastings. With all
| the change that time had wrought in her
| and they we're not few-he could not mis-
| take that long remembered face. In mo-
| ment she. too, recognized him, dOnbtfully
| at first, but with growing certainty in her
| face she studied his.
He realized with some satisfaction that
| he had the advantage OF her in self-posses-
| sion, since she could have had no thought
of seeing him, while the meeting was to him
| quite within the realm of possibilities when
| he arrived in Maine.
well. Miss Hastings" he began, "this is
indeed an unexpected pleasure. Who could
have thought that yours would be the first
| familiar face ! should see on my return to
the old placer"
As lie spoke he advanced toward her,
holding out his hand. She put hers in 1t,
| saying eomDosedly:
Am indeed the frst2 Your coming is
| unexpected, them"
You dc not say that you are glad to
welcome me back. But l remember that
| you never would be conventional" he said,
| taking a subtle pleasure in the confusion
which he could see shs was trying hard to
| conceal
But those few words, half in mockery,
| half in Challenge. put Leah at her ease.
Looking him directly in the face, she re-
| sponded:
why should we be expected to welcome
| peop-e whom we have long learned to live
| without, and whom we never expected TO
see again? 1t is ike the sudden stopping
/ OF train; it gives you backward jerk
| that isn't altogether agreeable"
True, he answered rather sadly; al
| suppose I've los. all claim TO any ones in
terest down this way. l only hope my
brother won't think SO. too. when / walk in
on him unannounced."
There was moments silence. Mark
looked at the woman before him, noting
the changes in her The beauty of nineteen
had faded, but enough of it vet remained to
make, with the added strength and char
ac;er of later years, face that was attrac-
| tive.
II said, Miss Hastings" began the law
yer again. Was | right or have you laid
aside the old name with other relics of the
past?"
There was the fantest possible flush on
her cheek as she answered:
Il have kept my name with my uncou-
ventionality."
Il had fallen into quite revere as sat
here over old scenes and faces. Do you
recollect the first day taught school here
and " hat a npPk nf tronhla tbnca 4,
headed Briggs children gave me? 1t was a
long struggle, but | subdued them before
the end of the term"
He went on refeetively and in an indlffer-
ent tone, as II he were talking Of some one
else:
There was another pupil, though, who
gave me more trouble than any of them and
whom l never fully conquered. What a
little fiirt You were anyway, Leahp
y gu know never was that" she said,
gravely.
We'll. no. to dosyou justire, you weren't.
| believe you really thought you were in
earnest for a while. Yes. Phi do you the
Justice to think you deceived yourself as
well as me.'
His tone was more serious now, and he
glanced furtively at Leah to see how she
was taking his words but she remained
silent, nor could he read her Thoughts 10 her
face.
Leah" he began abruptly, 81 wish Won
would explain your actioD-there at the last
/ never could see why-and now, after all
these wears. | should just like 10 have il
cleared UT. Won't you listen 10 my side and
tell me yours?'
For few seconds she did not reply, but
stood looking off over the hills, where the
sun was just sinking from sight.
What Is the use? ?" she said al last. ut
Is all over long ago, and we have come to an
age where we can overlook-and forgive
without explanations. We both misunder-
stood and misjudged each other-of that
have long been sure. Let IL rest a. that"
But | cannot be content with that.
thought had put it all out of my life, Leah.
1t mas been a busy life. and | have taken
care that l should have but little time for
thought | schooled myself 10 keep all
thought Of yon from my mind, and for the
mDsf mart | have snpceeded I fhoupht I