The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-07-13

There were pals and an abundance of
water at hand, and the fire was not
really under Roadway. The flames,
though widespread, had not begun to
burn through the solid floor, which was
soon thoroughly flooded. In few min.
utes it was all over, and Phil had
opened the window. He turned to
Katie then, who stood pale and trem-
bling, rs she had not trembled before.
"Oh, Katie y he cried, chokingly,
chow did you"
And Katie told-or tried to tell him,
but long before she had finished she
was crying Historically around his
neck.
cob, Katie daring, don't. Don't
KATIE
The door opened at that moment.
Phil knew who stood there before he
heard Mr.. Medways voice.
"Heyday What's all this fuss
about?"
There has been fire, sir" an.
swered Phil, readily, though with
shake in his voice. "But it is out
now"
Mr.. Midway stepped into the room
without another word, and taking up
the lamp proceeded to examine the
wall, the floor and the furnace itself
carefully.
"Gibbs must look after this little
in the morning." he said; and he
placed the lamp on the bench again,
while Katie and Phil stood by with
sinking hearts. Suddenly he looked at
Pills sister. "Why, what are you
here for?" he asked, not unkindly.
All, how easy it would have been
not to tell him-to say that Phil was
lonesome ana wanted her for company;
to say anything but the dreadful truth.
But Katie's honest little nature alb
horred falsehood.
"I-I-he was-I-" she stam-
mered, with painful pauses, q"
But right here Phil came bravely
to the rescue.
Il was asleep, Mr.. Midway" he
said, "and if it hadn't been for Katie
your mill"
"Asleep!" repeated Mr.. Midway, his
face stern and cold.
1t was an awful moment, and Katie
ended it by springing forward and
grasping Mr.. Medway's hand.
ooh, if you please she cried, "may
1 tell you how he happened to do it j?
Mamma was ill, and he could not sleep
at all yesterday. 1t was not his fault
sr-indeed it was not. Poor Phil |!
Oh, sir"
Mr.. Midway was not at all hard
hearted man, though perhaps a little
too intent on his own particular inter-
ests. His voice was husky when he
spoke to Katie.
How did you happen to see the
fire?"
Why-I-I-"
"She looks out of her window a
dozen times a night to see that I'm all
right" said Phil, with brusque earn
estness land she prays fer me before
she goes to sleep. That's how, Mr..
Midway. Oh, Katie, little sister y
"Well well p said Mr.. Midway,
who seemed to be having great deal
of trouble with his throat and eyes.
"Well well y And he was silent for
what seemed to Katie and Phil long,
long time.
81 suppose needn't-needn't come
here again." Phil mustered courage to
say presently.
"Not come again?" echoed Mr.. Med
way. "Why not, boy? OF course
you'll come again, every night" He
put his hand on Katie's head. "And
I'm going to pay you a mans wages
after this, remember. A boy with a
sister like yours ought to be encour-
aged. I'm pretty sure you won't LET
this happen again"
And he slammed the door behind
him.
"Oh, Phil"
"Oh, Katie!'
They went home in the morning
early, and Mrs. Payson heard the story
of the nights adventure.
Twenty-Five dollars month,
mother |" cried Phil. "Think of that
And it's all Katie's work, every bit"
But Mrs. Payson, thinking too of
Katie's work, shuddered and drew them
close, and kissed them both.-Har.
per's Young Peopte.