The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-01-26


sleep again. And with the baby arms
around her neck, she sinks herself in a
troubled, restless slumber.
Farmer Matthews, riding along the
country road that leads from the CITY
INTO the lonely country beyond. is not
Wlthont slight fear, for the twilight
mas 1allen, and it grows darker every mo.
ment. Still the white earth reflects the
iadlng light, and the stars seen now and
then through the cloud spaces cast a
rant gilmmer upon the glisteuing road.
Oid Dobs knows the way we'll. how
ever, and he joys along placidly, scarce
ly needing the keen wind as it sweeps
across the snow drifts, though it blinds
him momentarily.
But Farmer Matthews is not alone.
BY his side sits young physician
whose stalwart form does not shrink
from the cutting blast.
hardly thought you'd come" saws
the Old farmer. II kinder hated to ask
you, you seemed to be enioyin' yourself
SO nightly; but Alice was so sick. and
the women folks-mother and Nora
lost all faith in the old doctor. so I
thought there'd be no harm in comm to
see You, anyhow"
Inc Old mans voice trembles little.
He is thinking of the frail little form
that has lain so helplessly on the pillow
lor many, many days, and the little
voice whose music has been well-nigh
hushed forever.
"Of course I'd come" answers the
young man. "How could you think l
wouldn't? Don't owe my life to you
L would be ungrateful, indeed, did I not
remember the day when you took me,
a stray waif, into your heart and home.
1t was long ago. bat I owe all am and
all have to- day to you, and what would
not do for you ana yoursr'
God bless you for the good will, my
boy the old man says; and then there
is silence between them, broken only
10y the sound of the horses hoofs upon
the crisp white SLOW.
But as they turn bend in the road
the old man turns to his companion.
"We've lonely patch of woods
ahead; keep your eyes and ears open. "
Yes. l am prepared for it," The
young man takes two glittering objects
from his pocket. ' i fancy any prowi-
ing rascals would 1t Ike to make the
acquaIntanc of these
he replaces the Tevolvers safely IN
their hiding place IS old Dobs plunges
bravely into the woods. A ghostIy
place 1t Is, with the tall trees holding
out long white arms and the weird shad-
ows falling across the winding road.
Hark {! what's that ?" The young
physician lays his hand ON the old man 3
arm. They both listen for a moment,
but only the signing of the wind comes
through the forest.
81 surely heard moan," says the
younger man. ct could not have
been the wind"
Old Dobs suddenly pricks up his ears
and shes violently to one side of the
road.
Hello!' cries the farmer. "What's
the matter with Dobs.''
But the young man has already sprung
to the ground. There's something in
the road" he says. Give me the lam
tern quick. Surely it is man fallen
into the SHOW drifts" He takes a small
vial from his pocket and forces its con-
tents down the mans throat; then they
lift him carefully into the wagon.
Drive as fast as you can," the
young man says If you are home
within the hour we may save him"
An hour later Nora Wade, watching
in the darkened chamber, is aroused by
the touch of a friendly hand.
Nora" he says softly.
Oh, Joe, is it you?" she cries.
You have come to save my darling
You will save her, won't your" She
looks at him piteously, her every word
d sob.
81 will try" he says. Years ago IN
their happy childhood he would have
laid down his life for Nora-what would
he not do for her child. all the later
love for his wife has not swept away the
tenderness he feels toward the love of
his youth.
Through the long hours of the night
he watches with her, noting every
change iu the fair baby face upon the
pillow, now and then stealing,
from the room TO attend bis patient
below, whom he had left in Mrs. Mat
thew's charge.
When the morning breaks and the
gray dawn of the new year steals across
the white fields he takes Nora's hand il
his. "Your child will live," he says.
Her eyes speak their gratltude-he,
| lips are dumb.
Leave her to your mother" be says
"for little while, and come with me.
His words are imperative and she fol
lows him In silence down the stairs into
the sittIng-room below.
Upon the lounge man lies, his eyes
closed in slumber. The fair hair is tos.
sed backward from finely chiseled
face, but there is a weariness upon i,
that is sad to look upon.
With sudden cry Nora falls beside
him. But ere the words upon her lips
are spoken she loses consciousness and
for hours knows no more. All the weary
nights of watching have flung their bur
den upon her and she is powerless to
rally.
"You have killed her," the old maj
says as the young physician lifts her il
his arms.
NO." he answers. "joy never kills.
The first weeks of the new year hav,
passed away, bringing with them COLDER
treasures of life and love. With the OLE
year all the shadows have gone-and a.
its sorrows.
Ii is pleasant group that is gathered
In Farmer Matthew's coy sitting room
in the bright glow of the red freight
Alice, sitting in her mothers lap, laughs
| gleefully at the bright pictures grapdp,
is showing her in the Mother Coos.
book, repeating after him the jingline
rhymes that seem to take her fancy. H.
laughs, too, as she lisps them in hel
quaint, baby fashion; and Nora, layins
her white hands upon the golden head
LOOKS up with smile into the pale
handsome face above her. Wife ant
mother, she looks from one to the Other
of her treasures, with a glad, satisfied
| love.
And Grandma Matthews, pausing il
her knitting to look upon the happy
group, wipes away the moisture from
her eyes, saying softly to herself: " AnG
little cbild shall lead them"
How the Japanese Battle.