Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-09-01

the most of the short time they had
the world to themselves, while the
rabbits nibble1 the young leaves, their
bright eyes and long ears constantly on
the alert against every danger, real or
imaginary. Gerald was fond Of ami
mails, and at another time would have
found much amusement in watching
their antics; now, however, his mind
was full of his quest, and he moved
slowly, kneeling or lying on the ground
wherever he saw tuft of shamrock,
and patiently examining it leaf by leaf.
At length he drew near the stream,
which had steep, grassy banks gay with
may flowers. The great bell was ring.
ing now, and the workingmen were
trooping into the courtyard. He
should abandoned his search for that
morning, since he would not risk
meeting with Mr.. Latouche. He was
turning reluctantly away, when he per
ceived particularly large tuft Of sham
rock on the steep bank. Some sudden
impulse determined him to examine
it closely, and he stretched himself on
the grass above SO as to look down up
on it. His sight was wonderfully long
and clear, so that he could distinguish
every leaflet in what to another person
would have seemed confused Iaass of
green.
AT length, to his unspeakable delight,
he perceived the OBJECT of his search
"a leaf actually composed of four di
visions, at the end of long trailing
stem. Grasping the heritage firmly with
one hand, he stretched the other toward
his prize. AS he did so, the sudden
barking Of dog, accompanied by
loud shout, startled him, and loosing
his hold, he slipped down the steep
bank into the stream below At the
same moment the gates of the mill-dam
were opened, and the pent-up waters,
released from their prison, came seeth-
ing and foaming down, Selling poor
Gerald's 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
latter's Newfoundland dog, Carlo. AS
the boy DISAPPEARED from view Lau-
renee ran forward, urging on his dog
With voice and gesture, so that when he
reached the bank he found Carlo al
ready struggling with the stream. To
take off his coat and plunge in was the
work of moment. The dogs efforts
had somewhat retarded poor Gerald's
fate, and Laurence was able to seize
him just as he was being drawn under
the wheel. A few long moments of
desperate struggle, and Laurence found
himself once more upon the bank be-
side 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,
under his directions, carried poor Ger
aid into the house and laid him on
sofa in the diniug-room. Mr.. Latouche
and his sister were summoned, and
every effort was made to restore the
boy to consciousness. When, after
long time, he opened his eyes, his first
word was "Grace"
800 you want her. Gerald?" asked
Laurence, bending ever him.
EYES," said Gerald 81 have found it
for her at last"
Found WHAT
"The four-leaved shamrock" and,
opening his hand, ne showed the little
leaf which he had all through managed
to keep safely inclosed within his palm.
THE four-leaved shamrock?
Don't you remember? Grace want
ed it. She said that if she had one she
could make your uncle forgive you"
II remember" said Laurence, with
pang at his heart.
"What does he mean?" asked Mr..
Latouche.
81 am afraid he must have overheard
some testing nonsense of ours about a
four-leaved shamrock. You know it
is said to be a talisman. May | bring
Grace here, sir?
Certainly, if the poor child wishes
to come. Take the pony carriage"
Laurence hurried away, and in lit
tie time the doctor, who had been sent
for, came He said that Gerald had
received some injury causing internal
hemorrhage and that his life was q
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"
answered 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 terri
bic uncle.
" | am so afraid of being asleep when
she comes said Gerald 81 want to
give her the four-leaved shamrock. She
VIII 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 p asked Mr.. Latouche, his face
changing.
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