Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-05-13
"No," said Laura, quickly; 81 think

The next morning her husband wa
called TO Chicago alone on business. She
endured the uncongenial surroundings IA
long as she could, then caught up her hal
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
nifiCent, the May sky arched above blue as
lapus lazuli Sweet wild birds flew ovel
her head, and no other living thing was in
sight.
The great stiffness hal wonderful
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 rubies, 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
10 look anxiously for the landmarks of her
return. In vain. Round and round she
wandered; but the changing light gave
everything new aspect.
For half al hour she stood with throb-
bing heart, looking vainly to the right and
left-lOSt
The roseate light deepened into gray.
A dense fog crept around her. She had
directed her faltering footsteps to single
cottonwood tree, and now stood clinging to
it, her heart sinking in her bosom. Oh,
where was she and what would become of
her?
She could make no further effort, so be-
wildered had she become that she knew
no longer in which direction to search
Must she stay there all night2 If so she
tried TO believe that nothing would harm
her.
But it grew dark. The fireflies swarmed
around her head. She heard a strange,
istant, mournful noise which terrified her.
Suddenly she heard her name called: !:
Aunt Laura Aunt Laura" She replied
"Here!" :" eagerly, and a small figure can e
bounding through the rustling grass 10 her
side.
1t was Ted.
'+Oh, TED | am lost ~
II know it. came to find you. Twas
watching for you TO come back-you did
not come. | said nothing to the others.
set off to find you. Come quick! / think
| can find the ford"
Laura grasped the boys small, eager
hand, and hurried away with him through
the dew-wet grass.
"You are all wet, Ted
swan across"
Laura's eyes distended still further with
surprise.
They were hurrying-running.
81 know the way, but it is so dark, said
Ted.
Tied, won't the others come for me 2"
II don't know"
1t was a hesitating, panied tone.
Your own FOLKS are away, you know 7"
A selfish, churlish man, two young and
uureliant girls who would search the lone,
chilly prairie if Ted had not come!
LaHra's soft, jeweled hand closed tighter
on the child's rough one.
''Oh, Ted my husband will pay you
for this! !"
He stopped.
"Aunt Laura, it's no use to 90 on. |
can't find the ford, it's got so dark"
He was painting.
''The tree" he replied, wasn't it an old
dry one?"
''Dry and withered, believe-yes."
owe must go back to It.
"Why e.
He did not answer, but hurried her on.
"Ted, what Is that noise hear? Dogs
barking?"
Hurry! Harry" pulling her over the
backward path.
'Why must we 60 back to that tree,
Ted?"
1T is dry, you SAID y
"Ted what is that howling?'
Her voice shook with vague fear now.
"Here it is"
He placed her with her back against the
old dry tree.
81 brought some Matches" he painted.
Matches What for 2"
He snatched some dry leaves together,
tore some strips from his old cotton jacket
sleeve, and lighted the whole.
Then he threw on dead branches, all
piled against the further side of the tree
trunk.
"Ted, what is that for?'
evolves, wolves Don't you see them?"
cried the boy throwing out his arms!~ ''But
you needn't be afraid; they can't hurt you
now. Oh, Aunt Laura, they'll never come
near us now, for they are afraid of fire, and
the tree is burning"
Laura had sank upon the ground, fainting
with terror.
ooh, Ted, dear Ted ~ she sobbed, 'Tn
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
infammable material they could find
around the trunk of the cottonwood, while
those strange dancing sparks so near the
ground-the fierce eyes of the wolves,
which Laura saw plainly now-reluctantly
retreated when the flames blazed, at last to
the topmost boughs of the tree, and the
light streamed far and wide.
Disheveled, pallld, exhausted, her mi
cry lost at last in brief sleep-thus A
geron Amberley found his wife In the earl
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.
His little jacket was wrapped around her
shoulders; her head was pillowed on his
knee.
"She's tired, reckon" he said simply.
ooh, my boy!" broke from Algernon
Amberley's lips.
He carried his wife home in his arms,
Ted leading the way-Ted never once con-
scious of the love he had earned, but sad
and lonely again in that old farmhouse.