The Irish standard., 1905-10-21
>
The Hermit
N A Story of the Wilderness H.
- By CHARLES CLARK MUM u
Author Of Pocket Island Uncle Terry"
ard Rockhaven."
CHAPTER l.
E1DSn LOUIE
Copyright, 1905, by Lee and shepard.)

little zone of light barely outlined the
open tent, the two canoes, bottom up,
under which Levi and Jean were shell
tered, and the narrow opening in the
| forest where Martin Frisbie and his
for the night. In front of this placid
| lakelet reflected the stars, while all
about was painless wilderness, SOM
bre and silent. For an hour these two.
who had been village schoolmates, be-
came reminiscent as they lounged be-
side the fire and smoked.
| "And so Angie isn't married?" que
ried Martin, reaching forward to poke
the embers together. That's strange.
AS recall her at the close of our school
days, she was more than usually
pretty girl Of a quiet common-sensc
Sort one who would naturally become
a home-maker. She still lives with
Aunt Comfort, suppose"
"Yes," answered the doctor, land
keeps the South End school and has
for ten years." Then, as if a new
thought had come to him, he added
maybe she is waiting for you. Martin.
l remember you used to be sweet ON
her in the old days."
Martin slowly blew q smoke ring
aloft, for he, like every youth, had
passed safely through the brief delir-
ium OF first love, which the bright eyes
and red lips of Angie Curtis had occa-
eioned.
Eyes, must admit was" he re-
sponded, "and do you know, doctor,
now that you mention my callow spell
l wish could go back to it and be just
as big and happy a fool as was then"
The doctor laughed.
Better come up and tell her so," he
responded, glancing at Martins up
raised face; "for all you know, she
might be glad to listen, and as for being
a fool over again-wcll. from what
hear, you can afford ii now"
And Martin could, for he had made
good use of the years since he and Dr.
Sol were boys together, and had
reached the goal of moderate wealth
while yet in the prime of manhood
I'D like to see Angie" Martin added
m,lsingly after long pause, land have
a good visit and laugh over our youth
full Stiffness; but maybe she wouldn't
speak to me now. if we met"
ooh, pshaw, that's nonsense" re-
turned the doctor, promptly, land you
know It, Angie isn't SO silly as to re-
tain grudee against a boy admirer so
long Why do You imagine she would"
Does your conscience smitc your
"Nn-o-o." came the drawing answer,
"and yet think didn't treat her inst
right. after leaving Grccnvale. was
too busy making money!"
&nd that night when the chat had
come to an end, and Martin had crept
into the tent and lay listening to the
crackle of the dying fire, once more he
Ilived over those fond and foolish davs
OF his youth.
And how clear and distinctly they
:all came back, now that the pages; be-
,gan to turn! First the school DAYS.
when Angie, in her little checked ging-
ham pinafore, had chosen him as her
Ihescuer in a game Of Stand in the
Well" then the first spelling school
land the walk home with her in the
'early autumn, when the Mizzy locked
like stream Of ripping silver. and
the moon cast mottled shadows along
1.-THE maple-shaded lane which they fol
flowed. And what a delight it was to
feel her small, soft hand OF his Jacket
Isleeve, and how scared he was when
Aunt Comforts was reached. and he
felt impelled to kiss Angie. Then The
next winter, and that never-to- be for
Igotten sleigh-ridc to River1un, and III q
homecoming when the bells iinsle5 so
merrily, and the sleigh runners crcakcc
In the frosty snow when the horse.
walked. and how his arm nearly fluzc
holding the robe around Angie! All
the long winter evenings in Aunt Com
forts best room" with its hairclOth
furniture. open fire, and shiny brass
hre-doEs, came back, with the popping
OF corn. the tin pan OF S"el;-no-fur, her
apples, and bowl of craze! ed walnu,s AS
side features Of minor in1crrs'
There were other and equally charn}In:
OccaSlGns-moonlit evenings on Aun,
Comforts porch when tho lilacs wcr.
IL bloom and the fretlies lwinklcd owe,
the meadow. long walks to a bridge
across the Mizzy, where sweet flag
grew, with many stolen kisses fragrant
With 1aSroOt, gathered as we'll, and
dozens of other and equally dcligh full
hours, with Angie as the one sole and
supreme inspiration. But beyond these
boyhood delights. and woven into his
feelings like fine tendr.ls, was the MEM
CRY of a dozen or more old-time Sab
bath-schODl melodies she used to sing
to her own accompaniment played upon
q little drOning mclndcon. They wrle
all from collection called "Frrsf,
Laurels," and that. with two more, on:
labelled Songs OF Zion" and the other
'The Glee Club" composed her musi-
| cal library. The first was her favorite,
| and the songs she usually entertained
him with were GIVE, Said the Little
| Stream" "The Golden Rule" "Shnll
We Gather at the River" "AH the
Way" and "Swcet Hour of Prayer"
For two years he had lived in a new
| and glorified world, building air castles
with her and for her. as young Romcoe
| ever have and ever will. and then came
a sweet yet painful parting, prolific OF
fond promise, but alas. like most, to
| fade into thin air.
For one year more they had cx-
| changed tender missiyes. first weekly
then monthly, then irregularly; and
then ceasing entirely, as Martin, ambi-
tfous and Woodworking in his new life,