A Song of a Single Note: A Love StoryBarr, Amelia E.
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A Song of a Single Note: A Love Story
Barr, Amelia E.
Fiction; Love stories
But Harry turned to his father a face full of love and gratitude. The
youth's self-control was complete, for his disdain of the whole
proceeding was both breastplate and weapon to him. He was bare-headed
and with the wind in his hair and the sunlight in his eyes he went
swinging onward to the song of victory he heard in his own heart. By the
side of his father's massive contour and stern countenance, Harry looked
like some young Michael, bright-faced and fearless.
Now and then a taunt was hurled at the lad, and occasionally a jibe far
more tangible, but of neither missile did he show the least
consciousness. The presence of his father touched the rudest heart. He
removed his hat when he saw his son's uncovered head, and his grey hairs
evoked far more pity than contempt. When they passed through the
fashionable residence streets, the sympathy was even remarkable; windows
were thrown up, handkerchiefs fluttered, and now and then a shrill
little _"bravo!"_ made Harry look up and catch the influences of pity
and admiration that women, young and lovely, and women, old and wayworn,
rained down on him. As Medway predicted, the crowd melted away long
before the barrier was reached, for the mood of mischief was not in it.
The fifes screamed and the drums beat, but could not summon the devilish
spirit of mob violence, and Harry Bradley's tramp to the Rogue's March
was a much more quiet and orderly affair than the Police Court intended
it to be.
At the barrier the gate was flung open, and, in the midst of a
fanfaronade of discordant sounds and scornful shouts Harry was hustled
outside. But his father had found opportunity to give him gold and to
tell him a negro was waiting with a swift horse behind the gates; and
just at the last moment, amid the scoffing and jeering of the soldiers,
he put his arms about his son's neck and kissed and blessed him. He had
drunk the shameful cup to the dregs with the lad, and he turned to the
little gathering a face that awed them. As one man they moved aside to
let him pass, and for a few moments watched him, as, with a mighty
stride he took the road homeward. For he looked beyond his nature large
and commanding, and he walked as if moved by some interior force that
was beyond his control. Men gazed at him with awe and pity, but no one
ventured to speak to him.
As he approached his home the inner momentum that had carried him
without let or hinderance at a marvelous speed seemed to fail; he
faltered, looked round wearily, and then stumbled forward, as if he had
charged his spirit for the last mile of life. When he reached his gate
he could not open it, and Agnes ran out to help him; speech was
impossible, but with a pitiful glance he let her lead him into the
house. Leaning on her, he stumbled forward until he reached the sofa,
then, with a great cry he fell backward.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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