Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-03-05

Leod was equal to the moment, for as
Graeme called out, Hello, Dunc!' 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
chapv 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, flnginS me Jhe lines. he was out
over the wheel, for coming down the
walk, with her hands lifted high, was
dainty little lady. with the face of
an angel. In moment Graeme had
her in his arms. heard the faint cry,
My boy, my boy." 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.
Graeme's 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 .gain to my horses heads.
There's Conner, mothern 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 l could get away before
l should make quite a fool of myself,
for as l 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, l 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 l not thought
of that before? Thankfully now my
words came:
"Yes, certainly, I'll find him, Mrs.
Graeme l suppose he's as much of
scapegrace as ever" And off l 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 | found out later, had not lived
these years in his mothers home for
nothing.
''Oh, Jacks a 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 We're 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 margoId
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 heayen-art, football, theology.
The mother would lead in ALL How
quick she was, how bright her fancy,
how subtle her intellect, and through
all gentle grace, very winning and
beautiful to see!
Do what l would, Graeme would
talk little Of the mountains and his
life there.
"My lion will not roar, Mrs. Graeme,"
1 complained. ''He simply will not"
"You should twist his tail' said
Jack.
''That seems to be the difficulty,
Jack" said his mother, "to get hold of
his tale.'
ooh, MOTHER" groaned Jack, ''you
never did such thing before How
could you? Is it this baleful western
infuencey
81 shall reform, Jack" she replied
brightly.
But, seriously, Graeme," l remon-
strated, you ought to tell your people
of your life, that free. glorious life in
| the mountains"
Free! Glorious! To some men per-
haps" said Graeme and then fell into
| silence.
But l saw Graeme as new man the
night he talked theology with his
father. The old minister was splen-
did Calvinist, of heroic type, and as he
discoursed of Gods sovereignty and
election his face glowed and his voice
rang out.
Greene listened intently, now and
| then nnttinp In a n1pStjnn