New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-17
Continued from page c

we're bringing with them. The Boy, look
ing on up the path. saw Friend Bethlehem
and the mother. walking, like the Others,
ewes cast down. side bv side. Now they
were nearly abreast of him; but this that
they carried came first. slowly, and with a
hush around it. 1t was a coffin, and the
SIN glancing across it, flashed upon the
silver plate, and scared its letters as by
lightning upon the Boys BRAIN
Ruth, Aged 49,
"Ahl well and faithfully had she counted
the stars, Fool that he had been IN MS
pride The lights of Fame, what were they;
They were as nothing to the light that beat
upon that coffin lid,
The Boy staggered back. Mad things
with hammers were beating upon an anvil
and the anvil was his brain. They were OPP
nosite him now, the father and mother.
They saw him crushed, dazed, despairlng.
Friend Bethlehem, his head bowed on his
breast. shook it slowly twice or three, ana
passed on. But the mother, Ruth mother,
gently she reached out a hand and caught
his drawing him to her silently tenderly.
And between the two, holding fast to that
trembling. withered hand as to salvation,
the glory of Fame dropped from HIM as
ragged garment, the Boy followed the coffin
down the hill.
IN the room fell a silence The eyes of the
1 New Star looked without, but saw
nothing for the tears that fell upon the WIN,
dow ledge. After a space she turned and
softly crossed the room. The Successful
Dramatist sat still by the table, his face
shaded bv his hand. The New Star knelt
beside him, and as a timid child plucks at
its mothers sleeve gently drew down the
hand. and her shining eyes looked up to his.
Il know why you have told me the story
she whispered, "and with all my heart !
thank YOU"
"Oh, Child. Child" cried the Successful
DramatiSt. But she STAYED him with gcs-
turc toward the old cscrtoire.
"\Iav now" she questioned.
The KEY is in the lock, he said simply.
And she crossed the room, and unlocked
the drawer, and took thcrcfrom the case OF
ebony. and bringing it to him placed 1t rev
crentlv in his hands; then, slipping to her
knees again, waited till he opened 1t and
laid it before her on his knee.
And for a long time the Comprehensive
Eyes looked upon the sweet and steadiaSt
serenity Of those other eyes. Beautiful
ewes Of Faith, she murmurcd at last, YOU
make me ashamed" And she hid her own
on his knee.
The Successful Dramatist closed the case
softlv and his hand rested on the bowed
head OF the New Star 90 Child OF the
Comprehensive Eyes" he said, my boy
hood heart was hers, and YOU know how
well she guarded it. But now, sadness
beyond any that had been there before was
in his voice, now my heart is in the keeping
Of another. and shc-thc lights OF Fame are
to her the only lights. And 50 | am as one
who stands on a lonely shore in the darkness
Of a night without stars alone.
"Ah, no." she raised her head, and her
ewes were very beautiful. at is not so
now. She has taught me. You She
rose to her feet, lovely wave Of color
sweeping over her face. She held the little
case clasped tightly in both hands.
Child the Successful DramatiSt faced
her. the light Of Il great alteration, long
stcrnlv held in check, upeaping in his eyes.
90 Child. Child" he cried. with a very pas
sion Of vearning. Every wave that comes
in upon that lonely shore whispers your
name. Ii a worshiping heart he broke
of abruptly. at is the dcluSion of a dream
cr," ne muttercd brokcnly.
49," her voice was low. but infinitely
sweet. that other Was the dcluSion. On.