The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-17
You'd batter stay in doors, and lot the
creatures shtA Tor shemsslves said the

widow, from The chinney cofpeL
But Kelpie had viii Of her own. an
went on, into the storm. little lai
she looked 10.
The house lamb is missing. she sait
I'm going to find H.
Nay, nayi cried the window. You mus
not think Of il, Ten 10 one 1t has strsye
beyond the creek. Let II alone
The water is rising rapidly. and it ms..
perish. Itisspoor. fhtle stray lAnb. toS
said the girl, her bright eyes softenlng.
! raised !. myself; cannot isave II to dis
Msplethorp was fast closed against til
storm. not creature 10 be seen in th
streets Beyond. in the ravire, througl
which the creek nan. the gale lad bes'
fearful Trees were uprootsd, and broksl
boughs tossed about. and the swollel
stream dashed oyer the rocks 1t ma,
| rate.
Kelpie went resolutely on, calling he
lost lamb in clear. high voice, that ranl
even above the clamor Of the storm. Ane
It last. away up amid the laurel cliffs.
plsl latiye cry answered her; and ct the foo
Of an o.'d pine she found her lamb.
She eau. .-ht it up with hushed cry o
delight. and <turned her face homeward.
Twilight was falling, and the rising water'
we're All about her feat. She went on care
fully, picking her wy. leaping lightly
from rock TO rock. tossing her unbound
hair.
sound Of tramping hoofs, ard directly
mans voice in imperative command
reached her from below. Standing an the
slippery rocks, the swiit-fowing waters
beneath her, one hand resting upon q
rough boulder, the other grssping her
lamb, she peered down the surging stream.
There was horsemau at the lower ford
making vain attempt to- cross.
The horse reared and backed, evidently
frightened at the swollen st eeam. But his
rider urged him on with whip and spur,
and At last he went in with wild leap
Plunging furiously, lie gaine,t the oppo-
site shore, but with such frantic bound
that his rider was thrown from the saddle.
The horse galloped off in the direction OF
Maplethorp, but his master lay notion
less.
Kelpie. looking on breathlessly, uttered
. low cry, and still clasping her lalnb,
larted over the rocks and down the shore
II the creek. Before she reached him. or
ooked into his death like face. some sub
10 voice within told her it WAS Tom.
There he lay. his right arm doubled un-
ler him. the sharp edge Of rock piercing
lis temple
Kelpie raised his b cad to her bosom and
sld it thero for an instant as fond
mother might hold he.' babe; then, with
q unspoken prayer on b. v ashen lips, she
sught up her lamb, aud darted oa
trough the falling dsrkn ess with tbe
peed OF . swallow.
Help came in very short tin 70. and the
,jured man was placed Oh Utter and
orne across the valley to his IN Others
ottage.
He is not dead? said Kelpie confron Gsg
'octor eTalcott, when tho brief exami. ~
on Was over.
The young man looked at the lovely,
usk face, pallid with suspense and agony;
I'd in that minute he understood why It
IS that Kslpie had turned deaf ear to all
b ardent wooing.
No. he is not dead, he answered, his
'es softening with pity. / will save his
b for your sake. Il
1t was after midnight whom Tom reoov-
Where is Kslpis? were his Hrst words. ,
You musp't talk. said his mother. But
silencsd her with gesture. /,
Call Kelpie!
And the girl came. He took her hand ,
his left one; his right one lay bandsged |
d disabled by his side. q
was coming to bring you good news. q
said. slight quiyer stirring his firm O
$; that's what brought me- Kelpie. / a
se found your friends You are no n
ger walt. The man who put you at Il
mothers door is dead. saw him die n
! heard his confession You stood be /,
zen him and . great fortune, and he O
nted you out Of tho way. He Is dead, Il
the fortune Is yours. and your mother d,
be in Maplethorp tomorrow 10 claim m
he dark, sonthern face grew fairly daz. /,
'g, III its exceeding Joy.
)hl thank God thank God she said.
shadow OF intense pain fillel Toms
~ glad you xe. he said. G
es, am glad. very glad, Tom. Vi
hen I'll try TO be glad for your sake, or
nswe. .'ed, hoarsely and turned bis face 80
y. ~
lence fell. Tho clock ticked on the ac
tel, and the cat purred before the he
sh. Kelpie stood irresolute. great ea
) standing in her eyes. Al last slIe stole mi
he bedside, and her slender. brown
Is which had never touched Toms eli
with the shy. coy touch OF lbird, Gr
softly upon his bandaged head. cd
. opened his eyes with great start. &c
,lpie? OF
,s, Toni da
Iain there was silence. ms
in. the girl began. st last, her atarry CO..
downcast. hsr red lips quivsring. IL
, you remember that morning ne th'
ID, ont yonder by the sLesp-fold' thu
9, remember. SCI
u asked me for . promise tbsn---- thu