Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-30
BY THOMAS DIX ON
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CHAPTER VIII.
Struggle.

hopeless II DtcdlllS' ne 'ul SSu 'S' ~
one breath, and with the next stretch
ed out his arms in the darkness in
desperate voiceless longing.
He rose at last and stood looking out
his window on the mOonlit Square. He
began to feel that he had been to
blame Why had he allowed the fool
iSh pride of a lovers quarrel to keep
them apart for two weeks? 4 clock in
a distant tower struck three. The ra-
dance of the massed lights of Broad
way still Gluwed i'm the sky and dim
med the glory of the moon. The roar
uf the elevated trains sounded unu-
Sually loud and sinister. Perhaps
because BivenS was on their board OF
directors. The whistle of their air
brakes seemed to hiss his name.
crowd of jewellers passed in cab
with their feet out the windows sing
ing drunken song. There was
something sickenng i'm the thought of
this swiftly moving remOrseleSS rush
Of a city'S endless life. After all, was
Nan worse than others-thOusands of
others caught i'm the merciless grip of
it's eternal spell?
The clock struck five. he looked out
the window. startled 10y the first soft
light of the dawn.
He came downstairs let himself out
of the front door and began I" walk
furiously. When at last he became
conscious of his surroundings he had
reached Central Park and was seated
i'm the little summer house on big
pile of boulderS near the Sixth avenue
entrance The sun was rising. 1t was
the first sunrise he had ever seen in
New York The effect on his imagi-
nation was startling. The red rays
streaming through the park and the
chirp of birds in the bushes were ma
gic touches that transformed the world.
He was back again in the south. where
Nature is the one big fact of life, and
the memories of the girl he had learn
ed To love beside its beautiful waters
again overwhelmed him.
He rose with a cry of pain, plunged
into the crowds streaming downtown
to their work, and scarcely conscious
OF anything save the ache within, found
himself again in his room. He disar-
ranged his bed that his sleepless night
might not excite comment. He was
just a little ashamed that his loss OF
poise had been 50 complete and over
yhclming.
When he came downstairs he pauS-
ed at the door. Harriet was playing
and singing again. and the soft tones
of her voice We're healing. III" walked
gently to the door of the music room.
leaned against the panel. and watched
and listened.
She played. not as Il schoolgirl praC-
Using lesson. but with Il lingering
touch Of joy in her work caressng
each note. The thrill of hope and faith
in her voice was sn"thing. 1t soothed
the wounded soul and softly brought
Smil" to his face.
At last she stopped reluctantly. tip
ped her golden head sideways in a CO.
puottsh little triumphant movement.
and in the quaintest imitation of
mam'S voice said:
Il congratulate YOU. Miss Harriet
like that very much"
DO you. professor" oh. I'm :" glad
I" please YOU"
She shook her curls with genuine
delight. and played out the little dia-
I"guc with vivid imaginary touches.
Stuart laughed.
The girl leaped to her feet, hlushinG
l. -. Il yal
his hand.
Did You see me- jim" Was | very
fnolish?"
"Crrtainly not. quite agree with
the professor. You will some day sing
h,.tnr" kings and queens. little girl
You sing as the birds. because it's in
your soul. And want To thank YOU,
too. H"u'vr helped mr again. had
n hard days work her"r" M. and
yuu've made it easy"
"Then shall Ice very happy all day,
Jim"
"Thamk you. little pal-au revoir-"
liz. left her waving and smiling To
him from the steps. He walked with
n"w vfgor and Il deepening sense of
gratitude.
Strange what Il gracious influence
the child had over him. She was al
ways ray Of sunlight This morning
the touch of her hand and the thrill
nr her voice had brought his dead soul
back To- life again. His breath deep
med and his step grew firm and swift.
He would fight for his OWN! He