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〃made up。〃 Like all romancers； she is a little terrified at
seeing one of her wildest conceits admitted by the hard…
headed world。 If our dream comes true； we are almost
afraid to believe it； for that is the best of all good fortune；
and nothing better can happen to any of us。
When the people on Sylvester Street tire of Tillie's
stories； she goes over to the east part of town； where her
legends are always welcome。 The humbler people of
Moonstone still live there。 The same little houses sit
under the cottonwoods； the men smoke their pipes in the
front doorways； and the women do their washing in the
back yard。 The older women remember Thea； and how
she used to come kicking her express wagon along the side…
walk； steering by the tongue and holding Thor in her lap。
Not much happens in that part of town； and the people
have long memories。 A boy grew up on one of those
streets who went to Omaha and built up a great business；
and is now very rich。 Moonstone people always speak of
him and Thea together； as examples of Moonstone enter…
prise。 They do； however； talk oftener of Thea。 A voice has
even a wider appeal than a fortune。 It is the one gift that
all creatures would possess if they could。 Dreary Maggie
Evans； dead nearly twenty years； is still remembered be…
cause Thea sang at her funeral 〃after she had studied in
Chicago。〃
However much they may smile at her； the old inhabi…
tants would miss Tillie。 Her stories give them something
to talk about and to conjecture about； cut off as they are
from the restless currents of the world。 The many naked
little sandbars which lie between Venice and the main…
land； in the seemingly stagnant water of the lagoons； are
made habitable and wholesome only because； every night；
a foot and a half of tide creeps in from the sea and winds
its fresh brine up through all that network of shining water…
ways。 So； into all the little settlements of quiet people；
tidings of what their boys and girls are doing in the world
bring real refreshment； bring to the old； memories； and
to the young； dreams。
THE END