Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-04-19

FcpOsc.
THY fair body, oh, my girl,
Shall Bonaparte possess;
His fingers in thy moneybags,
lie therein, too. shall mess"
Having given utterance to this flood
OF poesy, he sat lost In joyous re1ec-
tion.
"Ie therein, too, shall mess" he re-
peated meditatively.
AT this instant, as Bonaparte sworc
and swore truly to the end Of his life,
n slow and distinct rap was given on
the crown Of his bald head.
Bonaparte started and looked up No
rein" or strap hung down from the
rafters above, and not a human crea-
ture was near the door. 1t was grow
ing dark He did not like It, He be-
gan to fold up the papers expeditions
ly. He stretched out his hand for the
ring. The ring was gone-gone, al
though no human creature had entered
the room; gone, although no form had
crossed the doorway. Gone!
He would cot sleep there. that was
certain.
He stuffed the papers into his pocket.
AS he did so three slow and distinct
taps were given on the crown Of his
head. Bonaparte's jaw fell Each
joint lost its power. He could not
move; he dared not rise. His tongue
lay loose in his mouth
Take all, take allr' he gurgled in
his throat. Il do not want them.
Take
Here a resolute tug at the gray curls
at the back Of his head caused him to
leap up, yelling wildly. Was he to sit
stlll paralyzed, to be dragged away
bodily to the devil? With terrific
shrieks he fed, casting no glance be-
hind.
When the dew was falling and the
evening was dark. small figure
moved toward the gate OF the farthest
ostrich camp, driving n bird before it.
When the gate was opened and the
bird driven In and the gate fastened, 1t
turned away, but then suddenly paus-
ed near the stone wall
'Is that you, WaldoT" said Lyndall,
hearing n sound.
The boy was sitting on the damp
ground. with his back to the wall He
gave her no answer.
Come" she said, bending over him.
81 have been looking for you all day"
He mumblcd something.
you have had nothing to eat.
have put some supper in your room.
You must come home with me, Wal
do"
She took his hand, and the boy rose
slowly.
She made him take her arm and
twisted her small fingers among his.
"You must forget" she whispered
"Since 1t happened | walk, talk, /
never SIT stlll. II we remember. we
cannot bring back the dead" She
knit her little fingers closer among his.
Forgetting Is the best thing. He did
not watch It coming" she whispered
presently. "That Is the dreadful thing
to see It comingW She shuddercd
81 want It TO come 50 to me too. Why
do you think | was driving that bIrdT
she added quickly. "That was Hans,
the bird that hates Bonapartc | let
him out this afternoon. | thought he
would chase him and perhaps XIII
him"
The boy showed no sign Of interest.
"Ilc did not catch him, but he put
his head over the half door OF your
cabin and frightened him horribly. He !
was there, busy stealing your things. |
Perhaps he will leave them alone now, |
but | wish the bird had troddcn on |
him"
They said no more til they reached |
the door OF the cabin.
"There is a candle, and supper Is on |
the table. You must eat" she said |
authoritatlvcly. 81 cannot stay with |
you now lest they find out about the |
bird"
lie graspcd her arm and brought his |
mouth close TO her ear.
"Ihere Is no Cod" he almost hissed, |
mo God, not anywherew
She started.
Not anywhcrc~
lie ground Il out between his teeth, |
and she felt his hot breath on her
cheek.
"Waldo, you are mad" she said. !
drawing herself from him instlnctivcly. |
lie looscncd his grasp and turned |
away from her also.
In truth, Is II not llfe'g wayf We |
fight our little battles alone, you yours,
! mine We must not help or find help. |
When your life IS most real TO me
you are mad. When your agony Is
blacscst. look Mt you and wonder
Is good, strong stick, but
when the hour comes TO lean hard 1t
gives. In the day OF their bitterest
need all souls are alone.
Lyndall stood by him In the dirk.
pitylngly, wouderingly As hc walked
to the door she came after him.
Eat your supper. II VIII do you
good" she said.
She rubbed her cheek against his
and then ran away.