The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-07-04


yond the stately elms which had stood so
long before the old-fashioned house, his
thoughts went back to the days when, as a
boy, be played there and life was full Of
careless glee.
The paper, blown by little skit Of wind,
Iippled from his thin hands and fell at his
feet. He did not stoop to pick it up, but
let it lie wnere it had nuttered. Presently
from the village just beyond the hills came
the echoes OF a lannon's boom and his face
FOR a moment lighted up as he remember ed
that it was the nations holiday, and he
thought of the Fourths the years had carried
out to sea.
The door behind him opened so softly that
he did not hear it, nor the footsteps which
came, gazelle-like, to his chair. When he
looked up it was to gaze into the face of
fair girl whose hand had fallen lightly upon
his sleeve.
'You remember you asked about Tracy
ycsterday!" said the young maid.
"Oh, yes-Tracy Wordsworth" said the
captain. 81 had forgotten-almost."
Did the young girl believe the captain,
She seemed to smile and for a moment her
gaze wandered from him.
81 have just found one of her letters-one
she wrote me last winter"
"Ah"
'The last one I got from her, believe.
She mentions you in it,"
The captain grew interested.
Il went to Manila last summer, you
know, Harriet Tracy! All, yes, knew
her when / came back from school, but the
family moved away shortly after that
and"
The captains companion was opening a
letter with her dainty fingers and, strange
to say, he was watching her.
Tracy thought she might come back this
summer" continued the girl. "She had
heard somehow that you were away and
wished you a safe return"
That's clever. ] thought she had for
gotten me-"
"Not quite. as it seems. She never quite
forgets her friends, but"
The captain waited for the completion Of
the sentence, but it was not finished.
You are not going over to Hampton to-
day. ] believer" suddenly asked Harriet.
81 believe will. It is the Fourth. you
know, and half promised jackson that I
would help him celebrate it in cd style"
eff yon keep out of the sun you viii get
along. I'm doctor now, you see," and the
speaker laughed. 81 will order out the car
riage while you make your toilet" and the
fair face vanished and the captain was alone
again.
That was queer" he said to himself. as
he kicked the newspaper away from his feet
Il was thinking about Tracy myself and
here Harriet recalls her in her cheerful,
reminiscent way. It's not the first time I've
thought of her lately, but pshaw! that all.
He rose and entered the house, to reap
pear on the porch few minutes later in uni.
form, ready for the ride over the hills
Tracy came out just as the carriage was
brought round and the two cousins seated
themselves in it while John took up the
/ lines.
/ The noise of the celebrants now came over
( the hills with more distinctness, and the
captain laughingly said that it reminded him
just triAe Of military life. The ride was
| pleasant, because both were chatty, and pres
emily the carriage pulled into the loEg main
/ street of the western village. The elderly
| POLE" soon to be raised with appropriate
ceremonies, lay on the ground receiving the
| finishing touches, and the captain was warm
| ly greeted by old friends the moment he
was seen.
1--WE expect short address from one Of
the victors of Manila" playfully said Jack
son. 81 was bold enough to give the commit
tee an affirmative response for you, and
| why. never made speech in my life, ,
broke in Capt. Chevers. Look here, Jack
son; this will never do"
"But, hang it all you can't well decline
See what mess il would get me into.