Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-07-30

Long have | loved: love her yet.
Leave her can. but not forget."J
y moment later they heard him ex-
postulating with some one at the wa
ter's edge and then n child's treble
rose on high.
mo, no. I'm goln', too. I'm goln',
too-O-o-o"-
Hey! John Gale" called Poleon.
Come ere! Ba gosh, you better hor-
ry too. | can't hol' dis Teller long,"
When they appeared on the bank
above him. he continued, Look ere
wat / fin on my batteau." and held
up the wriggling form Of Johnny Gale.
Hes stow hisse'f away onder dem
blanket Sacre! He's bad Teller, dis
man-don' pay for hees ticket at all;
he's regular toff mug"
1t took the efforts Of Necia and the
trader combined TO tear the lad from
the Frenchman, and even then the
foul deed was accomplished only at
the cost Of such wild acclaim and evil
dence Of undying sorrow that little
Molly came hurrying from the house,
her round face stained and fearful. her
mouth an inverted crescent She had
gone to the lame puppy for comfort
and now strangled him absentminded-
ly In her arms, clutching him TO her
breast so tightly that his tongue lolled
out ard his three legs protruded stifi!y.
having an aimless pantomime. When
Johnny found that no hope remained
he oueled his demonstrations or emo
ION and, as beftted a stout hearted
gentleman Of the woods, bore final
present to his friend. He took hts lit
lie air gun and gave 1t into Poleon's
hands against that black night when
the bears would come, and no man
ever made a greater sacrifice. Doret
picked him up by the elbows and
kissed him again and again, then set
him down gently, at which Molly
scrambled forward and without word
or presentation speech gave him her
hearts first treasure. She held out
the three legged puppy, for gun and
dog should ever go together; then,
being of the womankind aforesaid, she
began to cry as she kissed her pet
goodby on its cold, wet nose.
"W'at's dis?' said Poleon, and his
voice quavered, for these childish fin
gers tore at his heartstrings terribly.
"Hes q very brave doggie," said the
little girl. HE will scare de bears
awayw And then she became dis
solved in tears at the anguish her offer
ing cost her.
The time had come for the last good
by-that awkward moment when hu-
man hearts are full and spoken words
are empty. Burrell gripped the French
mans hand. He was grateful, but he
did not know.
Good luck and better hunting" he
said, "a heavy purse and light heart
for you always, Poleon. have learned
to love you"
II want you to be good husban.
m'sieu'. OATS de bes' ting l can wish
for you"
Gale spoke to him in patois, and all
he said was:
"Nay you not forget, my SON."
They did not look into each others
eyes There was no need. The old
man stopped and, taking both his chill
dren by the hand, walked slowly to-
ward the house.
"Dis tam III fin it for sure" smiled
Poleon to Necia.
Her eyes were shining through the
tears, and she whispered fervently:
81 hope so, brother. God love you
always"
1t was grief at losing a playmate,
dear and well beloved companion. He
knew 1t we'll. and be was glad now
that he had never said word Of love
to her. 1t added to his pain, but it
lightened hers, and that had ever been
his wish He gazed on her for long
moment, taking in that blessed image
which would ever live with him.
"Goodby, liz GAL" he said then
dropped her hand and entered his ca
noe With one great stroke lie drove it
out and into the food, then headed
away toward the mis.s and colors ct
the distant hills. where the breads
were calling to him. He turned for
one last look ard flung his paddle
high; then, fearing lest they might see
the tears that came at last unhindered.
he began to sing:
"Chante, rossignol, chante!
Toi qui lie occur gal;
Tu as lie occur rire
Mai j. / alta pleurer."
He sang long and Justify, keeping
time to the dip of his flashing paddle
and defying his bursting heart. After
ALL was he not voyageur and life but
q song and tear and then dream
or two?
II wish might have known him
better" sighed Meade Burrell as he
watched the receding form of the
boatmun.
"You would have loved him us we
do" said Necia, and you would have
missed him as we will
II hope some time he will be happy
"As happy us you, my sOldicrT
"Yes. but that he can never b." said
her husband. for no man could love
as love you"
yours is heart that laughter cheers.
Mine is a heart that's full OF tears
Long have loved; | love her yet.
Leave her | can, but not forget,
came the voice Of the singer far down
the stream.
Ard thus 'OlaOn Of the great heart