West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-04-24


The next morning her husband was
called to Chicago alone ON business. She
endured the uncongenial surroundings as
long rs she could, then caught up her hat
and shawl and went out to walk.
She strolled half mile, found the ford
ing of the creek and still went on.
The emerald of the bush grass was mag
niticent the May sky arched above blue as
lapus lazuli. Sweet wild birds flew over
her head, and no other living thing WAS In
sight.
The great stiffness hal v. ierful
charm for her. Now she looked wonder
ingly at the green distance surrounding her.
then wandered about, gathering the flow
ers that gemmed the grass like rlibies sap
phires and stars of gold.
The tinted clouds Of sunset began To fall
in the West at last aud she turned toward
home.
After walking quite a distance she began
TO look anNiously for the landmarks of her
return. In vain. Round and round she
wandered; but the changing light gave
everything new aspect.
For half an hour she stood with throh-
bing heart, looking vainly 10 the right and
left-lOst
The roseate light deepeucd into gray.
dense fog crept around her She had
directed her fatering footsteps 70 IA single
cottonwood tree, and now stood cllnging to
II, her heart sinking in her bosom. oh,
where was she and what would become of
herr
She could make no further effort, SO be
wildcrcd had she become that she knew
no longer in which direction To search.
Mtg Oh gta IL
tried to believe that nothing would harm
ho~.
But il grew dark. The freiles swarmed
around her head. She heard a strange,
istant, moumful noise which terrified her.
suddenly she heard her name called
AUNT Laura Aunt Laura" She replied.
''llcre!' eagerly, and small figure camc
bounding through the rustling grass % her
side
II was Ted.
"Oh, TED am lost !"
81 know it. / came to find you. was
watching for you TO come back-you did
not come. said nothing 20 the others.
get of TO find you. Come quick! think
| can find the ford"
Laura graspcd the boys small. eager
hand, and hurried away with him through
the dew-wet grass.
You are an wet, Ted"
81 could not wait TO find the ford; /
swan across. y
Lauras eyes distended still further with
surprise.
They were hurrying-running
Il know the way, but it is 80 dark, said
Ted
"Ted, won't the others come for me ~
II don't know"
II was a hesita,ing, panied tone.
Your own folks arc away, you know ~
a selfish, churlish man, two young and
unrcliant girls; who would search the lone,
chilly prairie if Ted had not come
Lauras soft, jeweled hand closed tighter
on the child's rough one.
"Oh, Ted my husband will pay you
for this I"
lie stopped
Aunt Laura it's no use to 20 on /
can't find the ford, it's got 50 dark"
lie was painting.
"Tho tree" he replied, wasn't II an old
dry one2"
DRY and withercd, belicve-yes"
'We must so back to It,"
"Why 2"
lie did not answer, but hurried her on
"Ted, what Is That noise hear2 Dogs
barking?'
Hurry Harry !' pulling her over the
| backward path.
why must we go back to that tree,
Tedf"
1T is dry, you SAID ~
'Ted what is that howlingY
Her voice shook with a vague fear now
Here il is
! lie placed her with her back against the
old dry tree.
81 brought some matches, " he painted
Matches What for ?"
He snatched some dry leaves together,
tore some strips from his old cotton jacket
sleeve, and lighted the whole.
Then he threw ON dead braLches, all
| piled against the further side Of the tree
| trunk.
"Tcd, what is that for?'
/ wolves, wolves Don't you ace them ~
! cried the boy throwing out his arms "But
/ YOU needn't be afraid they can't hurt you
! now. On, Aunt Laura, they'll never come
near us now, for they are afraid Of fire, aud
the tree is burning"
Laura had sank upon the ground, faindng
! with terror.
"Oh, Ted, dear Ted " she sobbed, 'Ju
] help You for the flames dying down for
an instant the boy began snatching up
handfuls Of dry grass
For hours they worked, piling ON all the
inhammablc material they could find
around the trunk Of the cottonwood. while
those strange dancing sparks so near the
| grOund-thc fierce eyes Of the wolves,
which Laura saw plainly now-reluctautly
retreated when thc flames blazed, at las. &c
the tOpmost boughs Of the tgcc, and The
light streamed far and wide.
Dishevecd. palhd, exhausted, her <
cry lost at last in q brief sleep-thus A
geron Amberloy found his wife 10 the early
dawn
The ground smoked beneath her, burn
ing twigs fell around her; but Ted's watch
ing eyes took care that she was not burned
llis little jacket was wrapped around he
shoulders her head was pillowod ON hi
knee
'Shc's tired, I reckon" he said simply
"Oh, my boy" broke from Algernor
Ambcrley's lips.
lie carried his wife home iu his arms
Ted leading the way-Tcd never once con
scious Of the love be had earned, but saS
and lonely again In that old farmhouse.
But Laura had him brought 90 her bed
side, held his hands In hers kissed his it'll,
gimy checks.