Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-06-10

But another piercing cry broke IN, ant
Halls eyes met the shouters in an agon!
of appeal.
Hes losing hold Save my boy, toor
groahed the Squire; and Gallowses tool
one more sweeping look at Halls corner
of the hungry looking hole. How the
current underneath dragged at anything
it carried through. But once more he
crawled toward the treacherous edge
lie was near enough to throw to Hal
but the thin ice snapped and bent. II
would never hold them both.
Throw me a line from the sleigh. y
Trembling hands obeyed. Tying one
end to what he held, he flung back the
other towards thicker ice
"Catch it, some of YOU and then he
threw jackct-sleeve to Hal He grasped
stifiiy at it; could he hold it? Yes; and
with one desperate struggle for life he
gained the ice. 1t bent and snapped, but
they Were dragging at the other end
dragging bravely now. He was safe
but another cry rose up. The thin shelf
of ice that broke as Hal climed up was
all that had held Gallowses from the
hungry, rushing stream, and Miss Judy )
boy was out of sight.
"Why, what upon airth:' said Deacon
Baybery, peeping through the mill win
dow as the cry rose soho! Mischief,
and the Squire after 'cm!' and the dea-
con laughed softly to himself set up an
other psalm tune, and then peeped
through the window again. What was
that yellow, cleaning thing just taking
the smooth leap downward over the dam:
Miss Pophurst had thought about short
hair of late, and Gallowses' hat had been
fitting tight over crispy, golden curls.
Ginger" exclaimed the deacon, and
in one instant he was in the water, ready
to meet what he had seen shining as it
came.
When Squire Philips saw it, few
minutes later, lying before Deacon Bay
berry, little "scttii room fire, his start
would have electrified the deacon if
thoughts, hands and hot blankets had
not been busy with Gallowscs. 1t seemed
the very same delicate clcar-cut face, the
same golden head he used to stand wor-
shipfully over when he came home from
sea twenty years ago.
"Who is the child he asked, al
most fercely.
"Gallowses," answered Bob Aylmer.
"lou-," began the Squire, but the
deacon interrupted: Here, take that
gcwgaw off; it hendcrs,' and the Squire
drew blue ribbon from Gallowses neck.
What was that bright thing hanging
from it: \ locket: Had not the Squire
seen that locket before: He had it open
at last, fair face looked yeaningly
forth, and the Squire gave a great cry
that made the Deacon drop everything
this time. Nelly my own 10 st Nelly
| knew had lost her, but have | killed
her too: The Deacon turned TO the bed
again. The Lord was working on the
Squirc-Hallelujah-but his business
was with GallowseS; and in another hour
the brown eyes were peacefully following
him as he went in and out, finishing the
psalm-tune begun in the mill. Sudden
" the Deacon shot u look back into them
again.
did you think that that com-husk
thickness of ice was going to hold you
and Hal at the same mortal minute of
time" he asked.
\ faint smile passed over Gallowsos
face.
That was nothing; and | was to be
good and brave for her sake.
For whose sake; Whose child are
YOU: What's your name: broke in the
Squire.
"For hers ! And my name is Phil; that
was for my grandfather; Philip Phillips
was his name, but he was lost long
ago
You" began the Squire again,
and then snatching the little figure out Of
the deacon's blankets and shawls, he held
it in his strong arms. sobbing like baby
with his face held softly against Gallow-
ses curls.
Miss Pophursts door was locked that
afternoon, for she had gone three miles
away; but when she returned, with q
little dive into her pocket for the Key
there stood the Squire, pacing the door
step with his quarterback tread. Miss
Pophurst! must have that boy Of yours
He's minel" But Miss Judith's eyes
flashed lightning.
"Neyer! When the Lord said that, |
gave him Tom; but do you think you"
No. said the Squire, in voice that
made Miss Pophurst start; it was 50
strangely gentle and low, and yet she
felt it ruling her like rod of iron.
Come up to my house and live, If you
will; it needs you; but there the boy
must be .."-haJeiia T. Hopkins, IN Sun
day afternoon.
THE QUEEN AND JOHN BROWN.