The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-19

in tremor of excitement.
He shall try" smiled Margaret, won by the
pleading eyes.
That was the beginning of many lessons, in
which new world opened to Billy, and Mar
garet quite forgot that she had left home to find
rest from teaching. There were many things
forgotten in those slow, quiet days. Her vague
unrest, her feyerish ambition, seemed selfish
and Ign0ble IN the presence OF this strong,
brave life before her-such a hard, homely life
that she could scarcely understand her own
interest in it.
She had written home nothing of the acci-
dent that had befallen her. but only indefinitely
of necessary change of plan" There was
no need that any one should be anxious about
her or grieve at her disappointment, and there
was one who would do both, she remembered,
with little thrill at her heart. Some way she
was often reminded of Tom in these days Now
that she was recovering, it was not SO great a
disappointment, after ALL to find that there
was no time left to carry out any part of her
original purpose.
" l suppose you'll go away tomorrow" said
Miss Grey, slowly, one evening, as she sorted
and put aside the meager daily mail. We'll,
we did live before you came-it amt more'n
two months ago. either though it seems so
long-but l can't seem to think beyond to-
morrow. 1t some way seems as If everything
ends then"
The touch of sadness so foreign to the voice,
and the look in Billys dark eyes, haunted
Margaret's pillow that night. She vainly tried
to plan for them beyond the morrow and even
when she slept they followed her in dreams.
Come! come p called Miss Grey's excited
voice
Then hand fell on her shoulder, and she
awoke with a start to find the voice a reality.
Quick! quick! the house is burning /
thought you'd never wake!"
L. =
rushing, cracking sound, and already the
room was filled with smoke. Margaret made
her way through the binding clouds, catching
up articles here and there, her bewildered brain
aided by Miss Grey's retreating call
Gather what you want most. There's no
hope for the house; we must save what we
cam
Why does no one come? Can't we give the
alarm?' cried Margaret, as she rushed out into
the open air with an arInful of treasures, and
turned a glance of terror at the blazing roof.
Our voices wouldn't reach. The light IL
spread the story quickest; but no one can get
here in time to save the house, or anything in
1t but what we bring out, " answered the owner
of the house, resolutelys sp!unging into the
sitting smoke again.
Margaret followed her, and they worked
with a strength that only desperation could
have given. tearing up, lifting, and carrying out
mently more suiioeating and perilous.
We must let the rest go," Miss Grey herself
announced, with grim resignation, leaning
back againsta tree and watching the long fiery
arms that were crushing the building in a hor-
rible embrace.
Fire!" shouted hoarse voice far down the
hillside; then otherUeices took it up, and the
sounds drew nearer.s Help was coming, too
late. Suddenly Missi Grey started turning a
white fapa to AIarVa rf,t; Y1aSzed
The mail forgot it"
That little bundle!t What madness" 4"
But the unfinished sentence and detaining
hand were put swiftly aside.
They belong TO other folks; they were
trusted TO me, Miss Grey explained, hurriedly,
as she sprang forward and vanished in the lurid
smoke. "a
1t seemed hours that Margaret watched for
her with straining eyes, and she did not come
ages before that shouting crowd drew near
enough to be directed to the spotwhere she had
disappeared. Then moving figures swept in
Between the burning mass and the place where
Margaret stood with Billy's little hand tightly
clasped in hers, and partially intercepted her
view. Loud voices shouted contradictory
orders, dark groups swayed rapidly to and fro.
There was a crash of burning timbers the
flames leaped up for a moment and sank again,
and the crowd, which had fallen back, parted
and let two smoke blaclxened men pass through,
bearing PROSTATE form.
Margaret could never clearly recall all the
incidents of that night. Her recollection was a
confused mingling of terror, haste, sitting air,
and horrible flame and sound. But the gray
morning found the old house charred and
smouldering ruin, while in a little cabin down
the hillside lay its mistress with her last work
for ''other folks" done. Every aid that could
be given had been rendered, but the physician
shook his head as he turned away. Margaret
sat beside her, sad-eyed and still. This was the
tomorrow beyond which they could not see.
:" Don't fret about it, y said the steady prac.
teal voice, in nearly its usual tone. "'Twould
be queer to be here, anyhow, with the old house
gone" Then, after q pause, Everything uI
yonder is 10 be made new +; don't it say so?
think I'd be glad to go-but for Billy"
leave him to me,n said Margaret earnestly
81 love the child. He shall have all the care
that can give him"
The sufferers eyes flashed wide open with a
quick glad look. "Why," she said brightly
" I'd have been willing to die any time to gain
that for the child"
Then the tired lids fell, and with the bright
ness still on her face she was away.
Two days later Margaret reached home The
evening lamps cleaned n welcome, and the
fire, lighted because of the chill rain, threw 9
CHEEKY glow over the pretty room, where, with
| Billy tucked away for the night, Margaret and
good Meggins fingered, woman like, over the
beauty of the golden curls and the long lashes
and even Of the little lame foot, concerning
which Meggins declared herself "moral Ger
tain that it might be cured or leastways made
good deal straighter and stronger"
Tom, attracted by the bright windows came
with eager greeting. And you are really
home again, Margie. Did you carry out youl
| plan?"
Not exactly mine; it -Nehemiah's,
! think"
Nehemiah's?" repeated Tom, bewildered
and scarcely liking the name. And did yot
find your noble liyes"
q found one-yes" Margaret answered
| reverently.
And your work"
"Yes; / brought that home with me. Com,
and see;" aud she led him to the sleeping
child.
But after all, Margie," said Tom, when tn,
| talk had grown an hour long. "if you onl,
wanted some one to take care of, you know
| eyes, / know" she laughed. fIdon't muef
mind if | do take you too, Tom. don't lif,
to fiatter your vanity, but familiar object
sometimes appear to wonderful advantage whel
we go far enough away to take a bird's-ey,
view of them. - Hdrper8 for Nay
| Very Wicked Tennessee Mule.
From the Sipsettrater Sentinel
| Isn'tit about time for the local authorities t,
! sell the mule that used to draw the town hears
and buy horse? Twice lately he has balket