The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-05-27
ST. AlBAN'S BELLS
ny CLEANER n. JOHNSON

SeeeSSes99esS9sscs
90 isfe ~ Mcclure Newspaper synd,eatsb
Among the many cities. towns and
villages scattered over the world there
Il not one which does not have some
particular Characteristic. some custom
which makes II apart from all others.
Il Is the little village 81 ST. Alhans.
situated among the brcad. sioplng hills
OF New England. which will perhaps
bring out this spirit most clearly. for
about It's quaint custom the romance
of Anne Bryce and John Cameron l.
woven.
ON the slope behind Sc Adams
stnnis n small church. and by Its door.
way one may read bronze tablet
stating that In 1895 the church VA.
ercc'ed by n certain Charles Long.
worth In memory OF his son. who died
for the Northern cause IN 1851. A.
Of work and inspection he viii tell
you that whenever any fcstivIty takes
place In the village II was the wish OF
the founder that the bells In the Ivy.
covered tower be rung.
Many times the bells had pealed
forth while Whitehead brides had
slipped elusiveiy away with their hus-
bands, and II was on such an occasion
when the minister's son had been mar.
ried that Anne Bryce and John Cam.
eron were sitting on n grassy Rnoii
overlooking the village.
The Klondlke calls me tomorrow,
Anne he said gently. Then looking
townri the Northwest. What a land
OF promisel What shall ! not be able
Ia do for you when I returnl And
then u win be but year or so before
am back againl"
But a year or So" Anne murmured
"But, perhaps the next time the bells
OF Sc. Adams ring Il viii be for you
and me. Anne"
The sun was setting. They rose and
walked slowly down into the village.
The next morning John Cameron. de
parted for the Klondike. and. as the
train slowly drew out from the station.
Anne waved a goodbye with her hand
kerchief. then quickly rubbing her eyes
she went home to walt "for a year or
So"
Three years had passed. aud Anne
Bryce's pretty little cottage seemed
10 reflect the very atmosphere OF the
July day. The front gate creaked, and
a tall. good-natured looking man
stalked up the path. Anne was sitting
on the piazza Smelling peas.
"Aiornin'. thought I'D come 20 talk
n little bit. do you mind, Amer
"oh. Joe. Of course I don't mind. SIT
down"
Joe stretched his long legs the
length Of the steps, ate two or three
green peas and then asked:
Heard anything from joint when's
he coming or isn't he coming at allr"
She sighed. I'm waiting. Joe.
haven't heard anything about him
since he left. except that one letter he
wrote just before he got 60 Alaska
but I believe he Is safe. and ! will
hiNugs httH " Wy ltVhAAat hAoA ~
be here when he came homer
"Umphi Anne. n he doesn't come
back pretty soon do you think you
could ever look my wnyf"
"No, Tn sorry. Joe. but I nid
would wait. and the bells Of 81. Adams
haven't rung since be went away. lie
hoped they would ring for Us when
he returned. and I know they WILL"
And she set the dish OF shelled peas !
down with a thud as II 90 emphasize
her determination. Joe arose awk.
wardly.
swell. must be a-goln': perhaps |
you may consider my proposal some |
time. Anne" And he sauntered on
disappointed.
IF I didn't have any more to do
than 90 sit on folks doorsteps and pro-
pose I declare would" Anne en-.
claimed as she BUSTED about In the
kitchen, aud then stopped short and
turned around for she saw a shadow
fall across the doorway.
A very different sort Of man stood /
before her now; pale. tired and bag.
CARED looking. his face partly covered
by a long beard. while his hair was
streaked with gray. For moment
Anne looked startled. then with a III.
tie cry she fairly flew 90 him.
John. I waited oh. 80 long. but
you are here now. II all seems too
good 20 be truel'
"Yes-Anne. here I am. haven't
brought back what hoped I could.
goodness knows, but, In spite Of that.
perhaps"-and as he loolc'' down Into
her face-"Yes. surely M Ills o. 81.
Adams will ring for Us ~ they never
have rung beforei"
A Fair Exchange.