St. Landry democrat., 1881-08-20

hopeless to those who did not realize
the uncomfortable energy that was in
him. He had fallen into way of con-
tiding his pet hopes and dreams to his
little nelghbor, partly because he knew
that She was as poor as himself, and by
no possibility could help him, and part
ly because he knew that secret with
her was safe. Then, too. she was such
an intelligent, warm hearted little soul,
that it comforted him much to talk with
her.
lie was now pursuing a certain line
OF study in natural history, and had
come to "a deadlock as he express
ed it to Cathie, for want OF ten dollars
worth of books. Now. if she could only
bestow those books upon Oscar, in such
way that he would never guess who
gave them, how happy she would be!
She could not help planning, and brood
ing over it, although in her sober g com
nonsense moments" as she called
them, she had no hope OF ever bring
ing it about.
. If were only boyw she would
think to herself, as she weeded and
spaded and fluttered about among her
lovely flowers. CHOW, | have worked
as hard for you, dear flowers, as a boy
works in his wheat patch, but you are
only sweet and beautiful; you do not
pay" And then she would smile at
her mercenary thoughts. As the sum-
mer deepened, the garden grew in
beauty hour by hour, until it seemed as
if every twig and stalk bore all the
bloom and sweetness it could hold, and
the bees and humming- birds held high
carnival there every day.
One day, just after the noon meal,
Cathe was washing dishes in the back
kitchen, farthest from the road, when,
all at once, a great commotion seemed
to fill the air about her. She felt a
heavy, rumbling jar that shook the
house; hoarse bellowings, wild shouts,
and the barking of dogs mingled in the
laundering din that was rolling nearer
as she listened She ran through to
the front door with her towel in her
hand, and saw, in a great dust-cloud, u
drove OF at least a hundred cattle tear
ing along down the road. She ran for
her father, but he had gone to the field.
Her tlower-pot sloped from the door to
the road, unfenced. Nearly every week
large droyes of cattle went past from
up-country down to the distant market,
and the drovers always stationed boys
and dogs ahead at the unprotected
places, while the herds marched oy.
But panic had seized upon this drove,
and, before help could arrive. the fran
tic animals had surrounded the house,
trampled every green thing into the
dust, and rushed on and away like an
avalanche.
Cathie stood among the ruins with a
face OF despair; and her mother was
standing behind her speeches. with
dismay, when the owner of the drove
came rafting up in his wagon. The
cattle were at that moment careering
over distant hill the drovers still far
behind them; but he leaped from his
cart and came up to Cathe.
"Why, little girl, if this isn't a pity.'
he exclaimed, in voice of such COM
passion and sympathy that Cathie hid
her face in the dish-towel and sobbed
aloud.
CHOW, don't cry, dear!' he begged.
81 saw, when went up the other day,
what a pretty sight your posies were;
and here I've been the means of spoilin'
'em. Money can't replace 'em this
year, but there's ten dollars. and I'm
mighty sorry, besides.' And he placed
bill in her hand.
s.Oh, no, MOI" sobbed Cathie. "You
couldnt help it; nobody was to blame"
And she held out the money. But he
was mounting his wagon and Wping
| the moisture rom his tired face, with
his eyes on the distant cloud of dust.
s.You keep that money. little girl.
It's small recompense,' he said, shak-
ing his head emphatically; and he was
off and away before she could speak
again.
Cathie dried her eyes and looked at
the bill in astonishment.
..Oh. motherr' she cried, suddenly.
''May 1 do just what l want to with
this?''
"Why, yes, DEAR said her mother
"whv shouldn't you? And don't fee
badly about the flowers; they'll grow
again.
.But, mother, are you sure that you
are willing for me to-to-give this
away?'
..Give it away? Well, it's your own
money, Cathie. | am sure your father
! will be willing for you to do what you
choose with the first money you ever
had. And you have worked hard fol
your flowers, Cathie; we all know
.tia.''
And, mother Cathie kept on
eagerly--''I shall want you and father
to pr omise that you will never tell any
body that l got this money" HeI
cheeks were bright, her eyes glowing
She had forgotten her flowers.
1--WE will do whatever you wish, my
daughter, about this money. 1t il
RIGHT that we should. But, sometime
You'll tell mother about it?''