The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-11-14

he was up early that day in order Ito hclp Amos
move m he explained TO his wife
IL was raw day-cloudy with a strong north wind
anu WINTER m seemed iii the araud when the night be-
gan 10 ia and James furniture was sparselv distributed
Jaiie herse being busy the kitcten) Stephen III
me ire on his hearth and down before il with
thrill OF satisfaction " VIZ"
fo As he gazed the spell of that which he had wrought
ieH upon MINI ne trst sarza Of his poem was being
sung by the roaring flames. On the white walls the
golden light was fickering-and along the ceiling tbc
shadows OF the tall androns danced grotcsouely ia
InidIy' as OF Old nc manel with its carvcn figures
and its candles aud vases seemed unchanged The
song OF the elms outside was the same
- lcarS dimmed his eyes, big ump filed his tbro.+
For moment he had the exatation of the artisf a.
seemed to have trurphcd over times DEGREES as tb
poet does 1t appeared that he had actually restored his
nome reconstructed the past, that Martha might At
any moment steal into the room light Of stem a. nf
DID, to sit on the of his chair and to ask with thai
tenderness of sympathy which always melted his heart
shoulder ea!'I h''
He loved Serbia he onored and cared for her =. n.
moner OF ms chldren but Martha was the wife of his
youth the Madonna of his dreams She was associated
With the mystery of his life the dew of his morning
Inc, ne whole earth was young that marvellous May when
Incy TWO adventured into this and fertile land
1he perfume OF wild honey the song of laks in lowery
meadows lay IN her name and around her fireplace still
fingered such heartness OF cheer such neisbborncs AZ
days 0'' ''''Se glorious pioneer
He sat so long i'll dreams that the red s,y and er.
gre" gray and the good people the kitchen became
uneasy, and Amos and brought lamp and then
with an absent minded smile the dreamer rose stiff with
home, TO the wife Of his present
lie came again the next day, and the next and the
next eperusng with lnarlculatc pain and pleasure his
story IN stone and steel his epic pungcn pine basknc
in the glow of his fire. forgetting his gray hair and
nervelesS limbs in the magic OF the flame From these
secret delicious excursions into the past these corr
lnunions with the dead, he returned TO his wife and
daughter with reluctance with certain guilty fear
Without meaning 70 be dsoyal, he began 10 find
Serillas brusque ways intolerable and had moments
when he resolved TO keep his secret He shrank from
her sharp voice, her prosac and harsh comment He
was like bridegroom jealous OF the very name OF his
love- - ~
Amos had guessed Stephens proprietorship of the
house but being OF perception he had cautioned
MS wife to yield no hint of their knowledge and
Jane was not merely discreet she was syinpathetic
She added many little ways 10 Stephens enoy1nenf
OF his home. The fire was ALWAYS blazing on the IraT
when he came in, and he left alone for the most
part only upon invitation did she enter the room 10 sit
with him. before his shrine.
his understanding mutual Stephen knew that
they were in possession OF his secret but he gave no
outward sign indeed he kept up the fiction by greeting
them as his hosts and even went far discuss the
coming OF " the owner" in the spring He always ey-
pressed gratitude for chance to sit against the FIRE Il
don't know what I'll do when you move out he said
once Well, I'll have one comfortable winter apv-
way" he ended
Serbia deeply resented his truancv, which she as
crbcd TO the influence OF Jane Kittredge and barrier
OF dlstrust and defense had risen between them Caris
involved with the young life of the village gave very BIT
Tended her father " Ii he gets any fun out OF Aunt
Janc, let HIM. she rather fppanty remarked and the
Stephen TO
her John would understand but he hestatcd about
decided y "-'D '''''1s' "c
His old crones found him distinctly less companion.
able, more remote settled sadness, grovqg reserve
difficult OF analysis had come into his daily greeting
lie told fewer stories, he less often The grocery
store, and his laugh seldom heard.
All this change they referred to ill-hcath and their
comment was gentle and commissioning.
Stephen is faIlln fast" remarked Pitcher, one day
! ne cold weather seems to grip him. 1t wouldn't
surprise me TO hear any day that ne taken fat down.
doubt II he stands many of these winters"
Hiram looked up with smile which was at once
defiant and wistful "Wc'rc all in the same boat and
driftin the way, lie said; and then they spoke
with reoue cheer OF the weather and the price of fire.
wood
? November passed without any change of plan or
Stephen part and December halfway gone before
ne broke silence Being moved by letter from ohn.
he suddenly said one night quite in his old hearty way
tell you what you do, Amos. You and Jane send
serbia kin, bidding EN- all TO Christmas dinner Say
o the boys that seems their mother hain got room
,noH}gl I'm kind o goin' IN with here You can
hldrcns stockns, and that they stay hcrc-part OF
EN- at least We all get together here in this big
oom- y lump came into his throat and he did not
Jane and Amos fell in with the suggestion quite as if
command. and withdrew TO write out the Ict
he hrc Tor lhc walk that day had been stern battle
'Iih both wind and snow and he seemed older and
A couple OF hours later, as they went downstairs to
oeE the doors and put ont the lights Jane SAID, Look
D the furnace My hear That wind"
AMOS opened the door but paused on the threshold
nd bcckoncd with smile Come here, Jane" he
'hiSpGred thought didn't hear him go out Jane
'okcd over his shoulder with a word of surprise
ihc FIRE had burned low In deep bed of ashes
g oakcn gnarl sill smoldercd, sending UP now and
gam single eaping Jet of flame and by its 6fl light
tephon was mtcrmittcnty revealed decp-sunk in his
-mchar his gray head termed lsNy aside, his gaunt
ands hanging cmptly by his side
Better wake him." said Jane He'll take chill
ed better sleep here tonight
Nmos went and touched the sleeper on the
BOULDER. He did not respond Amos laid his hand
yainst the gri@zcd check, and turped with start
ward ms wife. look of on his facc-a look a
'sture which told his story instantly and with COM