Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-08-17
LITTLE
LANTERNS of
THE SOUL
By SIDNEY II. COLE
Copyright. Ia05, by 7. c. Mcclure

the soft Italian twilight were fading In
the west, and the first Of the myriad
stars were blinking, uncertain yellow
dots In the blue velvet sky.
Orne senior lifted his piercing black
eyes and looked at his son searchingly.
You're common ne'er DO WELL" he
burst out "a gambler n loafer, a rake.
You squander a fortune at the gaming
tables and come whining 10 me for
more money 90 lose Get your money
where you lost II. I'm through with
you"
Young Orne drew himself up. "Fa-
ther'- he began.
Pm done with you" the older man
Numbered. Il wash my hands of you.
AS God is my judge, I'll cut you off
without cent, Go out into the world
and stand on your own feet or sink
into the mire of ruin you've been delv-
ing in. It's all one TO me"
Young Orne strobe silently TO the
door, turned hesitated. then hurried
through the hall into the soft night
without. The last streak of red was
gone from the west. Far below him at
the foot Of the slope the little village
was agleam with lights. He noticed
that even in the trees tiny luminous
pin points OF light shone steadily Then
he remembered that II was st. Johns
eve and that the lights were a part Of
the fiesta.
He descended the steps and strobe
across the terraces and through the
villa gardens As ne came to n group
OF olive trees Just beyond the sundial
he saw dimly q grlish figure standing
beneath one Of the trees. There was
the rasp OF a match, a tiny Chinese
lantern was lighted, and in its mellow
glow he saw plainly the girls upturned
face as she reached up TO fasten the
lantern to a low hanging branch. 1t
was Ethelyn Hope, the daughter of
his fathers oldest friend who had made
her home with the Ornes since her par
ents' death. That was years back,
when Etheiyn was q little girl In
frocks. Now she was eighteen, tall,
graceful and sweet alike IN feature and
In temper.
Young Orne came into the little circle
OF light cast by the lantern. There was
an old stone seat beneath that particu-
lar olive tree, and he sank into It
''Celebratingf" he asked.
Yes" she said. pointing to the Ian
tern 1T is a little lantern of the
soul"
"A whatT' he asked in laughing per
pleKity.
"A little lantern of the SOUL" she re-
peated You hang them on olive trees |
and say little prayers for the souls |
they represent l heard Pietro and |
the cook talking about them today. I |
made them explain"
II see," said he. who's soul is
thisT" And he pointed to the lantern.
II haven't decided as yet" she said,
and added quickly, II think II will be |
yours"
by all means let IT be So" he ac-
Quiesced. Heaven knows Pm sadly |
In need of pious prayers Just now"
Are you In trouble7" she asked.
Have you and Uncle Orne been quar-.
reling againf"
He smiled with ironic bitterness
''Oh. there's been a slight titfn he said
easily
THAT is bad" she said. with ready
sympathy.
1t ended by-by-well, to use bold |
words, by his kicking me out" said he.
Her face became serious. He didn't
really mean IL, of course He'll be sor-
~ before morning."
II hope So" he said. You can let me
know II he is" he ended lightly.
II let you know7" she said, frightened
By his tone. You're not-not really
goingY
Orne's face darkened. All the ran
king bitterness his fathers words had
inspired was upon him again.
Il may be all he called me and
more" he said, with an omlnOus calm
ness, but still have some pride left
have 10 be shown the door but once"
The girls hands trembled violently
as she leaned against the olive tree.
Orne, with his head bowed sullenIy. did
not notice this When he raised his
eyes she was still leaning against the
tree. He saw n strange new light In
her eyes, and all at once he realized
that she was no longer child. but
woman and that her woman's heart
was his. The fact that there was love
In his own heart was as much Of @
shock 10 him as the discovery OF this
answering love In hers. He could have
cried out with the Joy and pain Of IL
He rose TO his feet pale and shaken.
81 must be going" he said roughly.
"GoingT she asked blankly. Going
wherer'
He laughed harshly I've Ill the
world TO choose FROM" he said bitterly
He drew her gently to him. For ono
moment her head rested on his shoui
der and her soft brown hair brushed
his cheek
OrDe senior had long entertained an
nea II was that some day his son
would steady down and marry Ethelyn.
But, being a wise old man and know
ing too well the dangers Of match
making. he said nothing Of this either
20 his son or his ward. Now ns be sat
Ia the library after the stormy inter
visw with his son he felt that his hopes
had received their deathblow. For
long time he sat by the red shaded
lamp. ponderinG deeply. Then he rose
and went into the gardens
lie walked rapidly up and down the
terraces for a time, his head barred 10
the warm light air. He saw the light In
the olive tree and went down the path
10 Investigate. AS he ncarcd the tree
he caught the sound Of n woman's spas
mOdic sobs lie stopped and peered !
through the darkness What he saw
beneath the olive tree lifted great
weight from his heart and brought a
grim smile to his lips
mo. no." the girl was saying wildly,
caE.noA Lot I.n,, ~ . I'm L--.-I. r..- |