The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-15

SSSo~s sS 6AOoaoS uS SOWPleXlOH was f0oolef and
more boyish than ever, and his lips, usually firm in
speech. seemed uncertain. But the large hand with
which he held Annee's was warm and kind. In the
clean kitchen he began to talk with AIMEE about
David-howw was David? what did the physician saw
wasn't AIMEE growing tired7 what could he dor
Suddenly the young pastor changed as If brought
face to face with a disasreeable duty.
"Annee they say you are initiating q cuckoo; il
it so
"Ay, sir, for David's ears"
But. AIMEE. that is acting q lie, is it not!"
ut may be-" replied AIMEE, YEARLY.
"Wouldnt it be better If I were to tell David.
Annee?"
"Oh. no. no, mop sobbed Anne. "Not thatr'
INA, AIMEE, AIMEE, you mustn't cry so; there!"
and the young man stretched out his hand heln.
lessly.
"oh. sir. it's all the happiness David's got, an
he's soin'. Oh. my lad. my lad!"
There, there, Annee!"
We've been married fifty years this spring, an
every spring we've listened for the cuckoo. an not
one missed. An this year he's dyin,, an he's .
wantin' to hear it 50, an it's overearly. Oh, Davie,
Davie," sobbed AIMEE.
There, AIMEE there, deoy!' soothed the young
man; tell me about it. Well see, AIMEE"
There's no more" said AIMEE, "only he kept ask
in about things-violets an cowslips an birch-trees
an popfsrs-an' I knew all the time he was thinkin'
of the cuckoo an not askin' because he was soin'
an mightnt hear it. An ore day he did. An I
said ! thought he'd hear one that very eveniu', that
e%verythin' was o~verearly. Then he seemed happier
than I'd seen him, an I went off up the hill an
~practised it till I could do it fair. Oh. Davie, lad!"
"Now. AIMEE deor," comforted the young man.
pattins her helplessly on the b~aek-"Annee dss,,
don't cry; just tell me more"
Then, sir. ] sang the song in the corner of the
HaFdAN an UuhA0 I uyaok sot4 49, h>ss.> a.. ..-
such a look Of Joy on David's face that's not been
there for many a month, an it was no matter Lowry
Priehard found me singin'. It's the last happiness I
can give him, SIR
4 see" said the young man; FAY. AIMEE. I see.
And you will be wishing to do it .sainl"
"Ay. sir, Davies ~expeetin' to hear the cuckoo
tonight. Each time might be his last an I cannot
disappoint him, poor lad"
well, AIMEE" said the minister, looking shyly
out Of the window, "IIl be around the garden At
dusk watching. and there'l be no one to annoy you
while you are singing, so sing your best for Davie."
Oh, sir, thank you" replied AIMEE. drying her
tears and signing with relief; Its a comfort. But
ye're no harmin' your conscience for me, sir. are ye!"
I'm not saying. AIMEE; I'm over-youns to have =
conscience in some things. I'll be going in to speak
. few words to David, shall II"
"Ay, sir, ye're so kind.
And 50 it happened that 1t duck, when Dsviid's
eyes were growing wider with expectation and his
heart was beating for very joy Of the coming song.
fashion. snnoothed his e~oyerlets, called him "Iad
door" and "deafie," and "Davie," and all the sweet
old names she knew 50 we'll how to call hin-eo it
Fighter heart to sing than she had had in many .
day. She knew the young minister was somewhere
around to protect her from interruption. Standing
and fro, she sang. The song came again and again.
low, sweet, far away, till all the hill seemed Ginning
with the quiet notes and echoes. And the young
side the garden, knew something more Of tie power
Of love than he had known before; and he bowed
bis head. thinking Of the merry notes and Of David
and over again. then over and over again. till Beyond
the valley she saw the evening star hanging in the
sky. Once more she sang. and oil the spring was In
heart beating with fear. As she came through the
doorway she heard her name called:
AIMEE. sweetheart. did ye hear the euekoos
singin'?"
David was sitting up in bed. his hand. stretched
"Ay, lad dear" replied AIMEE. softly. taking David
"An' there were so many, an'they sang over an
"Ay, David"
"But ye were no here, an I like hearin' them bet
ter with ye here"
"a" "Ay de.rie, ! was. . busy"
"Ay, lad, ! know"
An over an over again. like this" But David's
notes tr.iled away as he started to sing.
"Ay. dearie. l see"
"An' The
voice ceased. for q second the pulse in his throat
licked sharply against her heart. then his head set
tied drowsily upon her breast.
"Oh. lad. lad, dedr-Davier' called Annie, rocking
him in her arms-"lad. lad dsor, will ye no speak
to mel"
And the young minister. stepping in over the
threshold. saw that the Messenger had come.
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