News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-07-24

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 a ranch owner
than as a man. but now he volunteered
every outward demonstration that he
desired to create more friendly rela-
tons with his nearest neighbor.
During the journey to the ranch
Isles father permitted it to be UNDER
stood that he preferred that no refer
ence should be made to the lasso duel.
He seemed to have blotted it out of his
memory as utterly as though it had not
! occurred
At home the old life was taken up
where 1t had been left off, and with the
| exception of the presence of a guest
and within the memory of Lisle an in
vited guest had never before been a
part of the household-it was-the same
as it had always been. Studies were
resumed at the point where they had
been abandoned, occupations recon-
menced where they had broken off, 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
IN Tho IF
came to an end, and Lisle was surpris-
ed when he remembered that during
the entire time he 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. Lisle 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 a fund of ten
derness and sympathy most profound.
He was like 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
ment unless to 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, lolling back in one Of the COM
Portable chairs, when he heard the pi-
Rno.
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 SUI
perb voice. in tender contralto. fioated
out to him. With increasing power it
swelled into the pathetic air of Ash
er's Alice" until the clear high notes
swept out across the starlit plain Sc
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-
| jured up. His head sank lower AMI
lower upon his breast, tears stood in
his eyes and splashed unheeded upon
his tightly clasped hands, and When
the melody ceased be did not move
Isle left the piano and went ont to
oim 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 rudely awakened from a
| dream.
Come here, boy" he said in tone
that shook with emotion. Il want to
look at you. Who Ss.lght 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 ii
together again, and maybe the cement
| used wears a little with time. Any
how, that song of yours opened a seam
or two in the old wound That song
brings back memories, and memories
are pizin things to have around if they
amt just the sort that Teller wants
Who taught you that song?"
Nobody. l learned it myself. II
came with some music that father or.
dered years ago. He does not like it.
| never sing it to him. have not sung
it before in long time. ! do not know
why | thought of it tonight"
Il do. 1t was just my heart speaking
to yours, Lisle VIII you be offended
boy, if l tell you that you have got q
voice like a woman's-just like the
voice of woman whom | used to
know, the sweetest and best woman
who ever lived? She was my sister
Lisle, and she used to sing that song
to me. ] liked it because her name
was Alice, like the song. It's a good
many years since | saw her, Lisle, and
| 1an'f know xvhatbor oh to oIfva ar