The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1883-08-03

''llfS going 10 rain,' said Miss
Abigail. lyon needn't 20 tonight; !;
you may sleep in the stable-lott.
Barry thanked her.
The storm broke with great vio.
lenee. And while Miss Abigail
listented To the sharp pealS of
thunder,and the pouring OF the rain
against the windows, Size thought
of the lonely little wayiareI in the
Stable-loft with new, strange
throb of pity.
Morning came, merry with binl.
song, and glistening with myriads
of Iain-dr0ps.
Prudence was up hetimeS, hut
early as il was she heard the sound
OF an ax in the wood.Shed; aud
when she opened the door Barry
smiled at her from his post by the
chopaing-bIuck.
"l done think paid enough tor
my SUPPER eat such II lot," he
said, $50 I've split some kindlingS;
and III milk Tor you this morning
ii You want me tor
Prudence brought the milk.pail
without 4 word. But when she pre-.
pared Miss Abigairs morning meal,
she made ready q good, substantial
breakfast for Barry, also.
When he had eaten il he took up
his hat.crown.
$50 out the way you come m,'
said Prudence, "'felsc you'll bring
bad luck"
Barry gave little incredulous
laugh, but he went out to the porch.
Miss Abigail was there, taking
deep breaths OF fresh air; aud she
babe him Il kind Good morning. .
as he went off the step and down
the path again between the liIacs,
exubcrdnt In growth but meagre
in bloom.
~ wonder why my lilacs do not
flower more freely.' This Miss
Abigail said to Prudence, who had
followed to the door.
81 dunno,n answered Prudence.
Barry heard, and turned. 81
guess it's because yon leave the
blossoms on" re said hcsitalingly
another used to SAY | must picl
the blossoms off one year if | want
ed al, the next.n
Aud then he went ont Of tn,
gate, closing it carefully behind
him, and along the moist, brown
highway.
"Fhat is a very uncommon boy,
said Miss Abigail looking after hinl
with serious eyes.
"Yes,n assented Prudence, "he's
Il clever 'uough little chap-for 4
boy.o
so think of his knowing about
the lilaes," continued Miss Abigail
mrditatively. | must cut off all
the flowers this spring.
San he got as good mess o
milk from the heifer as | could ha
done ayself with Il well hand,
Prudence went on. Ca.
"Yes, he would have been handy
about milking and getting the
wood for you," said Miss Abigail.
"An' hringin' the letters iron
the postoilice,' proceeded Prudence
'It's IL good piece over to the vii
lage in muddy walkin'.'
$50 it is" said Miss Abigail
She gazed rehectively along thC
road which wound serpentine, lC
the little hamlet Il mile away
Barry was climbing the hill, n mere
pitiful, lonely speck in the distance
us he was a mere, insignificant
atom IN the great body of human
ity. Miss Abigail's eyes filed.
ave might have kept him. sh,
said.
"Gaint too late yit!" put i
Prudence
The two women looked into e. .cl
others eyes.
"If you conld make him hear,' be
gan Miss Abigail.
For answer Prudence strode t
the road, and sent a quaveriug CT.
after Barry.
"B.o.o-oy p
But the little figure they wer
watching plodded steadily on.
"Gimme the old tin horn QUITE
the kitchen, Miss Abigail p calle,
Prudence, excitedly, "Quick n
Miss Abigail, stai,l spinster tina
she was, without thought of th
righteousness OF the proceeding
ran to the kitchen, slatcbed th,
horn from its nail, and ran on
with it to Prudence. Aud Prudenc
put it to her lips and blew II bias
so long, SO loud, that it startle'
the birds into silence, aud set tn
echoes ringing from hillside t
hillside.
ale c'n hear that if he Gu hea
anything she muttered.
He did. lie stoppetl.' Prudenc
llourished the horn in frantic Q,
clteinent. There was u molneu
ot suspense; and then Prudenc
turned to Miss Abigail, standin
by the gate.
"He's a-coming back" she sal,
When Barry, breathless with I'll
haste he h,d made reached I'll
cottage, Miss Abigail was waitiu
on the porch.
"We've made up. our minds
keep you," said sbc,, $50 loug ,
you don't give too much trouble