Just David

stine Madonna, packing them neatly away in a box to be left. From beneath his bunk he dragged a large, dusty travel

ed wonder. Gradually into his eyes c

asked at last in a shaking voice,

; we're go

where we get ou

he other way. We go down i

valley, with th

a photograph in his hand. It had slipped in among the loose sheets of music, and

eyed him uncertai

res? You've never told me about any of them except the lit

an turned faraway eyes on t

ll love you! But you mustn't let them spoil you, s

me the man only turned back to the photograph, m

. His cheeks were very red, and his eyes very bright. He talked, too, almost constantly, though David could understand scarcely a word of what was said. Later, the man caught up his violin and played; and never before had David heard his father play like that. The bo

g him to get ready for breakfast. The little room, dismantled of its decorations, was bare and cold. The bag, cl

It's a long tramp bef

? Do we go in those?" D

es

t all we're

Hurry,

ome back-

was no

ack-sometime?" David's

trap that was already quite tight

ck sometime, David. Only think o

cked up the bag and the violins, and went out into the sweet freshness of the morning. As he fastened the door the man s

's stay here," he cried ardently, dr

" And the man led the way acro

o ease the burden of the bag. Very soon the forest lay all about them, with the birds singing over their heads, and with numberless tiny feet scurrying through the underbrush o

e trees, the sun, the brook, the scurrying little creatures of the forest, all were friends of h

e had increased until now it was a torture. He had forgotten that the way to the valley was so long; he had not realized how nearly spent was his strength befor

in a still, black pool. The next morning the man and the boy picked up the trail again, but without the

ng in it that we really need, you know, now that I've taken ou

that." And he laughed again, for pure joy

a road. Still later they came to where four ways crossed, and two of them bore the marks of many wheels. By sundown

tle had been in a voice that was thick and unnatural-sounding. He was walking fast, yet David noticed that every step seemed an effort, and that every breath came in short gasps. His eyes were very bright, and were fixedly bent on the road ahead, as if ev

and the boy carrying the violins. As it chanced, there was no one in sight when the man

ang quick

at is it? W

was no

you speak to me?

ething seemed to stir him into feverish action. With shaking fingers he handed David his watch and a small ivory miniature. Then he

vid, until you-need them," panted

. Besides, I'd rather stay with you," he added soothingly, as he slipped the watch and the min

feebly, and pointed a

hide them," he chat

egan picking up the money an

utly, as the last bit of gold slipped out of sight, and a

had passed, the boy turned again to his father. The man was fumbling once more in his pockets. This time from his c

to eat, while far, far up on the mountain-side was their own dear home sad and lonely without them. Up there, too, the sun still shone, doubtless,-at least there were the rose-glow and the Silver Lake to look at, while down here there w

feet. One of the straggling houses was near the road where they sat, and its presence had given David an idea. With sw

er had taught him to do when one

her is so tired he fell down back there, and we should lik

Her eyes swept the plain, rather rough garments of the boy, then sought the

she scouted. "Humph! We don't accommodate tra

efused. He knew that. A fierce something rose within him-a fierce new something that sent the swift red to his neck and brow. He r

indly, "if you're hungry I'll give you some milk and bread. Go around

m refuse to take food from this woman.... But there was his father-his poor father, who was so tired; and there was his own stomach cl

ney for his food. David was glad, now, that he had those gold-pieces in his pocket, for he could pay money. Instantly his head came up. Once more erect with sel

y, please, for the bread a

he money, she started, and bent closer to examine it. The nex

well as a tramp? Humph! Well, I guess you don't need this then," she fini

on the doorstep, with the sound of

ried to steal the violins from the cabin; and he was a thief, the milk-boy said. David flushed now

quick! You must co

ing hands he thrust the notes he had been writing into his pocket. The little book, from which

" muttered the man. "I fe

dozen, twenty steps. From behind came the so

ing to the villag

he did not know; he knew only that it must be somewhere away from th

yself. Want a lift?" ask

yfully. And together they aided his fat

zed and rested. The boy sat, wistful-eyed and silent, watching the trees and houses flit by. The sun had long ago set, but it was no

ff to the right; but 't ain't more 'n a quarter of a mile for you, now" he

vid gratefully, steadying his father's s

ining gold-pieces as payment for this timely aid. But caution held him back: i

tences that David could not understand, and that vaguely troubled him. There was a house near by, and several others down the road toward the village; but David had had all the experience

get in," he proposed softly. "An