Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-06-23

stood. Graeme was greatly touched
at his enthusiastic welcome by the
men. At the supper table he made a
little speech of thanks for their faith
fulness during his absence, specially
commencing the care and efficiency
of Mr.. Nelson, who had had charge of
the camp. The men cheered wildly,
Baptiste's shrill voice leading all. Mel
son, being called upon, expressed in
few words his pleasure at seeing the
boss back and thanked the men for
their support while he had been in
charge.
The men were for making a night
of it; but fearing the effect upon
Graeme, 1 spoke to Nelson, who pass
ed the word, and in a short time
the camp was quiet. AS we saun-
tered from the grub camp to the Office,
where was our bed, we paused to take
in the leauty of the night. The moon
rode high over the peaks of the noun
tains, flooding the narrow valley with
mellow light. Under her magic the
rugged peaks softened their harsh lines
and seemed to lean lovingly toward us.
The dark pine masses stood silent, as
in breathless alteration. The dazzling
snow lay like a garment over all the
open spaces in soft, waving folds and
crowded every stump with quantity
shaped nightcap. Above the camps the
smoke curled up from the campfres,
standing like pillars of cloud that kept
watch while men slept, and high over
all the deep blue night sky, with its
star jewels, sprang like the roof of
great cathedral from range to range,
covering us in it's kindly shelter. How
homelike and safe seemed the valley,
with it's mountain sides, it's sentinel
trees and arching roof of jeweled sky!
Even the night seemed kindly, and
friendly the stars, and the lone cry Of
the wolf from the deep forest seemed
like the voice of comrade.
"How beautiful! Too beautiful said
Graeme, stretching out his arms. "A
night like this takes the heart out of
me-"
stood silent, drinking in at every
sense the night, with it's wealth of
loneliness.
what is it I want?" he went on.
''Why does the night make my heart
ache? There are things to see and
things to hear just beyond me. l can
not get to them"
The gay, careless look was gone from
his face. His dark eyes were wistful
with yearning.
81 often wonder if life has nothing
better for me-" he continued with his
heartache voice.
l said no word but put my arm with
in his. A light appeared in the stable
Glad of a diversion, l said:
"What is the light? Let us go ant
see"
SANDY, taking last look at hi:
team, like enough"
We walked slowly toward the stable
speaking no word. AS we neared thu
door we heard the sound of a voice il
the monotone of one reading. | stepped
forward and looked through a chink be
tween the logs. Graeme was about t.
open the door, but l held up my hanC
and beckoned him to me. In q vacan
stall, where was a pile of straw,
number of men were grouped. Sandy
leaning against the tying post, upol
which the stable lantern hung, wa
reading; Nelson was kneeling in from
of him and gazing into the gloom be
You'd; Baptiste lay upon his stomach
his chin in his hands and his upturne
eyes fastened upon Sandy's face
Lachlan Campbell sat with his hand
clasped about his knees, and two othe
men sat near him. Sandy was readin
the undying story of the prodigal, Ne
son now and then stopping him
make q remark. 1t was scene | hav
never been able to forget Today
pause in my tale and see it as clearl
as when l looked through the chin
upon it years ago-the long, low stable
with log walls and upright hitchin
poles; the dim outlines of the horses
the gloom of the background and til
little group of rough, almost savag
looking, men, with faces wonderin
and reverent, lighted by the misty ligl
of the stable lantern.
After the reading Sandy handed IL
book to Nelson, who put it in his poe
ct, saying:
THAT'S for us, boys, amt itT'
"Aye," said Lachlan. ut is ofte
that has been read in my hearing, br
lam afraid it will not be for me wha
ever" And he swayed himself slight
as he spoke, and his voice was full
pain.
"The minister said l might come
said old Nelson earnestly and hop
fully.
AYE, but you are not Lachlan Cam
bell, and you have not had his priv
leges. My father was a godly elder
the Free Church of Scotland. and ne
er night or morning but we took Z
books"
eyes, but he said any man." pr
sisted Nelson, putting his hand
Lachlan's knee, but Lachlan shook
head.
"Dat young feller." said Baptiste
Uvrbo,s hopS nom help?