The Lamar register., 1921-01-05
CHAPTER XIV.
The song Of a Thrush.


and each cradle housing a lusty baby;
the weak gone back 10 earth, the ht
that survive beginning TO test wing
aud claw Streams and woodland
pools grow languid with millions mat
ing. Each leaf has reached It's maxi
mum of lung expansion. The trees
breathe deep. The forest has settled
down seriously 10 the business OF fui
filling lis promises. Cocoon and chrys
alis have opened aud huug forth theii
ylltterlng mysteries. Furnished bodies
and gauzy wings glance and glitter
through yellow sunshine and soft
shade. Ike iakes Of star dust sitting
down out OF the sky.
But II the woods have many cradles
they also have many graves. There
was a new one this placid June evening
at Fallen Rock--a new one beside the
.,ne that was almost new. There were
orchids upon them both. A tnen and
a maid had together hunted the woods
for them. only such as they could
have found so many. Only to her fav.
orltes does nature show the way 10 hei
treasures.
The stanrh old Boss aud hard-faced
Bull Masterson were back st theii
vsts and clam rakes. Billy's grand.
mother was staying al the cabin OF
me three gables c few days for com
pany.
The Pea rlhunter came from the VII
lage In the still evening. Along the
dim. slim path through the woods he
came against the face Of the sunset.
The swing and spring Of master or
men YVES ia his stride for he carried
in his pocket u Telegram addressed to
a man with a name al last, 10 David
wulr warbritton. The telegram told
OF two fortunes awaiting down the
river OF houses and lands, and advis-
ing that Judge Eskridge was OIL his
way.
Near the turn OF thr path he stopped
and stood listening. The song Of
thrush was cha rTning the silence. Only.
the song carried certain delicious
elusive witchery that No bird throaI
ever knew. He stole along the path.
stopped and stood with barred head.
Upon the fiat rock al the pool stood
the Wild Rose. the tears running down
the magic Of song. A lady cardinal
perched upon her shoulder. A king
cardinal fidgeted and twlrched bis crest
on AL overhanging twig that almost
brushed her hair. A pair o, shy
thrushes hutt-red and Hltted in reach
OF her hand. Other birds walked up
and down nearby branches. or dsrted
down for Il hurried peck al the crumbs
she had scattered over the rock.
The tears drowned the blue: the
song ceased The birds riuttered away
one by one The girl bowed her head
and sto2d with clssped hands. gazing
down NJ the quiet water.
The mans step reused her. She
turned. aud her hands uncIasped as II
to reach toward him-but Instantly
ella sped themselves again. He turned
from the path. stepped out ON the rock
and came to her side. A moment her
eyes met his, and then went back 10
the placid water and she stood crying
softly
She turned back 10 him after q time,
a poor little halr-drowned smile strug.
gled out and brought suggestion OF
lhc uihlhrs pa'h
81 had to tell them" SHE said
at was wonderful" he answered
very softly. as IL his voice might dis
turb the spell Of The music before the
echoes had finished carrying II TO the
| rest Of the woods.
The leaves hung motlonless, as II
whiting for the song TO start again.
| The tinkle Of the rifle where the Wa
| Ter walked up at the lower edge Of the
pool came out Of the silence.
The telegram came" he went on
after long time. at says"-he
hesitated. as II pondering the next
words before giving Them speech, as
| II half dreading 10 give them speech
that Judge Eskrldge is coming for
| you"
The word. strangely carried the
| girls thoughts back 10 a mother driven
forth to die in Loneliness and poverty
| to a grave Oh a hill overlooking the
| river, where the hand OF friend bad
laid her: TO great, silent house: TO
stern old man relenttng In his last
| hours
81 shant go back with him" she
! sald. Some day III 60 back TO the