Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-11-13

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, a question forgotten by the aderist,
almost as soon as askedi "St. Johns
at Easter!" How well she remem-
bered that day long ago, when in ali
the flush of warm young love she had
walked to church with john Gray, her
chosen n out of all the world! What
a noble man he had seemed, so tall
and protecting-so handsome and ten
der, and how 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 o. joyous,
sincere paeans arise than from that
of Ellice Triffet.
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 TO breathe of
love. There, under the stars, they had
sat, and she had listened with shining
eyes while John had sung to her the
songs of love he had learned in foreign
chimes, 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 aw~kwardness; 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 then had 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 when the news
came that John Gray had been killed
in a 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 OF the business
world as her salvation.
The spell was strong upon her to-
night, and underneath all her refec.
ton, was running the strain of the
little Spanish ditty learned so long ago,
and fraught with such precious recol-
lections. Never since that night, so
many years back, had she touched the
guitar, but tonight she was irresist-
IDLY impelled to take it out and handle
it once more. Poor thing! A sad
looking object it was! The pearl set
tings %loosened, a long crack across It's
face! AS she lifted 1t tenderly from
its case, her hands accidentally swept
across the tuneless strings and brought
forth a wall that made Miss Triffet
SILVER.
Nothing but the ghost of lost happi-
ness could have evoked such a wall
as that" she said, half aloud, while a
sharp, sobbing sigh caught her throat.
Reverently she stopped and kissed the
poor old thing, and then seating her
self, laid it softly across her lap. With
her handkerchief she d~elicately wiped
the dust away n then mechanically
began to tune the strings. The spell
was on her, and in a moment she mad
struck into the old Spanish ditty, so
dear in the past. Over and Owe
again she sang the little song. her
voice gaining confidence at each repe-
tition, until it swellei forth with al
most its old-time beauty and fitness.
So absorbed was she that the person
ON the other side of the door was
obliged to knock loudly three times
before the sound was carried to Miss
Triffet's inner consciousness.
please, Miss Triffet,' said the land
lady, when she finally gained a hear
ing, "the gentleman on the floor above
(the cripple l told you about), has
asked mo who it was singing down
here. l told him 1 didn't know. but as
it's you, miss, | thought maybe you
wouldn't mind coming up and singing
for him, just once
"Oh, Mrs. Mulligani" exclaimed
Miss Triffet, Il couldn't; 1 never sing
for anybody. l haven't sang for
years." She flushed painfully at the
idea.
Indeed, miss. I wouldn'task you. but
being a Cripple, an all, and he seems
awful low, like, this evening. Indeed,
miss" she added in a Whisper, Il be-
lieve on my heart, he's been crying
Miss Triffet's tender heart was
touched. What did it matter? A sac
riice more or less, for suffering hui
manity! Why not this kind as well
as another? So flushed and trembling
with excitement, she ascended the
stairs to the auditor.
I'm sorry, but | only know a few
little things" she began, as she en-
tered. only a little song or two; but
if they give you pleasure l shall be
very glad
AS her auditor turned his face to the
light EHice. Triffet beheid-John Gray.
AeOh, Ellice! Ellice!" ne cried. For
give me for sending for you. MY heart
cried out for you SO, | could not help
it, dear, | could not help it, 1t has
been SO hard all these years.. but /
would not come into your bright young
life, / a wretched cripple, dependent
upon the bounty of my friends. For
give me, dear, forgive mel / knew
Q thought | was dead, and it was
better so-but, oh, my darling. how
hungry my heart has been for you.
During these impetuous words Miss.
Triffet had stood as il frozen to the
floor.
"Oh, joint" she walled, as with a
swift motion she wnnf RI the hoa o,d