The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-03-23
Youths Respite.
By Adela Louise Kmban.

Like the sudden, unexpected stop
ping of a well-regulated clock, Bar
rett paused abruptly, then sat down
to think. The fact that he was let
ting the world hasten by while he re-
mained inactive seemed to pull down
all the stable foundations of his life
Why must he hurry? Why had he
rushed, crowding and straining, for
nearly 10 years? A whirl of questions
surged down upon him, lashing in
. open derision. What had he gained?
A little wealth, a little prominence.
What else?
He realized dimly that this was his
hrst long breath for many years, yet
knew that each moment of deep
breathing must be followed by the
quick, sharp pants of runner strain
ing for the goal.
He had let the car go by, tne same
Gar which he had taken for 10 years,
then he leaned back and watched the
clock. He checked off the moments as
they few, his mind performing the
tasles which should have been allot-
ted to each. His body was impassive,
yet his brain remained active and
alert.
He arose suddenly and paced the
room. stopping abruptly as he faced
his reflection in the mirror. For the
hrst time In many years he looked
upon himself with seeing eyes. He
mad given casual glances, sufficient
Tor the Strengthening of tie, but this
was his first actual discerning look.
From 20 to 80 is a long leap in a
mans life, 1t carries him to and be-
yond the full essence of his youth
To have lived II, as a machine. WORK.
dng, grinding, grasping, was to have
aost hold upon something fleeting and
illusive.
In three days he would be 30, In
but three days then he must grasp
youth in Its fulness, that 1t might be
MS, either to lose or to hold.
AT first he was confused and imno-
cont. He sought the essence of youth:
but where should he bend his seek
sng? 1t did not lay within him, he
must find 1t beyond himself and draw
1t into the warped, hardened walls of
his storehouse.
He looked from his window, down
upon the rushing of life beneath with
q vague singing in his heart and the
day became filled with a new, keen
whirl and spent a long, breathless
sest He Plunged at once into the
day IN the heart Of the city. He dined
hKuriously, attended the theatre,
drove, danced and revelled. At night
when he returned to his room he
paused, wearily facing the clock.
Gghteen hours But he was no near
Or youth.
The next day he remembered vi
wan Cameron. He found her where
they had last met, in the great stone
house facing the park.
why John!" she cried. tits al
most like seeing a ghost"
"Of what?" he queriod.
"Of my lost youth"
Barrett winced her words brought
MIN nearer the great change which
he found in her. He spent several
hours by her side, watching the vary
ing expressions flash across her face
a1ke quick changing light. She
seemed to envelop him by her charm.
but at length when he reached home.
dazzled and weary, he knew that this
surely was not youth.
Had 1t then fled irrevocably beyond
the eagerness of his grasp? Had he
sacrificed 1t to the whirling, grinding
wheels OF progression?
The third day of his respite dawned
clear and warm, with a soft allurlng
suggestion Of spring. He drew in
deep breaths of the morning air, and
his mind flashed instantly toward the
freedom of the great spaces. He went
into tha country and found a fra
grant, budding garden.
He flung himself upon the warm
earth and felt the quick stirring Of
bis blood. His nostrils dilated and
something Within him seemed to ex-
pand until 1t became one with the
gentle unfolding Of life about him.
He secured lodgings at the farm