The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-01-17

the washed face OF Rannie Klrsted,
who stood on the lawn below. Come
on out, jamie. Mamma says can stay
outdoors an play TIL half past g."
Jane shook her head. Il can't. I
emit go outside the house TIL tomor-
row It's because we walked after
Willie with our stummIcks out O.
joint"
cant you come out at allT Rannie
urged. Go ask your mother Tell
her.
How can ~" Jane inquired. with a
little heat, when she isn't here to ask
She's gone out to play cards. she and
papa"
Rannie swung her foot "well," she
said. IL guess haf TO find somep'n to
do. G'nightr'
With head bowed in thought she
moved away. Jane. on her part, left
the window and went to the open front
door. Conscientiously. she did not
cross the threshold, but restrained her
self to looking out On the steps OF
the porch sat william alone. his back
toward the house.
"wnlie." said Jane softly. and, as he
made no response. she lifted her voice
q little. "Will-eer'
"Whatchwantr' he grunted. not NOV
ing.
willie. told mamma I was sorry
made you feel so bad"
"All rightr he returned curtly.
"Well. when I haf to go to bed, VIII
lie." she said. mamma told me be-
cause made you feel bad haf to go
upstairs by myself tonight"
She paused. seeming to hope that he
would say something, but he spake not.
"Willle. I don't hat to go for awhile
yet. but when do-maybe in about a
half an hour-I wish you'd come stand
at the foot OF the stairs till I get up
there. The lights lit upstairs. but
down around here It's kind Of dark"
He did not answer
"Will you. WillieT
"Oh. all rightr' he said.
This contented her. and she seated
herself so quietly upon the floor just
inside the door that he ceased to be
aware Of her. thinking she had gone
away. He sat staring vacantly into
the darkness, which had come on with
that abruptness which begins to be
noticeable In September. His elbows
were on his knees, and his body was
sunk far forward In an attitude OF des.
olatiOn
The small noises of the town-that
town so empty tonight-fell upon his
ears mockingly. II seemed to him In
credible that so hollow town could
go about its nightly affairs just as
usual. A man and woman going by
laughed loudly at something the man
had said The sound of their laughter
was horrid TO William And from a
great distance-from far out in the
country-there came the faint. long
drawn whistle OF an engine.
That was the sorrowfulest sound OF
all to William. His lonely minds eye
sought the Vastly spaces Of the east
crossed prairie and river and hill to
where long train whizzed onward
through the dark. farther and farther
and farther away. William uttered
sigh so hoarse. so deep from the tombs.
so prolonged. that Jane. who had been
relaxing herself at full length opon
the floor. sat up straight with a jerk
But she was wise enough not to speak.
Now the full moon came masquerad-
ing among the branches of the shade
trees Ii came in the likeness OF al
enormous football gloriously orange.
GOrgeously II rose higher cleared the
trees aud resumed its wonted imper-
,nuation Of silver disk Here was
inother mockery What was the use
4 n moon now
There came from little distance
Town the street the sound OF a young
male voice. singing. II was not mu-
steal voice. vet sufficiently loud. and
II knew only a portion OF the words
aud air il sought TO render; but, upon
completing the portion IL did know. II
instantly began again and sang that
portion over and over with brightest
patience. Thus:
MY countree, tits OF thee.
Sweet land OF liber-tee.
My cOuntree, It's of thee,
Sweet land OF liber-tee.
My countree. tits of thee,
Sweet land OF liber-tee.
My countree. 'tis OF thee.
Sweet land OF liber-tee.
My countree. It's
Jane spoke unconsciously. Its Fred
die" she said.
William leaped 10 his feet This was
something he could not bear He made
a bloodthirsty dash toward the gate,
which the singer was passing.
"You get out o. here" William roared.
The song stopped Freddie Banks
ted like rag on the wind
Now here Is strange matter
The antique prophets Drophesied sue
cessfully; they practiced with some
ease that art since lost. but partly re
discovered by NJ Maeterlinck, who
proves to us that the future already
exists. simultaneously with the pres
ent Well II his proofs be true, then
at this very momeht when william
thought menacingly af Freddie Banks.
the bright air OF happy June evening
An aVapinU nrdina rflv raolnnai fan