The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-06-14
A THRUSH'S SONG
By AexEs T. HOUSTON.

A AIHRUSH'S SONG.
By AGNES 7. HOUSTON.
It was the close of a midsummer after
noon, and there were few travellers on a
country road leading from the drowsy
little town Of Hallowen A winding,
stony road IT vas, but it led over pictur-
esque bridges and clear rivers, through
woods that were dark and cool, and fra
grant with the breath Of pines, out again
past comfortable EIrm-housss, and sud
denly up steep hills from whose tops a
charming landscape was visible.
The air was clear and full ofa certain
bracing quality that makes Maine de-
hghtlul sojourning place in summer.
So at least it seemed to Mark Hough-
ton, as be breathed the air Of his native
State for the frst time in twenty We
years. He had purposely left his com
ing unannOunced that he might enjoy
the luxury Of walk over the old road,
whose every scene had once been 50 IA
miiiar TO him.
Memory plays strange pranks with the
most strait-iaced of Us at times, and as
suredly it was only her magic that made
this New York lawyer enjoy a dusty
country walk for auld lang syne.
A sudden turn and he came upon the
little school house, just where it used to
stand, and but little changed in outward
look by the inevitable wear and tear OF
years.
1T 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. II was
lot locked, and in a moment he stood in
side. Here he SOW numerous changes
that altered the aspect Of the place.
Desks and seats Of a more modern
style replaced the rude benches he re-
memOeTed, and the walls were covered
with blackbo4rds and maps. Walking
over to the teachers chair he sat down
and thoughtfully regarded the little room
which had the desolate look peculiar to
empty school-rooms.
Here he had learned his first lessons
in days that returned to his memory only
in fragments and half-remembered incl
dents. Here, as he grew to be larger
lad, he had wrestled with many a knot
ty" 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 he con-
trasted them with the prosaic, self-cen-
tired life Of his after years.
Then there were the later days when,
as young cOllegian, he came back to
spend his vacation, and taught the little
school himself to help meet expenses at
college. What hu nbrum life 1t was, TO
be sure, sitting there through the long
summer days and hearing tue ruIal lads
and lassies stumble through their lessons
What a stupid lot Of pupils they were
all but one of them.
And here Mark Houghton came chron-
to the thought that had been
running with more or less self assertion
all through mis- 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 try
ing 10 make up during the summer.
But it was not rs his pupil that he re-
membered Leah, it was as the gay and
yet womanly girl, with her
great, serious eyes and frank smile.
a curious mixture she was indeed"
thought the lawyer. "0ur love seems
ike some faraWay dream, some bright
idyl. l wonder, if We had not quarreled,
how she would have changed my life,
with her high ideals and happy nature?'
A slight sound at the open door start
lsd him he turned his head and saw a
woman standing there, half hesitating,
on the Threshold.
Il beg your pardon" she began, Il
thought"-but something familiar in the
mans face stopped her.
AS for him he knew from the first mo-
ment that it was Leah Hastings. With
all the change that time had wrought in
her-and they were not few-he could
not mistake that long remembered face
Ina moment, she, too, recognized him,
doubted fully at firss, but with growing
certainly in her face as she studied him.
He realized with some satisfaction that
he had the advantage of her in self-pos-
session, since she could have had no
thought Of seeing him, while the meet
ing was to him quite within the realm of
possibilities when he arrived in Maine.
"Weli, Miss Hastings" he began, ''this
is indeed an unexpected pleasure. Who
could have thought that yours would be
the irst familiar face should see on my
return 10 the old place ?"
As he spoke he advanced towards her,