The National tribune., 1883-07-05
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY

take 1t was more than half mile by the
road to the mill; across the river bend it was
less than half that distance
The late rains had swelied the river and
overflowed its banks but the bridge was still
there, even though many of the country people
had begun to think it unsafe Katie did not
doubt for moment but that it would hold her
light weight and over it she few She thought
that it creaked and swayed under her, and she
fancied herself breaking through once or twice,
but on she sped, her large dark eyes strained
and fixed on that faring red light 1t seemed
hours to her before she reached the MILL She
had been there before to take Phil his lunch
once when he had forgotten it, and she knew
the way perfectly well. In at the dark yawn-
ing door She darted, and up two or three narrow
steps. There was smoke in the air-surely.
She opened the door of the engine-roonl, and
closed it hastily behind her, with quick,
shrill cry of dismay.
'Phil! Oh, Phil"
For the room was full of smoke. Through
it the lamp-light showed pale and dim. Little
tongues of flame were running over the floor
before the great furnace, tapping up shaving
here and there, and crawling, snalSe-like, up
the wall very near the window And Phil sat
by the rough table, his face buried in his
arms, asleep-so sound asleep and so stupefed
by the smoke that katie's first cry failed to
arouse him.
She screamed with all her might, and shook
him then.
phil! dear Phil" she cried "Oh-fretn
1t all happened in very little time. That
one last word shreked in Phil's ear awoke him
etfectually. He understood the situation, and
| sprang to his feet.
Don't whistlei" cried Katie, catching his
arm. Don't rouse the town. Phil. We can
put it out"
They fell to work then with will After
all it was not much of battle. There were
| pals and an abundance of water at hand, and
| the fire was not really under headwav The
flames, though widespread had not begun to
burn through the solid floor, which was soon
| thoroughly flooded. In a very few minutes it
was all over and Phil had opened the win
dow. He turned to Katie then, who stood
| pale and trembling, as she had not trembled
| before.
"Oh, Katiel" he cried, chokingly, show did
| you"
And Katie told-or tried to tell him; but
| long before she had finished she was crying
| Historically around his neck.
"Oh, Katie darling, 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 a fire, sir" answered Phil,
readily, though with "a shake in his voice.
But it is out now"
| Mr.. Midway stepped into the room without
another word, and taking up the lamp pro-
ceeded to examine the wall, the floor, and the
| furnace itself carefully
Gibbs must look after this a 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 and wanted
her for company; to say anything but the
dreadful truth. But Katis's honest little ma
/ ture abhorred a falsehood {
"I-I-he was-I7" she stammered, with
many painful pauses t.
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
| "Asleepw repeated Mr.. Midway, his face
| stern and cold.
1t was an awful moment, and Katie ended it
by springing forward and grasping Mr. Med
ways hand.
+" Oh, if you please She cried "may / tell
! you how he happened to it? Mamma was i'll,
and he could not sleep at all yesterday. 1t was
not his fault, sir--indeed twas not Poor Phil
/ Oh, sir"
| Mr.. Midway was not at al hard-hearted
man, though perhaps a little too intent on his
own particular interests. His voice was husky
when he spoke to Katie.
How did you happen TO see the fire?v
"Why-I-I"
"She looks out of her window dozen times
a night to see that am all right" said Phil,
with brusque earnestness and she prays
/ for me before she goes to steep. That's how,
| Mr.. Midway. Oh, Katie, little sister,
SWELL! Welt" said lIr. Midway, who seemed
to be having a great deal of trouble with his
throat and eyes. Welt wellr' And he was
silent for what seemed to Katie and Phil a
long, long time.
81 suppose | needn't-needn't come here
again." Phil mustered courage TO say presently.
Not come again. echoed Mr.. Midway
Why not, boy? OF course you'll come again,
every night" He put his hand on Katies
head. !" And I'm going to pay you mans
wages after this, remember. A boy with q
sister like yours ought TO be encouraged. 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 adj
| venture.
Twenty-Five dollars month, mother p
cried Phil "Thnk of that! And it's all
Katie's work, every bit"
But Mrs. Payson, thinking too of Katies
work, shuddered and drew them close, and
kissed them both.-Harpey's Young People.