Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-11-05
CHAPTER Xxx.


| CHAPTER Xxx.
Wh>rsIn the LimbsrIost Sings For
Ammon.
I@LNORA lifted the violin and be-
Hh gan to play. She wore school
I'LL dress Of green gingham, with
lS the sleeves rolled to the elbows.
She seemed part Of the setting all
around her. Her head shone like a
small dark sun, and her face never had
seemed 80 rose flushed and fair. From
the instant she drew the bow her lips
parted and her eyes fastened on some
thing far away in the swamp, and nev-
er did she give more Of that impression
Of feeling for her notes and repeating
something audible only to her. Am
mon was too near to get the best effect
He arose and stepped back several
yards, leaning against a large tree.
looking and listening with all his SOUL
As he changed positions he saw that
Mrs. Comstock had followed them and
was standing on the trail, where she
could not have helped hearing every
thing Elnora had said. So to Ammon
before her and the mother watching
on the trail Elnora played the song OF
the Limberlost. To the man 1t was
q revelation. He stood 80 stunned he
forgot Mrs. Comstock. He tried to
realize what great city audience
would say to that music from such
player with like background, and he
could not imagine.
He was wondering what he dared
say. how much he might express. when
the last note fell and the girl laid the
violin In the case, closed the door.
locked 1t and hid the key in the rotting
wood ut the end of log. Then she
came to him. Ammon stood looking at
her curiously.
IT wonder" he said. what people
would say to that"
II did 1t In public once" said Elnora.
II think they liked 1t fairly we'll !
had q note yesterday Offering ME thu
leadership of the high school orchestra
In Onabasha. would gladly play for
nothing Just to be able to express my
self"
"Give up the college idea," said Am
mon. "Your mind does no II that
sort Of development. 1t is fa. past It,
"Do you really mean that you would
give up all idea OF goi2s, to college, II
you were mer'
"If you could only realize It. my girl.
you are in college. aid have been al.
ways. You are In the school OF ex.
perience, and 1t has taught you 10
think, and given you heart. God
knows l envy the man who wins It!
| wouldn't even advise you to read
too many books OH your lines. You
get your stuff first hand. aud you
know that you are right. What you
| should do Is to begin early to practice
self expression. Don't wait too long
| to tell US about the woods as you know
them"
Not until then did he remember that
| Mrs. Comstock was somewhere very
| near.
Should we 60 out to the trail and
see II your mother Is comingT he
asked.
Here she Is now" said Elnora.
@Gracious, It's a mercy l got that
violin put away in time! ] didn't ex'
pect her so soon." whispered the girl,
as she turned and went toward her
mother. Mrs. Comstocks face was
study as she looked at Elnora.
"Have you found anything yetT she
asked.
Nothing that I can show you," said
| Elnora. Il am not sure but have
found an idea that will revolutionize
the whole course OF my work. thought
and ambitions"
".Ambitionsr My, what a. hefty
wordw laughed Mrs. Comstock i
guess we better let ambition lie. I've
always heard 1t was safest asleep. II
you ever get bonafide attack. II will
be time to attend 1t. Let's hunt speci-
mems. 1t is June. Philip and / are IN
the grades. What is the miracle OF
June3 What one thing epitomizes the
whole month";"
''The birth of these big night moths"
said Elnora promptly.
Ammon clapped his hands. The
tears started to Mrs. Comstock's eyes.
She took Elnora In her arms and kiss
ed her forehead
you'll DOR she said. Find the
distinctive feature Of each mouth, the
one thing which marks It time apart.
can't name all Of them offhand,
but think Of one more right now.
February belongs to our winter birds.
You should hear those musicians OF
this swamp in February, Philip. on q
mellow night. Oh, but they are In
earnesti For twenty-one years I've lis
tened by night to the great owls, all
the smaller sizes, the foxes, coons and
every resident left in these woods. and
by day to the hawks, yellowhammers.
sapsuckers, titmice, crows and all our
winter birds. It's about the best
music we have I just wonder II you
couldn't copy that alone and make
a strong. original piece out OF 1t for
your violin, ElnoraT
There was one tense breath, then-I
could try" said Elnora simply.
Ammon rushed to the rescue. I'VE
must 70 to work." he said, and began
examining a walnut branch for Luna
moth eggs. EInora Joined him while
Mrs. Comstock drew her embroidery
| from her pocket and sat on log. She
said she was tired; they could come for
her when they were ready to 90. She
| could hear their voices all around her
uatil she called them at supper time
Whea they came to her she stood walt
| ing Oh, the trail. the sewing In one
hand, the violin in the other. Elnora
became. very white. but took the trail
| without d word. Ammon. unable to
see woman carry heavier load than
he. reached for the instrument Mrs.
Comstock shook her head. She carried
the violin home, took 1t into her room
and closed the door. Elnora turned to
] Ammon. -