Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-25
ing heart, looking vainly to the light

nau directed ner IalterlnS lOOtStepS 10 u
single cottonwood tree, and now stood
clinging to 1t, her heart sinking in he1
bosom. Oh, where was she and what
would become of her!
She could make no further effort, 50
bewildered had she become that she
knew no longer in which direction to
search Must she stay there all nights
If so she tried to believe that nothing
| would harm her.
But it grew dark The fireflies swarm
ed around her head. She heard strange,
distant, mournful noise which terrified
her.
Suddenly she heard her name called
"Aunt Laure! Aunt Laurel She replied,
"Herep' eagerly, and small figure came
bounding through the rustling grass to
her side.
1t was Ted.
sob, Ted I! I am lost!"
II know it. l came to find you. I
was watching for you to come back-you
did not come. I said nothing to the
others. I set off to find you. Come quick
I think l can find the fOrd'
Laure grasped the boys small, eager
hand, and hurried away with him through
the dew-wet grass.
"You are all wet, Ted.''
~ could not wait to find the ford; 1
swan across.'
Laure's eyes distended still further
with surprise.
They were hurrying-runniRg.
III know the way, but it is SO dark"
said Ted.
"Ted, won't the others come for me?'
81 don't know"
1t was hesitant, panied tone.
"Your own folks are away, YOU knows"
A selfish, churlish man, two young and
unreliant girls; who would search the
lone, chilly prairie if Ted had not come !!
Laure's soft, jeweled hand closed tight
er on the child's rough one.
"Oh, Ted! my husband will pay you
for this!"
He stopped.
"Aunt Laure, it's no use to go on. I
can't find the ford, it's got SO dark"
He was painting.
care you afraid. Tedi"
'The tree" he replied. Wasn't it an
old dry one9"
"Dry and with red, I believe-yes."
eve must 60 back to it."
"Why2"
"He did not answer, but hurried her
on.
"Ted, what is that noise / hear? Dogs
barking?"
"Hurry, hurryr' pulling her over the
backward path.
"Why must we 60 back to that tree,
Ted2"
at is dry, you said?'
"Ted, what is that howling2
Her voice shook with vague fear now.
"Here it is"
she placed her with her back against
the old dry tree.
81 brough some Matches" he painted.
"Matches! What for9''
He snatched some dry leaves together,
tore some strips from his cid 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 forf''
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 Laure, they'll
never come near us now, for they are
afraid of fire, and the tree is burning"
Laure had sank upon the ground,
fainting with terror.
ooh, Ted, dear Ted!' she sobbed, ''I'll
help your'-for the flames dying down
for an instant, the boy began snatching
up handfuls af the dry grass.
For hours they worked, piling all the
infammable material they could find
around the trunk Of the cottonwood,
while those strange dancing sparks so
near the greund-the fierce eyes of the
wolves. which Laure 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, pallid, exhausted, her mis-
cry lost at last in brief sleep-thus AL
gernon Amberley found his wife in the
early dawn.
The ground smoked beneath her, burn
ing twigs fell around her: but Ted's
watching eyes took care that she was not
burned. His little jacket was wrapped
around her shoulders; her head was pill
lower on his knee.
ashes tired, I reckon" he said, SIM
ply.
"Oh, my boy!" broke from Algernen
Amberley's lips.
He carried his wife home in his arms,
Ted leading the way-Ted never once
conscious of the love he had earned, but
sad and lonely again in that old farm
house.
But Laure had him brought TO her bed
side, held his hands in hers, kissed his
little grimy cheeks.
"Ted, ysu are going back with us
Thee is not another boy SO loved in all
the world"
And it was true.
Having a Good Time.
Avcnn eniov vOurself Have q GOOD