The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-16
Crossing the Bar
BY MARY c. BOYLE.


an indissoluble bond between them,
Austin Mills and Belle Lawrence
were the most steadfast friends, but
not lovers. The wonderful friendship
which existed between them was
beautiful in its simplicity, and the
intense sympathy which manifested
itself in their liking for eacL other de-
served the hackneyed but expressive
appellation that they were surely
kindred souls.
And now ensconced in the depths
of luxurious arm chair, Belle sat be-
fore the huge open fireplace in the
dim sitting room of the Lawrence
home, awaiting Austin's coming. Pos
sessed of a magnificent tenor voice,
engaging presence and strong per-
sonality, Austin Mills was courted
to Belle that he always came with his
newest songs, for she was brilliant
pianist AMI with hel as his accompan.
list there was a subtle difference in
the tone and expression Of his voice.
1t was just as the twilight holr,
and fascinated by the fiery elf1ns in
the glowing embers, the melancholy
spirit of the gray light stole DER her,
and though far, indeed, from being a
dreamer Of dreams, her thoughts
took flight and it was a most serious
girl, quite unlike her gay, sparkling
self, that Austin Mills beheld as he
came breezily in, his countenance be.
tokening a spirit Of happiness and Joy
in the mere fact of living.
But soon the draperies era drawn
and the room flooded with a blaze Of
brilliant light by Austin's eager hands,
and the clear, full tones of the singer
rose sweetly and triumphantly with
the soft melody of the piano. They
had just finished a riotous folk-song,
yet the fireside mood was still upon
the fair player, Ind she gently began
to play the opening strains of the sad,
beautiful Crossing the Bar" Taking
up the refrain, Austin sang with a
wonderful depth of feeling the words
which have touched and comforted
many sad and weary hearts. Breath
lessly, Belle turned to him as he fin.
when the grim angel calls me, and
| put out TO sea, no matter where you
may be, / wish that you would sing
just as you have tonight, and"
Away with such gloomy thoughts" 1"
interrupted Austin. The blues are
positively out of fashion, and what
girl wants to be old-fashioned even
EN,, Ia 49,. 4 1.
was always infectious and happiness
soon reigned.
Long afterward, Austin Mills sat
in the music room of the Eagle House,
running over the Keys of the grand
, piano, humming snatches of the latest
comic opera, and idly listening to the
gay chatter around him, for it was a
typical summer hostelry with the usu.
al complement of merry young peo.
pie. Sceptical in regard to all pre-.
monitions, yet realizing full we'll the
unusual spirit OF unrest that was upon
him, memory painted a vivid picture
of another night and the strange wish
| that Belle had made. Suddenly, as If
guided by an unse power, he began
the low, minor chords of the song that
he had sung to her that night in the
cleaning. The laughter ceased, all
ears were strained, and even the
blase men strolling up and down the
broad veranda stopped and listened
as the singers voice rose and fell
waiting it, message of sadness upon
| the night air.
In the same dim old sitting room
where they had spent so many happy
hours together, Belle Lawrence lay
sleeping ith a calm, serene smil.
upon her lips, for Austin Mills hat
fulfilled her wish far better than ,e
knew, for just at the moment wher
the last 1uivering note Of the sons
had ended, her soul had passed to the
great unknown, and she had CROSSED
the Ba-."