The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-06-10
L A F t y A V | E.
BY MRS. H. c. ROWE.

Another bit bannock for Davie,
mithero
Mrs. Graham smiled and nodded.
1t was such a matter of course that
Davie should take a part in all the
sports Of the Glenfarnie lads, and
equally a matter Of course that the
poor, witless, motherless brain should
be indebted to some one of them for
his share of the bite and sup that al
ways formed so important part of
the days pleasure when, as now, an
excursion to some Of the caves that
lined the coast in that place, was in
cluded In the days programme.
Mrs. Graham smiled and nodded,
not alone in assent to her sons request
but largely in return to the bashful
salute of his companion, ragged, un-
kept lad Of fourteen or thereabouts,
whose sun-burned face wore the sim
pie, vacant, yet childishly confding
look that marked him as one of those
unfortunates whom the Scotch tender
ly term 'innocents.
His great blue eyes, as they were
uplifted to the good lady's face, BEAM
ed with the trustful afectionateness of
some faithful animal to whom has
been denied the gift of speech, and
who can only express his devotion by
looks and acts, more eloquent some
times than words
'Where are YOU going for your pic
nic this time?" asked Mrs. Graham as
she added to the already well-flled
basket an extra "bannock."
Her eyes happened to be upon Da-
vie rs she spoke, and doffing his rag
ged bonnet, the lad answered shyly,
"In the Brownies Chimney Neuk, my
Teddy"
Donald Graham laughed gaily, and
turning his eyes upon the placid face
beside him he said, What gars We al
ways gle the mither a title? Is na
plain Mistress Graham guide enow to
serve yer turn?"
Davie smiled sweetly, too simple to
comprehend the boyish sarcasm.
"She is Teddy an a guide an bon
ny one, too" he said softly and with
an air of reverence that silenced even
Donald, and lent something of tender
ness to his own rough, boyish tones, as
swinging the basket on his arm, he
called out to his mother at parting:
"Dinna fash yersel, mither, if we're
bit late the night. Tam Macpher-
son and Sandy Deans are comm for
Us in their boat, and we'll mayby bide
bit late if they're no on hand by
sundoon. "
! Mrs. Graham made no objection to
this arrangement for it was common
practice with the boys of the neighbor-
hood to spend their day in playing in
and about the caves along the shore,
and coming home in the pale, early
/ twilight III some one Of the many fish
ing boats that might be seen by the
score all day long, lowering about in
/ the dim ofing like white-winged birds
in search of prey.
/ 1t was no new thing, and vet, as the
lads turned away to rejoin their COM
panions, who were waiting for them at
the garden gate, a something she knew
not what, impelled the mother to lay
a OBTAINING hand on Davies arm,
while she whispered, with smile at
her own foolishness:
'Take good care of Donald, Davie;
you're older and stronger than he, and
can swim better Be sure that you
bring him safe home to me-"
The poor lad turned and looked
steadfastly into her eyes. Had her
words, lightly, half-jestingly spoken
as they were, suddenly awakened a
spark of intelligence in his dull soul?
How else could she account for the
quick kindling of his stoid face and
! the eager, outspoken words 80 different