Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-04-06

She felt friendless, for strength only the courage
of mother left alone in the world with a sick child
to protect. She had no idea OF rclinquishng her
plan, although she was in despair and If any ono
had come to her with friendly hand she would
have wcpt. As it was, she was ready to meet at
tack alter attack
AIMEE not surprised later in the dav. to sec
young Pastor Morris coming up the pathway r..
came slowly. When he greeted AIMEE his eyes
sought the ground, his complexion was ruddicr and
more boyish than ever, and his lips usually firm in
speech, seemed uncertain But the large hand with
which he held Annec's was warm and kind In the
clean kitchen he began to talk with AIMEE abou.
David-how was David: what did the physician say,
wasn't AIMEE growing tircd' what could he do,
Suddenly the young pastor changed as if brought
face to face with disagrceable duty.
aimee they say you arc initiating a cuckoo; s
it 50 "
cay, sir, for Davids ears
But, AIMEE, that is acting j lie, is it not;"
at may be- replied aimee, YEARLY.
"Wouldnt it be better il l were to tell David
Annce?'
oh, no, no, not" sobbed Anne. "Not that!"
Ma, AIMEE, AIMEE you mustn't cry sol therel~
and the young man stretched out his hand helps
lcssly
oh sir, its all the happiness Davids got an
he's goin' Oh, my lad my lad!
There, there, Anneel"
"We've been married fifty years this spring, an
every spring we've listened for the cuckoo, an not
missed. An this year he's dyin' an he's
wantin to hear it So an its oycreary. Oh, DAVE,
Davic," sobbcl aimee.
There, aimee there, dcry'' sootlcd the young
man; tell me about it. Wen see. AIMEE
There's no more said AIMEE "only he kept ask
in about things-vioots an cowsps an birch-trees
an popars-an knew all the time he was thinkin'
OF the cuckoo an not askin because he was goin'
an mighnt hear it. An orc day he did An
said thought he'd hear that very cvcnin' that
cverythin was ovcreary. Then he seemed happier
than I'd him, an I went off up the hill an
pracsed it till could do it lair. Oh, Davic, lad"
Now, AIMEE DEAR comiortcd the young man,
patng her hclplessly the back-"Annce dear,
don't cry; just tell me more
Then, sir, | sang the song in the corner OF the
garden, an when | went into the house there was
such look OF JOY Davids face that's not been
there for many month, an it matter Lowry
Priciard found me singin, Its the last happiness
give him. sir
81 sec" said tho young man; "ay, aimee, sec.
And you will be wishing do it again
"Ay, sir Dawes cxpecun to hear the cuckoo
Tonight. Each time might be hi last, an cannot
diSappoint him, poor lad"
"Wcl AIMEE said the minister looking shyly
out Of the window, "Ill be around the garden at
dusk watching, and thcrcW be no one to annoy you
while you are Singing sing your best for Davie"
oh, sir, thaui, you,' replied aimee. drying her
tears and signing with rcici; cts comfort. But
ycrc harmn Your conscience for me- sir, arc yc:"
Tin not saying, AIMEE; I'm ovcr-youug to have
conscience in some things III be going in to speak
few words to David shall ~
"Ay, sir, ycrc kind.
And it happened that at dusk, when Davids
eyes growing wider with expectation and his