The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1904-01-01
ana Rispeth-for the summons Which

good-bys. whore music knows no minor.
and hearts forget how to ache.
The first stroke OF midnight sounded
and IN instant later the bells pealcd
forth. while the old man sang with tvem-
bling lips and voice that no one heard but
God-as he had Jung every New Year
since that one:
children OF the Heavenly KiiG
As ye Journey swoetly sing.
Sing your saviour's worthy praise.
Glorious In His works and ways"
Then, as the last reluctant echo died
away, he stumbled down the narrow
stairs toward home and Elspcth.
Not far from the belltower stood q
mansion, where n great throng had as
semblcd to watch the old year out and
the new year in. silken drapories rustled.
Jewels cleaned, music ripplcd on the per-
TUNED air, and happy voices rang sweet
and high. but every sound was ~silenced,
and bright eyes grew dim In the food Of
melody which suddenly poured nbou, the
gay throng. They crowded toward the
music room. trying to catch n glimpse OF
the player. Those who were near saw n
slender man. with fair curling hair
brushed back from n brow NJ pure ~ n
woman's. The face was pale and the eyes
sad, but about the sensitive mouth played
an expression Of rare sweetness and
beauty. Quietly he sat before the grand
plano. playing without the slightest cf-
fort such mastcrful music as had hushed
the listeners 10 awc-struck silence.
who In hc?" was the question passed
from ono TO another when nj last tho
cessation Of the music broke the spell.
Tie II n friend OF fathers" their
hostess told them. Father met him
abroad some years ngo. and by helping
him In a search for some missing friends,
won his heart. Tho search wal moi nuc-
ccssful. but that did not seem to lessen
Prof. Won Dulow's gratitude, and they
have corrcsponded In n dcsultory way
ever since. FathC invited him here for
the holidays this year. but he declined the
invitation. then this evening suddenly
and uncxpeo odly appeared. These great
musicians are always eccentric. you
know. I heard him tell father that this
II an anniversary he doesn't like TO spend
alone. Some love story probably. No.
he Isn't married. He spends his entire
time with his wonderful music. That |,
really all I know about him" with TINT
the Interested guests were forced to be
content. for the player had vanished from
among them as suddenly as he appeared,
and loon the gayc,y resumed It's sway.
At II o'clock the hostess seated her
guests In a circle. saying: Now we will
turn down the lights and tell ghost stories
TIL midnight. Everybody must contrib
ute something. The more gruesome and
narrowing the better" she added laugh.
lngly. The young people fell In with the
spirit OF fun. and ghosts walked. hob.
COLLINS shriekcd and ghouls moaned. I'LL
the more tlmld begged for mercy.
II was almost ~ o'clock when a new
pause. Everyone. looked up to see the
musician standing in the door.
MY friends" he said. my story n no,
OF the spirits OF the unseen world-it Is
OF n lad In the far-awny Fatherland. who
once. on n night like this. left home and
friends and went out into the wide world.
with music ms the priestces who presided
nj the altar. where burned the fires Of
his ambition. SO brightly did this FIRE
burn that its glow hid the quictor emo
lions which fingered IN the shadow. md
father md mother and home were loft be-
hind. The youth had not dreamed Of tho
pain Of broken ties-but he aftorward
learned Il all.
"Shipwrecked, n weary sickness and
deliyerance. mlscarrled letter returned 10
It's writer long aftorward-al all these came
between the lad and his loved ones. and