Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-08-11

establishment at the sight Of Graeme
whirling on in his old time, well known
reckless manner. Only old Dune Nc
Leod was equal to the moment, for as
Graeme called out, "Hello, Duncw the
old man lifted up his hands and called
back in an awed voice:
"Bless my soul! Is it yourself"
Stands his whisky well, poor old
chapr was Graeme's comment.
AS we neared the church he pulled
up his team, and we went quietly past
the sleepers there, then again on the
full run down the gentle slope, over
the little brook and up to the gate. He
had hardly got his team pulled up be-
fore, flinging me the lines, he was out
over the wheel, for coming down the
walk, with her hands lifted high, was
a dainty little lady, with the face Of
an angel. In a moment Graeme had
her in his arms. heard the faint cry,
"My boy. my boyw and got down on
the other side to attend to my off
horse, surprised to find my hands trem-
bling and my eyes full of tears. Back
upon the steps stood an old gentleman,
with white hair and flowing beard,
handsome, straight and stately,
Graemes father, waiting his turn.
"Welcome home, my lad!" was his
greeting as he kissed his son, and the
tremor Of his voice and the sight Of the
two men kissing each other, like wom-
en-, sent me again to my horses heads.
There's Conner, motherw shouted
out Graeme, and the dainty little lady,
in her black silk and white lace, came
out to me quickly, with outstretched
hands.
"You, too, are welcome home" she
said and kissed me.
stood with my hat off, saying some
thing about being glad to come, but
wishing that I could get away before
1 should make quite fool of myself,
for as looked down upon that beauti-
full face, pale, except for faint flush
upon each faded cheek, and read the
story of pain endured and conquered,
and as thought Of all the long years
of waiting and of vain hoping, found
my throat dry and sore, and the words
would not come. But her quick sense
needed no words, and she came to my
help.
"You will find Jack at the stable"
she said, smiling. "He ought to have
been here"
The stable! Why had 1 not thought
Of that before? Thankfully now my
words came:
eyes, certainly, I'll find him, Mrs.
Graeme. l suppose he's as much Of a
scapegrace as ever" And off 1 went
to look up Graeme's young brother,
who had given every promise in the
old days Of developing into as stirring
rascal as one could desire, but who,
as 1 found out later, had not lived
these years in his mothers home for
nothing.
"Oh, Jacks good boy!" she an
swered, smiling again, as she turned
toward the other two, now waiting for
her upon the walk.
The week that followed was happy
one for us all, but for the mother it
was full to the brim with joy. Her
sweet face was full Of content, and in
her eyes rested a great peace. Our
| days were spent driving about among
the hills or strolling through the ma
pie woods or down into the tamarack
swamp, where the pitcher plants and
the swamp lilies and the marigold
waved above the deep moss. In the
evenings we sat under the trees on the
lawn till the stars came out and the
night dews drove us in. Like two low
ers, Graeme and his mother would
wander off together, leaving Jack and
me to each other. Jack was reading
for divinity and was really a fine, man
ly fellow, with all his brothers turn
for Rugby, and took to him amazing
ly, but after the day was over we
would gather about the supper table
and the talk would be of all things
under heaven-art, football, theology
The mother would lead in all. How
quick she was, how bright her fancy
how subtle her intellect, and through
all a gentle grace, very winning an(
beautiful to see!
Do what 1 would, Graeme would
talk little of the mountains and hi
life there.
"My lion will not roar, Mrs. Graeme,
complained. "He simply will not"
"You should twist his TAIL" sale
Jack.
'That seems to be the difficulty
jack" said his mother, Ito get hold o
his tale"
"Oh, mother" groaned Jack, "yo1
never did such thing before! How
could you? Is it this baleful western
infuenceW
81 shall reform, Jack" she reptile
brightly.
"But, seriously, Graeme," 1 remor
strated, you ought to tell your peopl
of your life, that free, glorious life
the mountains"
Nree! Glorious! To some men pc
hapsw said Graeme and then fell int
silence.
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