Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-08-10
CHAPTER V.
CRAIG THoMPsoN's WISDOM.


lSTE75 precedented in the experience
lS&A4j that others had known of
him, but it was true. and when at the
close of the second day they arrived at
the ranch Isle remembered with sur-
prise that he had never known his ia
iher to be so companionable with a
stranger before, but in this case he had
appeared to find much that was con-
genial in their tastes. 1t Is possible
that his own intense love for Lisle per-
mitted him more readily to appreciate
the good qualities of another who also
loved him. 1t may be that he intui-
lively foreSaw the time when Isle
would need friend and that be dis
covered in Thompson the man whom
ne would select for that position.
lhompSon'S ranch adjoined Max
wells, although 80 miles separated the
buildings which the respective owners
called home. In that land of magnifi-
cent distances such an interval of
space was trivial. but Richard Max
well had always isolated himself from
his neighborS in way that utterly re-
pulsed friendly advances. so that he
was known more as ranch owner
than as man. but now he volunteered
every outward demonstration that he
desired 10 create more friendly rela-
tons with his nearest neighbor.
During the Journey to the ranch
Lisle's father permitted it to bc under
stood that he preferred that no refer
ence should be made to the lasso duel.
he seemed to have blotted 1t out of his
memory as utterly as though it had not
occurred.
At home the old life was taken I'D
where it had been left off. and with the
exception of the presence of a guest
and within the memory of Llsle an in
vited guest had never before been n
part of the household-it was the same
as 1t had always been. Studies were
resumed at the point where they had
been abandoned, occupations recon-
menced where they had broken of. and
everything resumed its accustomed
routine, for the master of Crescent and
Cross never permitted anything TO in
terfere with the rules OF his daily life.
Hut the week OF Thompson's STAY
came to an end, and Isle was surpris-
ed when he remembered that during
the entire time be had rarely been
alone with their guest--never, in fact.
except at such times as they passed
upon the broad veranda, where the
old frontiersman loved to sit and smoke
and chat with the kid" interspersing
his stories and anecdotes with whole
some advice that was always given In
his inimitably blunt and forcible man.
ner. Isle was often astonished by the
deep learning OF the strange man,
whose customary disregard Of correct
English was at once a mixture of as
sumption and careleSsness. The youths
Intuition revealed to him that behind
and beneath the rough exterior of his
new friend there existed fund Of ten
derness and sympathy most profound.
He was Ike q lump OF rich quartz
the Intrinsic value was all there in
cased within the toughest and hardest
Of substances.
On the other hand Craig also met
with surprises which puzzled him
greatly, although he made no COM
nent unless TO I.isle in person. One
Of them came during an evening when
Richard Maxwell was not present.
Craig was smoking his pipe on the We
randa, loping back in one OF the COM
Portable chairs when he heard the pi-
ano.
That's right. boy" he called out.
I'm In just the mood for some music.
Couldn't you sing something for a
changer"
There was no reply In words but the
melody changed. and presently a SUI
perb voice, in tender contralto. foated
out TO him. With increasing power il
swelled into the pathetic air OF Ash
er's Alice" until the clear high notes
swept out across the starlit plain so
sweetly, so purely. so longingly that
Craig forgot his pipe. forgot Lisle. for
got where he was. forgot everything
except memory that the song con-
tured up. His head sank lower and
lower upon his breast, tears stood in
his eyes and SplaShed UNDECIDED upon
his tightly claSped hands. and when
the melody ceased be did not move.
Lsle left the piano and went out to
him, but Craig Thompson was not
, aware OF his approach until he felt a
touch upon his shoulder.
then he started up with cry as one
who has been rudeIy awakened from a
dream.
Come here, boy" he said In q tone
that shook with emotion. ct want to
look at you. Who taught you that
song? Who gave you that voice? What
strange mixture are your"
Craig" said Isle in surprise, not
needing the questions, what is the
matter? Are those tears In your eyes
tears because l sang to your
Yes, they're tears. Do you think
that am ashamed of them? Men shed
tears only when they are necessary to
keep the heart from bursting. Mine
burst long ago, but somehow l got IL
together again, and maybe the cement
i used wears little with time. Any
Apow, that song Of yours opened a seam
n two in the old wound. That song
- ings back memories. and memories
Re p'izin things to have around If they
ut Just the sort that Teller wants.
no taught Won that SOnO9"