The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-12


The doctors voice trembled. and his
eyes were wet with not unmanly tears,
for, as the little company we'll knew, the
horse was pet and a beauty.
"Ah, woes the night" walled Kitty.
Yell niver find better baste nor 9
handsomer wsn-and so proud he samed
to bear ye, the poor faithful craturer
Yes, we've pulled through many q
tough place together, and be never finch.
ed or failed me. The almost human cry
he gave when he went down that horri.
BILE place will ring in my ears as long as
l live" fuid the doctor, shuddering.
But who's going to show me the way
to Frase'r7 There's trail over the
mountain, isn't theref"
Begorry. there was one," said Mike,
with great hesitation, but very divil
of way you'll foind it nuw-the traas
do be cnckin' and fallin' and a-rowlin'
down in jest an internal manner. It's as
much as yer life is worth to get
there"
"And who's ailin' over there, anyway
asked Kitty.
Il think its the baby. Some bhe lef.
word at my Office that they feared one Of
Fraser's Children was dying"
'Durned if I'll risk my neck fur one of
Fraser's kids" said Jake emphatically,
going back to his seat by the Are.
emo great risk, thin" retorted Kitty.
"Thim as is born to be hanged II never
be drowned"
''Au' sure" said Mike, glancing at Kit
ty, I'm thinking we're as safe outside as
in afther this We're in for it, anyhow;
but DANCED if I'm anxious to drag my old
rheumaticky legs over amy trail tonight
The Doctor looked at Bat Maria, too,
had looked at him, and that look had
fired his soul with the courage of an old
warrior, whatever the risk or the terror.
lie ciel en- est le prix," thought Bat,
thrilling beneath that look.
'Well, a guess know dat way pretty
well, and if hahy ting is happen got the
doctor. ain't =" said Bat, gayly brush
ing back his brown curls, and drawing
over them the veritable blue toque that
he had worn in the backwoods of Canada.
Then, in his droll way, be took solemn
leave of Kitty and ike.irhploring them,
iffanything should prevent his return, to
be good to Jake. Over Maria's little
brown hand he fingered long enough to
say, unheard by all but her:
Il come again to thee-je t'aime."
And in language understood by all
the dark eyes answered:
II love thee"
And in language known and taught
by the Father OF Evil sullen Jake replied
to his laughing Goodbye, my Jake
pray for mei" With lock Of hatfed aud
a sullen go to hell |"
"Behind you, my dear" answered Bat
with profound bow.
Out iuto the black and terrible night
went the two men-one 6beyihg the tIan-
date of his noble profession, filled with
the sympathy it had taught him to give
tn sorrow and suffering everywhere; the
othtr his heart glowing with chivairio
passion TO prove himself hero in the
eyes of her be loved-followed by the
voluable blessings of Mike and Kitty, by
the half proud. half aiixious and altogeth-
or loving gaze of Mafia. and also by the
malignant glare of Jake's evil eyes.
"And Satan came Also" thought the
Doctor, observing the look.
Maria, too, tttned in time to see the
expression. 1t was just as mike was tell
ing them TO look out for the bridge over
Fraser's Creek.
Then the door closed, .stid while the
wind and the tain beat futibusly against
it. and Mike and Kitty speculated AMI.
ously upon the chaiaces Of their safe ar
rival at Fraser's, Maria studied Jake's
face as he gazed int, 'ly in the fire, where
from a pine-knot, the lurid jets of fame
darted out and leaped wildly up the black
vault, as if eager to join their kindred
spirits in the storm.
Suddenly Jake afoss; and, mutterine
something in the way of goodnight,
slouched out Of the room. Mafla; too,
went softly out, retiring to her own apart:
ment.
Meanwhile, safely on their way through
wind and rain and thick darkness, over
fallen trees and raging waters went the
two men, Bats jubilant heart overflow
ing in droll speeches and songs that he
Ssng at the top of bis voice 10 scare away
the evil Spirits be ssid-And the Doctor
said he should think it would. But it
did not. for behind them crept one whose
intent was blAcker than the night, more
cruel than the angry streams.
Yet on they went along the narrow
path, With the overhanging rocks on their
right, and on their left the fearful preci-
pice; yet gayly onward, with cautiotis
steps, until they reached the cottage,
whose light shone like star in the black
night
by golly we've got he-e. don't 1t r
said Bat. drawing long BREATH as they
paused at the door
Is there anything I wonder, that stifs
physician's heart more deeply than that
look of mingled thankfulness and mute
appeal that greets him on his first arrival
where life and death are struggling to-
gether7
''God bless you I" cried Fraser, who,
alone with his wife, was watching the
little one that lay flushed with fever and
moaning with pain. ''God bless you,
Doetor-we didn't think you could get
here"
There's special providence for doc
tors, you know" he answered. smiling.
The mere sound Of his pleasant voice
seemed TO give them confage. and the