Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-09-28
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THE LIGHTHOUSE
BY MILDRED WHITE

rupted. He could work on the book,
which was the effort OF his life. The
urge to write had been with the light
house keepers son while he was a
lad at school. Even then bright
dreams persisted, fostered by the lone
ly life he led, when reading was his
only pastime
Sandy, his Scotch father, would
smile whimsically as he read the titles
of the books that Bruce rode so far
to obtain. Unlike boys reading were
these classics and tales of yore.
"Youu have to follow me at the
lights. Laddy," the old man remind
ed; but the son who had come late
to gladden. his fathers departing days.
listened absently from his place be-
fore the fire, and read on.
Now. the father was forever gone
and Bruce 1t seemed, was, indeed,
fated 10 carry on the lights In his
stilted environment he had learned
no other trade-and the perpetrating
of his dream kept him content.
Dark nights when the light like Il
great pointing hand sent its warning
across the seethng water, Bruce, his
dark hair rumpled his tine brOwS
drawn In thought, sat absorbed in the
tower, his flying fingers writing, writ
ing. Far down at fashionable sum
mer hotel a girl one night glimpsed
the high tower as its great silvery
finger Caressed her hair, showing her
for moment a white vision, lovely
and wistful Il would like" said this
girl to man beside her, ito ride out
across the sea some day and touch
my boat 10 the shores of the light
Maybe" she smiled up ut him, I'd
like to stay there until | should find
myself"
The man returned her smile lazily.
"Are we 80 distracting? Or Is It
that you are weary Of my impOrtun-
ity? As for finding yourself | think
that If you would not further ques-
ton but yield to wisdom and the love
unconsciuusly pleading within, our
happiness need not wait"
as il pleading?' her tone was rue
full. ~ do not know. | alone realize
discomfort"
She arose lmpatienuy. "Good
night"
with an angry scowl the man
looked after her James Ivor was UNI
accustomed to the thwarting of his
will, and ne had willed that Camelia
Carroll should be his wife
The morning sun was shining when
Cumelia steered her little bout de
liberately across the dancing waters.
Bruce was busy over his book lie
did not hear the tap of Camella's slip
pered feet as she climbed the spirGt
stairs So his first sight of her was
MS she stood In the tower doorway.
"Oh, | did not expect murmured
Camelia, distressed. TO find anyone
here. An old man USED to keep the
light years ago when | was a little
girl. 1t was all so still then and rest
full, used 70 come, sometimes, alone
up this stair III 20 down now" she
added hastily
But Bruce came slowly toward her.
Please ne said wonderingly, and
that was all But Camellu promptly
and properly translated the request.
He wanted her TO remain. 1t was
strange Stranger stln, that he SO
reticent, should unasked, pour out to
her the story Of his ambition neces-
snrlly restrained should show to her
the book itself. She seemed to have
known that 1t would be that kind Of
book, strong and fine.
llc rode back with her in the noon
hour She was comparing the direct
appeal Of Bruce MacDonalds eyes
against the shrewd CLINT OF James
Iyors.
- um glad | came, she said sud.
denly "lt has helped me IN de-
cisiou.' Cameliu's smile was per
picked Though I cannot tell in
what way" She added.
Bruce lifted her gently yet with an
mir of possession over the side of the
boat "a shore You will come again, "
he said His words were not Ques-
tlou but joyous assurance She stood
looking up at him
Tonight" she remarked irrelevant
". Il win watch your signal across
the sea, ana / will rhink of YOU there
behind the light You win be writing
your book You are near the end |
wonder how II will end. Perhaps.
sometime. YOU Vill tell me"
81 Will tell you now" The young
man answered grayely 81 did not
realize until today that the story of
love must AWAY, end happily Hap
piness is loves natural right. Love
finds its own Bruce Macdonald
put out his hand Cumelia chung to il.
And I" ne said, "Will come 10 you
when my book duds success"
She watched her uttle boat until it
showed like she'll ou the ocean.
Watching she smiled
lie has forgotten. unused Cameua,
that &c is my boat and that he viii
have 60 bring It back in the morning
Turning She looked up into another
face calm confident. but TO the girl
now as The face of stranger
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