The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-12-24

done. -
"Have I?-just let me show you,
was the answer, as a ragged sleeve
stretched toward the shovel.
Guy hesitated, but for momeIt only,
and in another the boy had the shovel,
and was in the road tossing the feathery
flakes far away.
Bravo called Guy, watching him
plunge into the mass of snow already
heaped: how you make it fly Why,
l believe you could have cleaned this
walk in quarter the time it has taken me
Why don't you get shovel and make
your fortune ?" 20, ~.
The face that had frightened as, Guys
praise fell again at his question. That's
Just it. How can l? Whod trust me?'
he said, hopelessly.
"Why, any body that had seen you
work, said Guy, confidently. "You
could pay for one. BY noon, " he added, a
moment later. $50
al know it, said the boy, looking
longingiy at the shovel lie held.
Another moment, dsGuy was saying
" Take, my shovel, until you earnsenough
to bug spe Tor yourself viii not need
lit any more TO. day sc
Really r. cried the boy, his whole
face flushed with 10y. " You needn't be
afraid to trust me, he added, hurriedly;
Ill promise to have il back here by
noon" Then there was something said
about little brother II at home, and
Lottie gone to find something to eat, and
no one to take care of them but him.
Guy did not catch all his words. He
only remembered distinctly last sent
enoe, " My name is Alfred 6elly, and
never yet broke my word.
Anita attention had been arrested by
the SNOWFALL, and she had looked up to
see Guy talking with strange boy, who
soon afterward was using the new shovel,
while her brother clapped his hands in
applause.
A few moments later, and the boy had
shouldered the shovel, and was running
with all his might up the street.
He has stolen Guys shovel" cried
Anita, starting from her seat "Stop
him stop him /" she called, rushing to
the door. 20, Guy, can t you catch him ?"
as her brother came up the steps. "Chase
him Call some one u
." I let him take it, said Guy, quietly.
You let him take 1t p repeated Anita.
80, Guy, how could you? Mamma,
Guy shovel he has loaned it to a boy
that he doesn't know-that I don't be-
heve he ever saw till today
Not, SO fast, put in Guy, as Anita
hurried her mother out on the stoop to
see pair of heels nearly out of sight
When you hear al! about it, mamma,
know you will say 1t was right.
The day wore on. There was a ring
at the bell. Anita rushed to the stairs,
and then back to the sitting-room.
Tisn't him, she announced, INGRAM
matically +" and the street lamps are be-
ing lit. What do you think now, mamma ?
And you, too, Guy ?"
90, don't give him up" answered
Guy, cheerfully.
You don't and why ?"
Because he promised"
But he promised to be here FIVE hours
ago. argued Anita.
Here Mary tapped at the door.
A wee mite OF thing, ma am, as says
she wasn't big enough to lug it home. It
only herself, ma am, as knows what she
means. She's been all day, she says,
a-hndin of the house, and is out on the
steps now a-cryin as though her heart d
break"
Guy had understood, and when Anita
and her mother came down stairs it was
to find little girl in the hall clinging to
his arm, and crying bitterly.
" He died thinkin' twas his n, were
the words they caught in spite of her
tears. ALI said you wouldn't blame
him when you knew. It's right by him
now, and the little frame shook with
deep sobs, while the words came more
broken STILL ALT wanted you to see it
there, and told me to besure and tell You
all how he died thinkin' twas his'n. >"
" must not stay. ALI told me to come
for some one. o, please come back with
me" she implored of Guy. He said he
knew you would when I told you he was
dead"
" Not Alfred !" moaned Anita, with re-
pentant tears not dead T.
Not him, said the little one, softly
-" not him. I mean our little brother
Georgy."
1t isn't far, said Lottie, as Guy, hav.
ing hurried on his things, half led, half
followed her in the direction she babe
him. A" Most there most there, she re-
peated at every turn, tightening her hold
on Guy as though she feared he might
leave her, There, now we've passed the
last lamp, and it gets darker and darker
but l sha mt get lost no fear of that,