The Mena weekly star., 1897-07-28

Down her cheeks the tears were now trickling slowly, but Peters strong arm was about her. and he drew her head down to his shoulder.
 An when he fell i'll that first spring time. how we watched, an we hoped an we prayed for him; an he battled way back, just shadow an laughed hisself into all hearts. An can mind that when night came, for many an many year after, you would start from your sleep with cry an wonder if all was well. An then l would creep to his bedside. an shadin' the light would look down 'pon his face. all lyn' so quiet an so rosy; an would bring back the word, just to soothe you: Iris right, he's sleepin' we'll
 Against his own heart he could now feel her sobs; on his hand he could feel hot tears falling; but this weight at the heart was easier to bear, and the tears made the handclasp firmer
 And the stars shone out, and the moon rose high, and no more words were spoken. The scent of the clover, all heavy with dew, was sweet on the cool night breezes. From the farm be- low cheery lights shot forth and then g!eamed bright and steady; and the slow rub of chain from the cow house now and again broke the still ness. Time was unheeded by the mourners now; it was good to rest just rest and be silent.
 By and by her sobs were spent, but she did not raise her head from his shoulder; for week she had held it high ard stern, and now ii was raising to bend it. So he drew her shawl closer about her; he stroked her heavy, loosened hair and gently fingered the soft curls which strayed about her ear. And a great tiredness that was even peace fell upon her heart; and after awhile she slept.
 Peter Penruddock's mouth had been shaped by cheerful words, and now he further strengthening of the upward curves, for his cheerful words were still needed. The world did not die with the death of son. and live worlds seldom love innovation.
 So Peter sat with his face to the stars. and schooled his tongue to the shape of comfort. And the great moon was so placid the stars were so radiant, the gray sky stretched so vast, and life shrank so belittled that it did not seem hard to smile over earth's pains, and think of the childless years as but mo- Inents. But when at length he turned his eyes downwards, and faced the still spot lying steeped in the valley below, for awhile his heart fainted with the force of his anguish which fought with the power of his peace.
 Then up through the still air came the chime of the tall clock striking it's hour in the stone hall below. and Il entered the dreams of the sleeping mother and warned her back to the world; and suddenly she uttered warning cry, and raised her head and opened her eyes.
 l. was the cry he knew so we'll, and his heart went out to meet it.
 And then she looked with those wide. hungry eyes, before her through the moonlight, and remembered, and real ized, and made little moan so young and childish that the tears pricked in his eyes. But fallen tear is ever a confession. and he pressed these back with his eyelids; and gently he an- swered her cry with the old. oft-used, soothing worlds
 'ris all right. wife, he's sleepin' we'll"
 And then he turned his face from the narrow bed at the foot of the quiet val ley and led her tenderly down through the field-path and into the old gray