Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-07-07

form, and bearing him swiftly toward
the certain destruction of the pitiless
wheel.
The shout which had scared him was
Laurence's and the bark that of the lat
ters Newfoundland dog, Carlo. As the
boy disappeared from view Laurence
ran forward, urging on his dog with
voice and gesture, so that when he
reached the bank he found Carlo already
struggling with the stream. To take
OFF his coat and plunge in was the work
OF a moment. The dogs efforts had
somewhat retarded poor Gerald's fate,
and Laurence was thus enabled to seize
him just as he was being drawn under
the wheel. A few long moments of des-
perate struggle, and Laurence found
himself once more upon the bank beside
the apparently lifeless form Of the lad
whom he had saved, and whom he now,
for the first time, recognized.
A little crowd of men had by this time
gathered round him, one of whom, un-
der his directions, carried poor Gerald
into the house and laid him on sofa in
the dining-room. Mr.. Latouche and his
sister were summoned, and every effort
was made to restore the boy to con-
sciousness. When, after a long time,
he opened bis eyes, his first word was
"Grace."
'Do you want her, Gerald ?" asked
Laurence, bending over him.
eyes," said Gerald "I have found it
for her at last"
'"Found what?"
s'The four-leaved shamrock" and,
opening his hand, he showed the little
leaf which he had all through managed
to keep safely inclosed within his palm.
"The four-le wed shamrock %
Don't you remember? Grace wanted
it. She said that if she had one she
could make your uncle forgive you"
81 remember" said Laurence, with a
pang at his heart.
"What does he mean?" asked Mr.. La
touche.
81 am afraid he must have overheard
some jesting nonsense of ours about a
four-leayed shamrock. You know it is
said to be a talisman. May I bring
| Grace here, sir ?"
Certainly, if the poor child wishes
for her. Take the pony carriage"
Laurence hurried away, and In little
time the doctor, who had been sent for,
came. He said that Gerald had re-
ceiyed some injury causing internal hem
orrhage, and that his life was O question
of minutes rather than Of hours. After
little time he opened his eyes and
asked again for Grace.
'She will be here very soon now," an
swered Mr.. Latouche.
He was standing a little behind the
sofa, and Gerald was quite unconscious
that the gentle tones to which he now
| listened were those of Laurence's ter
rible uncle.
IT am SO afraid of being asleep when
she comes," said Gerald. 'I want to
give her the four-leaved shamrock. She
will be so glad to get it; she need not
| be afraid of Laurence's cross uncle any
more"
"Does Laurence say that his uncle is
cross ?" asked Mr.. Latouche, his face
| changing.
NO." said Gerald, Laurence is very
fond of him, and Grace says that he is
good, and that it is foolish of me to be
SO much afraid of him but think she
is afraid herself, for she never will walk
near the mills for fear of meeting
him."
The sound of wheels was now heard,
and moment later Grace entered with
Laurence. She went straight over to
the sofa, and knelt beside it. When
Gerald saw her his whole face lighted
up with joy.
''See, Gracie," he whispered, showing
his prize, II have found the four-leaved
shamrock p
ooh, Gerald" sobbed Grace, 81 shall
never forgive myself if my foolish talk
has led to this"
"Don't cry about me-" said Gerald,
Il am not really hurt. Put your arm
round me-so. Now I can go to sleep
comfortably. You need not be afraid Of
Lnurence's uncle any more.'.'
81 would rather never have seen. Lau-
renee again, than this should have hap
pened, she cried, passionate]y.
''Right," said Mr.. Latouche, in an
swer to Laurence's look of dismay,
"she is all the better worth winning for
not being ready to fling old ties to the
winds for the sake of her lover. How
fond Of her that poor boyssseemsl"
When Gerald next opened his eyes,
Mr.. Latouche, moved by sudden i'm
pulse, bent over him.
"Gerald," he said, 81 promise you
that your cousin need never again be
afraid of Laurence's uncle.'
81 know" said Gerald, dreamily,
"she will always be happy now"
Gas happy as Laurence and I can
make her."
Gerald smiled and closed his eyes.
After time, Laurence, seeing how it
was, took him from Grace's arms, and
laid him back upon the sofa.
SIT is best as it is, Grace" he whis-
pered, 'his life as he grew older could
hardly have been happy one. Up to
this you have made it So"
The forr-leaved shamrock, inclosed
within golden circlet of Gerald's hair,
hangs in locket from Grace's watch
chain. Either by means of this, or of
some other talisman in her possession,
she has cast such spell over Mr.. La
touche, that not even Laurence himself
is more devoted to her than is the stern
uncle, to propitiate whom poor Gerald
lost his life.
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