The Green Forest tribune., 1910-06-24
 ssDl1ICin11er eDar2e''
By CLARESSA MACKIE

hammer fell with a clattering discord And so the dulcimer uttered it's last plaintive cry.
 With a little cry of grief Ann threw on her wraps and rushed to the vil- lage. This time she passed the post. office and entered a small white cot. tage that flanked one side of a large grocery store It was in this cottage that Jimmy Roe lived alone with his mother
 Ann walked briskly to the front door, her thin lips set in a straight line under her sharp little nose. She con. trasted the freshly-painted and we'll preserved building with her own de. caying house, which Jane had indif. ferently neglected for ten years. IL was Ann's money that was spent on the food and clothing. while Jane recklessly expended her portion on books and music.
 The front door opened and Amanda Roes bright black eyes stared in- quisitively at Ann.
 Good morning, Ann Roswell come in, do! It's a mighty long time. since you favored me with a call" She led the way into the warm sitting room and pushed a rocking chair in front of the glowing stove. Sit down."
 Ann paused in the middle of the room and leaned against the high back of the rocker with folded arms.
 ''I won't sit down." she said, slowly. q came to see you on business
 "Oh!" Amanda Roe's glance soft ened. T hope there ain't nothing the matter with Dulcimer Jane." she said, quickly.
 "Dulcimer Jane!" Ann's voice was harsh and strained. You needn't call her that any more, Mrs. Roe! just heard this morning that you nick named Jane years ago and that every body in the village has called her Dulcimer Jane. and so told her-and you needn't call her that any morel She burned up all her music books and the dulcimer, too, and now she hasn't got any pleasure at all! l hope you're statistical" Ann flung out one mittened hand accusingly.
 Amanda Roe covered in her chair and her bright eyes fell to the floor and studied the gay rag carpet T didn't mean any real harm, she quavered. Jane was that proud she wouldn't look at my Jimmy and him breaking his heart all these years, and so patient and kind-no son was ever like him!"
 Tt was before that you made trouble. You never liked my sister Jane. You didn't want Jimmy to marry her, and so he never asked her, and it's Jane who has been breaking her Leart Put on your shawl and hood and come to the store with me, she commanded, kindly.
 Amanda Roe obeyed, and together they hastened down the path to the store as if this happiness which had been so long withheld from patient Jimmy Roe might elude them after all.
 In a railed enclosure, James Roe was bending over his books. He flushed to the roots of his hair as Ann Roswell appeared beside his mother
 Whats the matter, mother? Ann? Is there anything the matter with JaDe?' His voice came sharper than either woman had ever heard it ring
 Ann spoke. No - nothing more than there ever has been, Jimmy only your mother and me have thrashed everything all out and some things are plain Jane has burned up all her music and her dulcimer, and, if you really want her, you'd better go up there now. know she's never for got you!"
 Without a word, James Roe slipped into his overcoat and damned a hat on his head. A strangely boyish look came into his face as he came out of the office.
 Kiss me and wish me luck, mother" he said, pausing beside the trembling old lady
 Good luck, Jimmy, and ask Jane to forgive me and say l won't take 1t hard if she don't want to live with me-" she whispered
 That will be all right, mother. We'll all live together-eh. Ann?" he said, kindly.
 Run along. dol" urged Ann.
 After the door had closed behind Jimmy Roe, the two women left the store to ,he clerks, and walked back to the cottage.
 Don't go home yet, Ann," begged Mrs. Roe at the gate. I'm awful afraid something might happen yet to spile it all and l do want Jane and Jimmy to be happy now; you cant tell how they'd take it if they was inter- rupted now!"
 I'll come in awhile; want to geG your recipe for graham bread-I hear it's famous"
 You can have it and welcome-and we'll talk about Jane's wedding" said Jimmy's mother.
 Why He Couldn't Walk.
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