Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-24

chi!dishly happy in his elaborate prepafa-
ton for his incoming. Elspeth Shipped IIolii
the back door, still wearing her Dig apron,
Down below the garden the river sleaIn l
In the sun The air was full of spring
sounds Beneath the bare currant bushes
a rooster announced loudly to his lady
friends that he had found gruDWoin
which they were welcome 10 watch MN "a
eat. swallows twittered, robbins lifted
bIuebirds chirped. On the bank OF the
river was a willow tree; beneath 1t rude
shack that would not have been unattract-
i've il the stalks OF Virginia creeper that
covered it had been green with leaves
Elspeth unlocked the door and threw II
wide. Scarcely a day had passed since her
childhood that she lad not visited the htsie
building. But during the cold winter months
the visits were only short, compulsory ones
and it was always with the eager sense OF
the first time that Elspeth opened the door
on the first. real spring day.
The room within was strange, indeed
About the wall. on a broad shelf, We're
ranged sandstone busts. Statucttes and has
reliefs. On an old kitchen table was a
ghOstly array of damp, Cloth-draped hgures
The floor was Uttered with bits of clay and
sandstone. Singing blithely. EIspeth seized
a broom that stood behind the open door
and with energetic strokes soon had the
little room swept clean. Then she took an
old cloth down from a nail and began what
was surely a labor of love; for nothing but
love could have given a touch so tender, so
longing, as was Elspeth's as she carefully
wiped each BIT of stone.
First. over by the south window. a childs
head. in the soft cream sandstone of the
upper quarry; q childs head carved with
minuteSt care and attention to detail. wild
elf locks tossed carelessly back, wistful
parted lips and promise OF dimpies in a
rounded cheek.
Good morning Jimmy" said Elspeth
Your nose is very dirty. But spring is
here, Jimmy boy, ana you shall have a
thorough cleaning every day. And some
time, perhaps, if you keep on being very
good. | shall put you into marble. When
my ship comes inn
Then. a little in the shadow, beyond the.
window, group in dark brown sandstone;
two hounds fighting; snarling, twisted
heap, with slavering jaws, with ugly eyes
and knotted muscles. wrought into the
stone with the strain and tensity of ar
rested motion.
"Elspeth EIspeth! Come here ouickr'
came the shrill voice of Grandfather Roslin
through the window. Something in the tone
frightened Elspeth, and she jumped to her
feet and ran out the door In the middle
of the clay bank stood Grandfather Roslin,
up to his ankles in the sticky mass and
standing with hands extended helplessly,
like a child.
This durn clay!" he exclaimed angrily
Il didn't suppose it was SO soft l came
down to see your mud piesl''
Elspeths face went white. The old man
was in much greater danger than he knew
stand perfectly still, grandfather" she
CiieG' ana II get you out.
'Still"' answered Grandfather Roslin
ENORMOUSLY, I'm be still enough for I've
wiggled till I've about busted both my legs
My heavens, Elspcth. I'm a-snkin' every
minit!' and he fell TO struggling 50 violent
ly that he lost his balance and went for
ward on his hands, gaining an upright posi-
ton again only after he was weak and
pale with fear and exhaustion
Espeth wrung her hands. You must stand
still, grandfather, while l run for Jed
Brown. I'll Just fly and she turned to-
ward the bank, running as she did so
squarely into a broad-shouldered man who
was hurEying down.
oh Mr.. Graham" she cried. too fright
ened over her grandfather to be surprised
at Mr.. Graham's arrival, what shall we
do?"
Mr. Graham, a tall fellow, with a we'll
groomed appearance, looked at Grandfather
Roslin's predicament with just CLEAN of
satisfaction in his eyes "Well, this is hard
luck" he said. 'Where'n I find some
pIanks. Elspeth?'
Grandfather Rosln tried to stamp his be-
mired feet I'm stay here till I'm up to my