Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-31
CHAPTER Y.
CRAIG THoMPSON's WISDOM.

T7RAIG THOMPSON did wish
I'LL to 60. The fact was un
~1 precedented In the experience
A that others had known of
him, but 1t was true. and when at the
close OF the second day they arrived at
the ranch Lisle remembered with sur
prise that he had never known his IA
thpr to be so companionable with
stranger before. but In this case he bad
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 Lisle
would need q friend and that be dis
covered in Thompson the man whom
he would select for that position.
Thompson's ranch adjoined Max
wells. although 30 miles separated the
buildings which the respective owners
called home. In that land Of magnih-
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 q ranch owner
than as q man. but now he volunteered
every outward demonstration that he
desired to create more friendly rela-
tiops with his nearest neighbor.
During the journey to the ranch
Lisle's father permitted it to be under
stood that be 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 beeu left off. and with the
exception of the presence Of guest
and within the memory Of Lisle an in
vited guest had never before been q
part of the housebold-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 uef Crescent and
Cross EeIeFF- permitted anything to in
terfere with the rules Of his daily life.
But the week of Thompson's stay
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 fronterSman loved to sit and smoke
and chat with the kid" interspersing
bis stories aud anecdotes with whole
some advice that was always given In
bis inlmitably blunt and forcible man.
ner. Llsle was often aStonished by the
deep learning of the strange man,
whose customary disregard Of correct
English was at once 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 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 LiSle 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 be heard the pi'
ano
That's right. boy" be called out
T'm 10 just the mood for some music
Couldn't you sing something for a
change"
There was no reply in words. but the
melody changed. and presently a su
perb voice. in tender contralto. floated
out to him. With increasing power II
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 thai
Craig forgot his pipe, forgot Lisie. for
got where be was. forgot everything
except memory that the song con
tured up. His head sank lower ant
lower upon his breast, tears stood II
his eyes and splashed unheeded upor
his tightly clasped hands, and wher
the melody ceased he did not move
Lisle left the piano and went out t
him, but Craig Thompson was no
aware Of his approach until he felt
touch upon his shoulder.
Then he started up with cry as on
who has been rudely awakened from
dream.
"Come here, boy" he said in ton
that shook with emotion. 81 want t
look at you. Who taught you tina
song? Who gave you that voice? Wha
strange mixture are you:"
Craig" said LiSle In surprise. no
needing the questions. what is tn
matter? Are those tears in your eyes
tears because sang to yOu!"
"Yes. they're tears. DO you thin
that Lam ashamed Of them? Men she'
tears only when they are necessary t
keep the heart from bursting. Min
burst long ago. but somehow got
together again, and maybe the cemen
used wears little with time. Any
how, that song of yours opened scal
or two in the old wound. That SON.
brings back memories. and mcmorie
are p'izin things to have around if the