The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-04-16

neither and her adopted child but
there came a time when the little
slumbering town was too small for
Tom. His growing capabilities called
for some wider field of action.
Where there is will, way'is gen
orally opened. A file opportunity
came up, and Tom availed himself OF
it at once. But it required severe
wrench to tear himself away from
Maplethorp, and the little cottage
under the shelter of the pine woods.
"Kelpie. Am going he said when
he had parted with his mother.
'ss The girl was iri1ing her la,nbs isls
to their fold, but she turned round
and faced him.
"I'm going" repeated Tom, stand
ing up straight and handsome, n
wistful expression in his res0lute gray
eyes, "but l shall come back KeIpie."
Kelpie stood like statue.
"Shall l find you here at the old
cottage ?" he went on. "Will you
wait, Kelpie, and have a welcome
for me ~
A slight quiver stirred her red lips,
but she looked at him with shy al
most defiant eyes.
II cannot PROMISE was all she
said.
A shadow of pain crossed the young
mans eager face. He made step
forward, and canght her two hands.
"You are cruel" he cried. "You
know how l love you"
STOP" she commanded, freeing
herself OF his grasp. II will not
hear another word. You have been
kind and good to me all my life, and
| am not ungrateful; let that suffice.
Go you your way, and leave me 10
mine"
Tom drew deep breath /; his eyes
flashed.
"YOu prefer some one else." he said
bitterly. "If | were a young Doctor
1alcott asking you for your promise,
you would answer him quite differ
emily, ! warrant"
eff you think so, well and good"
she made answer, and turning from
him followed her lambs to- pasture.
Years came aad went. Kelpie
grew up to womanheod, straight as a
dart, and graceful as a young willow.
There was not young man in
Maplethorp, who would not have
risked life and limb for a smile from
her shy, red lips, or glance of favor
from her luminous, dusky eyes. But
she kept them all at distance, even
young Talcott.
There came, as time sped on, a
spring afternoon, wild with storm
and rain. The valley was deluged,
and the mad winds tossed and bent
the pines. and tore off the branches
of the NAPLES.
81 must see that the lambs are
folded" said Kelpie, as the twilight
drew near.
"You'd better stay in doors. and
let the creatures shift for them,
selves" said the widow, from the
chimney cornor.
But Kelpie had a will of her own,
and went out into the storm. A little
later, she looked in.
"The house lamb is missing" she
said, "I'm going to find it,"
NAY, nay!" cried the widow
''you must not think of it. Ten to
one it has strayed beyond the creek.
Let it alone"
1.-The water is rising rapidly. and it
may perish. 1t is poor, little stray
lamb, ton," said the girl, her bright
eyes softening. 81 raised ii myself ;
/ cannot leave it to die"
Mapletherp was fast closed against
the storm, not creature to be seen
in the streets. Beyond, in the ravine,
through which the creek ran, the gale
had been fearful. Trees were up
rooted, and broken boughs tossed
about. and the swollen stream dashed
over the rocks at asmad rate.
Kelpie went resolutely on, calling
her lost lamb, in clear high voice
that rang even above the clamor ol
the STERN. And at last, away VI
amid the laurel cliffs, plantive cry
answered her and at the foot of an
old pine she found her lamb.
She caught it up with hushed cry
of delight, and turned her face home
ward. Twilight was falling, and the
rising waters were all absut her feet
She went on carefully, picking hel
way, leaping lightly from rsck ia
rock, the wind tossing her UNBOUND
hair.
A sound Of tramping hoofs, and di
rectly mans voice. in imperative
command, reaching her from beo "
Standing on the slippery rocks, the
swift-hOwing waters beneath her, ont