Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-12-21

n COucneQ the cages OF ner SOmDer
veil with a fringe of silver. The
great gray tower lifted its head fa1
aloft in the midnight stiffness, and the
wind moaned around its rough-hewn cor
ners a requiem for the dying year. With
in the tower sat the old bell-ringer, wait
ing for the stroke OF twelve from the
clock, and, as he waited, his thoughts
drifted back to the years long buried
In the, dimness of the past-the years
when his floating white hair had been
crisp and black, when his long, slender
fingers were strong and supple, and
struck from the midnight chimes music
of enhancing beauty.
Oh, happy memory! Oh, long ago! 1t
was on another night like that that Ru-
precht was born; and the joy which
beamed from the pale young mother
face was reflected in his own. as he left
her with her baby on her bosom and
rushed to the bell-tower to make Of his
chimes a pean Of praise to the Father
who had filled his life with blessing.
How they loved him-that baby-thei-
only one-their all! How he and Els
peth had watched each new develop
ment-how proudly guided the first tot
tering step; how carefully repeated the
first lisping word.
The boy studied-improying every op-
portunity with untiring zeal, until at
last the great organ in the Cathedral
below Numbered it's glorious music re-
sponsive to the touch of the boyish fin
gers. People thronged to hear Ru-
precht's services were demanded else
where-brilliant prospects opened be-
fore him, and the inevitable separation
drew near.
New Years Eve! How many ami
versaries this shadowy hour held. The
boy babe them good-by while Elspeth
chung to him and sobbed, and her hus-
band rushed away to tell the chimes his
agony as he had poured into them his
Soy. AS he sat waiting, even as now,
step came up the stair, and some one
entered the belfry chamber, and the voice
he loved said tenderly '',Mein Water, let
me play the chimes tonight. / will leave
with them a message to comfort you
when you are sad-a message for YOU
and the mother, too. When hear it in
the far-off land it will be my mothers
voice that sings to me, and when you
play it, mein water, it will say to you,
'Ruprecht loves me- Then you will
pray God watch over my boy and keep
him safe for me- and the All-Father
will hear"
When Ruprecht struck the massive
keys it was the simple old Pleyel's hymn
ne played, but he lent his beautiful voice
to the clangor of the bells and sang his
mothers favorite words:
Children Of the Heavenly King
AS We journey sweetly sing,
Sing your Saviour's worthy praise
Glorious In his works and ways
A moment later he was gone. The
years had been many and long since
then, but no tidings ever came, and Els
peth's hair grew white before the look of
expectancy in her dear eyes changed to
dead, of course. They had heard of the
wrecked ship. They had moved to a new
home. They were only waiting now
he and Elspeth-for the summons which
should call them 20 the happy reunion
where there would be no sad good-bys
and hearts forget how to ache.
The first stroke of midnight sounded
and an instant later the bells pealed
forth. while the old man sang with trem-
bling lips and voice that no one heard
but God-as he had sung every New
Year since that one:
Children of the Heavenly King
As We Journey sweetly sing,
Sing your Saviours worthy praise
Glorious In his works and ways.
Than, a. the last reluctant echo died