Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-12-19

derlng. ''But who's going to show m
the way to Fraser's? There's trai
over the mountain, isn't there ?"
"Begorry, there was wan," said Mike
with great hesitation, "but very divi
of way yell foind it now-the traa
do be crackin' and fallin' and the rock
a-rollin' down in jest an internal man
ner. It's as much as yer loife is WORT
to ye to get there
"And who's ailin' over there, amy
way ?" asked Kitty.
81 think it's the baby. Some on,
left word at my Office that they fearet
one of Fraser's children was dying"
"Durned if I'll risk my neck for on,
of Fraser's kids" said Jake, emphatical
ly, going back to his seat by the fire.
''No great risk, thin,' retorted Kitty
Thin as is born to be hanged'll never
be drowned"
"An' sure" said Mike. glancing al
Kitty, "1'm thinkin' we're as safe out.
side as in afther this. We're IN for it,
anyhow but DANCED if I'm anxious to
drag my old rheumaticky legs over any
trail tonight"
The Doctor looked at Bat. Maria,
too, had looked at him, and that look
bad fired his soul with the courage of an
old warrier, whatever the risk or the ter
"Well, a guess know dat way pretty
well, an if hany ting is happen l got
the Doctor, amt 2" said Bat, gaily
brushing back his brown curls, aud
drawing over them the veritable blue
toque that he had worn in the back
woods of Canada.
Then, in his droll way, be took leave
of Kitty and Mike, imploring them. if
anything 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:
81 come again to thee-je t'aime."
And in language understood by all,
the dark eyes answered:
81 love thee"
And in language known and taught
by the Father of Evil sullen Jake re-
piled to his laughing "Good-bye, my
Jake-pray for me-" with look of ha-
tired and sullen word.
behind you, my DEAR" answered
Bat, with profound bow.
Out into the black and terrible night
went the two men-one obeying the
mandate of his noble profession, filled
with the sympathy it had taught him to
give to sorrow and suffering everywhere;
the other, his heart glowing with chival-
ric passion, to prove himself hero in
the eyes of her he loved-followed by
the voluble blessings of Mike and Kitty,
by the half-proud, half-anxious and alto
gether loving gaze of Maria, and also by
the malignant glare of Jake's evil eyes.
"And Satan came also." thought the
Doctor, observing the look.
Maria, too, turned in time to see the
expression. 1t was just as Mike was
telling them to look out for the bridge
over Fraser's Creek.
Then the door closed, and while the
wind and the rain beat furiously against
it, and Mike and Kitty speculated anx-
iously upon the chances of their safe
arrival at Fraser's, Maria studied Jake's
face as he gazed intently in the fire,
where, from pine-knot. the lurid jets
of flame darted out and leaped wildly up
the black vault, as if eager to join their
i
kindred spirits in the storm.
Suddenly Jake arose, and, muttering
something in the way of good night,
slouched out of the room, Maria, too,
went softly out. retiring to her own
apartment. s,
Meanwhile, safely on their way
through wind and rain and thick dark
ness, over fallen trees and raging wa
ters, went the two men, Bats jubilant
heart oyerfowing in droll speeches and
songs that he sang at the top of his
voice to scare away evil spirits, he said
and the Doctor said he should think
it would But it did not, for behind
them crept one whose intent was black
er 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
precipice; yet gayly onward. with eau
tious steps, until they reached the cot.
tage. whose light shone out like stal
in the black night.
.By golly. we've got here, don't it 2
said Bat. drawing long breath, as they
paused at the door.
Is there anything. wonder, that stirs
physicians heart more deeply than
that look Of mingled thankfulness and
mute appeal that greets him on his first
arrival where life and death are strug
Cling together?
"God bless you!'' cried Fraser. who
alone with his wife, was watching the
little one that lay flushed with fever
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