Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-10


bandages out Of the chest tear up
a shirt if there isn't anything else
handy"
II was a minute or two before Eph
could concentrate his strength on the
act of opening his eyes. Then all
was mist--a mist OF pain for he
was conscious Of q terrible ache some.
where. But presently he saw apatch
Of the cabin floor with sunlight play
ing on it, and knew, though he did
not see them, that group Of men
were gathered about the door. Hanny
was by the fireplace feeding her
grandfather something out of a bowl
Where was he ? Who was supporting
him With this thought Eph feebly
directed his gaze upward until it rest
ed on Bessie's face. She was holding
his head i'll her lap, and he saw that
a little pearly tear was stealing down
her cheek. In an electric flash all the
past came back to him.
What has happened to me ?" He
motioned out the words rather than
spoke, for his tongue and lips seemed
made Of cast iron.
"You got hurt, Epb,' and the tears
dropped down on his face Z; but
not much. You won't die, Eph,
you're so young and strong. Father
says it isn't a mortal wound, and he is
a kind Of natural bone setter
There were other questions in
Eph's eyes, to which he could not
give voice.
"Thc soldiers came from the fort"
Bessie went on, 'just as the fire got
under way and was about to smother
us all, They drove off the redskins
and are now chasing them through the
woods, only a few that staid to help
father put out the flames. But you
saved US, Eph, when you held them
back from breaking down the door
Not any OF us are hurt, Father didn't
get a scratch. Oh, what miserable
coward | was | could do nothing
to help; but you, Eph-you would
have given your life to save us"
Bessie's face Quivered, and she GOV
cred it with her trembling hand. Eph
never removed from her his eyes.
His gaze was profound, searching, in
scrutable, going down INTO the very
depths OF her being. With all his
impetuosity, there was in him some
thing of the deep reticenco Of the say
age.
DO you want me to live p he said
at last. And then he added slowly,
Il don't want TO live any longer after
what you told me the other day. You
couldn't like an ignorant fellow
brought up like q bears cub in the
bush
y painful crimson tide swept over
Bessics neck and cheek. "Eph,' said
she, Il was foolish, silly girl, not
worthy ofyou. This day has taught
me the value of a brave, true man.
Then she bent her head lower, and ad-
led, in 4 whisper, You are dearer to
me than life, and must have been
owing you all the time
Eph's face was transfgured, He
out his hand. Bessie under
stood the motion, and clasped it in
hers. Then, with q great sense Of
weakness coming over him, he fell
asleep.
Eben was examining the old man for
,he third or fourth time to see that
10 was uninjured. "llearty, amt
,oI, father; only little shook
lp ?"
The old man smiled vaguely. 81
Knew you'd take care OF me, Eben.
l on always held to your word.
"Well, Celindy," to Mrs. Gardner,
Who had been waiting on the soldiers,
giving them such supplies Of food as
he had at hand, "you was right about
he redskins after all. | shall stick
~ the shanty, though. Me and the
I'D man, We'll stay, and Hanny too, l
guess. That girl, she's worth her
weight in wildcats. But if you feel
cary about staying, you might go
md stop a while with your sister Dor
as until we get cleared up a little
more. can't breathe in thicker
ettled place than this. | must have
OTIS of fresh air and now I've fit the
indians and overcome, I've drove down
he stake for good long SPELL
"The Lord has given us great de-
iverance," said Mrs. Gardner. ut