The Cairo bulletin., 1904-08-05

"A LII Jay ionS lHS "iAih n'>H
IN blowing hard enough to raise
"a freckles on an Indian. The
aikali laden sand scurried
over the desert, binding us and our
PONIES ana enveloping old LANDMARKS
in a cloud Toward shutdown 1t eased
up d little, and when we had finished
our dry tea only an occasional pun
came TO remind us Of the days dis
comfort.
When lu.l came in the conversation
l urose ana sauntered beyond earshot
If the camp Juan, the Mexican,
seemed 10 have been waiting for
break In the circle and started in the
opposite direction. CHANGING over my
shoulder saw Metcalf Standing alone,
throwing an arnful of brush on the
fretfnl IRE. Macpherson and Williams,
being old clonies and bit exclusive IL
Their tlpple when towns were far
apart. had gone off. thought, to fla
fsh the Isandsburg bottle.
was diinly conscious Of something
strange about the whole proceeding.
On the desert men never wander away
from camp, especially when q stranger
is left on guard. This Metcalf-befe
anything that WAS din and uncertain
in my consciousness gave way to
clearly defined imagc-fhis Metcalf had
been picked up at the Needles, and, IN
the prospectors' way we asked no
questions. None Of US knew him. Sup
pose. thought. he should put bis heel
on that dancing bit Of flame! Sup
pose he should pack everything of val
no on the ponies and make bee line
fer ciyili2ationf
| hesitated between two impulses.
The camp needed me. but since early
morning had waited inpatiently for
this hour. | wanted TO be alone. !
wanted TO sing.
Something other than the sense per
suaded me tie music breaking for ut
teranee was Of high order Having
only an Indifferent memory for sweet
sound. and, | must confess, taste
that might be termed popular, l was
carried OF my feet az much by the
recognition OF its merit as by lis con
tinual recurrence But, strange az II
might seem, despite the continual re-
carrcnce when | was surrounded by
distractions, at the very moment had
m opportunity TO do more than listen
In dumb ecstasy, Try as might could
not recall single note. Laying the
blame on my anxiety over the possible
loss of our traps, | allowed the other
impulse to Get the upper hand and re-
turned to camp.
Metcalf was lying on his back, smok-
ing. There was no greeting. He did
not even turn his head. About his IN
difference, which was extraordinary, /
cared nothing, FOR just as got within
sig feet OF him the tantalizing air
came again full born into my brain.
/ wondered ut my grasp or such q
masterpiece Ny conception was COM
plete to the final note, and. though /
had never taken lesson In music,
knew felt. rather-whercin 1t CONFORM
ed to the highest standards of the arr
followed the huteiike tones that
were ringing in my ear. anu nnaily
ol,eylns something stronger than my
will threw back my bead and
shaping MY mouth as | had seen tho
fellows OF the glee club at the universl-
ty shape theirs. sang.
AIetcalf's grooming brought me 10 Il
realization OF the absurd figure l cut
standing In the center of the camp
beating time with a wisp of sage ard
singing 10 the moon as though my lie
depended On II. Hastily throwing
scre scrub on the FIRE. ! set off with
the determination OF reaching the hnal
cadence without interruption II Walk
ed TO the other side OF me desert.
When beyond MetcnGs hearing !
stoaped and gathered myself tegether.
The discovery of a talent IS something
20 bewen considered. rcrlal's ny al. >
ity as a composer would rank me above
mcdioerly. 1t woald lie IMPOSSIBLE 10
conceive Of one musical theme exhaust
ing my originality; rather might IT DC
expected TO aid development in that d.
rection.
Throwing back my bead | formed my
Fps &c sing and MOI note came forth.
an my mental tuTnings and twistiag'
were CT no avail: not a suggestion OF
tie melody that was TO open UP no
bic career for ne cane TO the fore
gr5rnd OF consciousness. Ny castles
weEe ruins.
The reaction caused by my faiir-e
brought a feeling akin 10 disGast
waiting. dsill and inert. rot caring u
the elusive air ever returned. my eaI
caught The faint echo Of whistling OF
to tie tight. ! went ia tie direction Of
II. ASH drew rear enough TO distin
Cussh between TIE sounds there seemed
a strange familiarity ia them. Z!
stretching the Imagination q rcser'
b.ance 80 my own elusive air could b
discovered.
Forgetting tie Indifference Of a mo
mszlt ago. grew furious. Here was
some scoundrel who had evidently
heard me praeticing near tie Gre try
ing to steal tie pr0dHct Of my genius
Drawing near. vas about to tax bin
with his dishonesty VIXEN be- STOPPED
er5. stretching his arms above III