The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-10-28
THE OLD GUITAR.
BY EMMA cHURCHMAN HEWITT.


well suited TO each other. The year
before Jetty had had some terrible af-
fection of the ear, and instead of chlor-
oforming him and putting him out OF
his misery" as the landlady advised,
Miss Triffet, in place OF going away
as she had intended, spent her whole
two weeks vacation in attending to
the sufferer and bringing him success
fully through the trying time. Since
then his head had always been turned
on one side. These two dumb but in
telligent animals, formed a very large
element in this lonely woman's happi-
ness. Many a confidence did she re-
pose in their silent breasts, and many
a one-sided conversation did she hold.
Tonight, however, she had no words
for them. Herself alone, and the past,
occupied her thoughts.
We'll, pussies," she said at last,
rousing herself with a shake, and
dropping them gently on the floor, this
won't do; pussies must have their
suppers, no matter what happens,
mustn't they?" A purr and a noise
which she chose to interpret as as
sent, was their reply, as they rubbed
themselves slowly back and forth
against her skirt. Each having de-
voured his saucer of warm milk, which
was their evening meal, they stretched
themselves out behind the Lady
Franklin again and went TO sleep, all
interest in Miss Triffet's movements
having entirely vanished for the time
being
Back and forth she went with lag
ging steps, preparing her own light
supper and washing her solitary tea
cup, saucer and plate.
All done, and her arrangement for
the evening completed, she sat down
and gave herself up to reflection.
What a host of memories had the
idle question of Millie Wendall called
up, question forgotten by the querist,
almost as soon as asked! "St. Johns
at Easteri" How well she remem-
bered that day long ago, when in all
the flush Of warm young love she had
walked to church with John Gray, her
| chosen one out of all the world, What
a
and protecting-so handsome and ten
der, and now happy she had been! AS
she listened to the service every word
seemed addressed to her personally,
and Of all the people in that congre-
cation, from no heart did more joyous,
sincere paeans arise than from that
Of Ellice Trlnet.
Then had followed all those beauti-
full spring and summer months, that
passed almost like a dream, when all
the world seemed made for happiness,
and the air itself seemed 10 breathe Of
love. There, under the stars, they had
sat, and she had listened with shining
eyes while John had sung to her rne
songs of love he had learned in foreign
climes, accompanying himself with a
soft strumming upon the guitar. How
well she remembered the lessons he
had given; what amusement they had
had over her awkwardness; the mo-
ment of triumph when she could really
sing the pretty little Spanish ditty all
through, and accompany herself, with
out a mistake, How ne had praised
her and theHhad laughingly crowned
her with a wreath OF woodbine that
grew overhead
Then had come that awful time, that
even now, after an interval of ten
years she could not think of without
paling to the lip, and growing sick and
faint-the awful time wnen the news
came that John Gray had been killed
in railway accident and so horribly
mangled that his dearest friend would
not know him! So stunned was she
by the blow, that when a few weeks
later the crash came, and her father
died of despair, she hailed her changed
fortunes with pleasure, and threw her.
self into the work or the business
world as her salvation.
The spell was strong upon her to
night, and underneath all her reflec
tion, was running the strain of the
little Spanish ditty learned SO long ago
and fraught with such precious recol
lections, Never since that night, sc
many years back, had she touched the
guitar, but tonight she was irreslst
IDLY impelled to take 1t cut and handle
II once more. Poor thing! A sac
looking object it was! The pearl set
tings loosened, long crack across III
! face! AS she lifted it tenderly from
its case, her hands accidentally swepr
across the tuneless strings and brought
! forth q wall that made Miss Triffe
shiver
Nothing but the ghost of lost happi
ness could have evoked such a wal
as that" she said, half aloud, while ,
! sharp, sobbing sigh caught her throat
Reverently she stopped and kissed tn,
: poor old thing. and then seating her
| self, laid 1t softly across her lap. Witt
/ her handkerchief she delicately wipe,
J the dust away and then mechanical,
began to tune the strings The spell
: was on her, and in moment she na,
struck into the old Spanish ditty, s,
: dear In the past. Over and owe
! again she sang the little song. ne
voAco gaining confidence at each reps