The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-30

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poor little May alone in the water. FL
thought she would be more frightened if b.
went out of sight, so he jumped over tn,
| wall aud hid himself.
Boat, boat !" echoed through the woods
and Duncan, running to answer the call
found gentleman in the boat, wishing t,
cross the river.
opposite bank, he meant to hurry back Il
May, but the gentleman told him be mus
go to his house, and carry back fishing
rod.
Duncan dared not refuse, bat he felt very
unhappy about his little sister, especially
as two whole hours passed before he re-
turned /; and very miserable he felt at last
He rushed down to the ford bnt no little
May dotted the surface of the broad river
Duncan was very mach frightened. He
knew May could not have come out alone.
Had che slipped off the stone and been
drowned 7 At this thought he thrust his
fingers distractedly through his red hair.
first. " May, May !" and his trembling
voice rose louder, till the rocks in the
woods threw back The name, as if mocking
him.
He ran up and down in restless fear, not
daring to go home, lest his mother should
inquire where May was. He climbed a
tree, and faucied he saw speck which
might be May, floating away on the rapid
river.
At last a horseman galloped past, and
alighted at the door of his mothers cottage.
1t was the doctor.
Duncan crept near, but did not venture
to enter. The few minutes that the doctor
was in the cottage appeared TO him as so
many hours. At last the doctor came out,
accompanied by Mr.. McHardy, when Dun
can summoned courage to sneak, with
beating heart, into the cottage.
Several women stood around the bed
where little May lay, pale and motionless
Duncan expected them to reproach him for
his unkindness and cruelty, but they did
not know he was the cause of their sorrow.
When his mother saw him, she cried, "Oh,
Duncan May was nearly drowned. Wien
her father went into the water to fetch her,
she tainted away. She must have been try
ing to cross at the ford"
"Will she die 2" stammered guilty,
pale faced Duncan.
81 hope not! 1 trust not, my boy the
doctor says she may soor be better. Pray
for her, for know you love her!"
Duncan could not say his prayers or
sleep that night till he told his mother how
wicked he had been and he promised that
if May recovered he would never treat her
cruelty again, but be gentle and kind to
his little sister.
1t was long time, however, before he
into practice; for May had fe-
YER, and lay several weeks scarcely expect
ed to live, while Duncan, much sadder
boy, fed the white rabbit, and ornamented
lts house, go that it might please and sur
prise his sister on her recovery. Proud
and happy he was, too, the first sunny day
May could be allowed out of doors. He
carried her in his arms like a baby; and,
placing her on a seat near the rabbit house,
displayed its beantiee, took out and fed the
pet, then coaxed the little creature to prac-
tice the pretty tricks he had taken great
pains to teach it.
Duncan and May were happy at last. He
zept his good resolution, for his was q Sc
7ere Lesson and little May, instead of hav-
ng tyrant over her, has had, ever since,
l very kind protector-just what an elder
brother ought to be.
Duncan is now strong man and May.
though full grown, is still "little May,n
and as fond of rabbits as ever.