They had left their window open to the moonlight, and it had flooded in upon them, but the dawn mystery without held aloof, veiled from sight like an Eastern bride. Thin grey vapours hung as a curtain before the open casement. Steven sat up, his pulses beating fast. He strained his ear; heard flutter of leaves, drip of dew, chirp of awakening birds ... then a faint strain of music that seemed as if it passed through a dream. The melody grew more distinct, though still subdued; it rose, softly plaintive; it was joyous and yet sad, secret and yet an appeal. And through it all there was a rhythm as of restless feet:—it was a melody of love, of farewell, of wandering. Fainter it grew, and was lost once more in the whispers of the woods. At last it was silent, yet still it seemed to sing.
A sudden pain gripped Steven's heart. He knew that Geiger-Hans had gone out of their lives for ever.
The End
The End
* * * * * * * *
THE PRIDE OF JENNICO
Being a Memoir of Captain Basil Jennico
By AGNES and EGERTON CASTLE
YOUNG APRIL