The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-02-11

DdCks MATS. II tIlUc ucaQbtIOnkf Who IcnAlJ
q good sort OF girl, as you will see. She at
once insisted that Mrs. Shafto should lie in
be d, while she did the work. This was not
the first time she had done Homework, for
she had often shared with her mother the
work of their cosy little home. But here it
was very different she found. There were so
few utensils and no one to give any direc-
tons. So when she sat down By her cunts
bedside, late in the afternoon, she was very
tired.
Even her ignorant eyes saw that Mrs.
Shafto was no better. In q few minutes Mr..
Shafto came in, looking so tired and worried
that bis wife gszed at him anxiously. He
sat down heavily in the wooden chair near
the bed broom door, and leand his head on
bis hands.
david, what is itp asked Mrs. shaito,
feebly.
:'The revolvin' apparatus is broke" he
said, in such leaden way that Kate gazsd
at him in surprise
She knew partially what his words meant,
but did not comprehend why they should
cause the sick woman to start up in bed, and
then sink lex with a groan.
And the steamer gone yesterday" she
cried out. "What shall you do?"
The worst of it is" the man said, unless
it flashes, the craft will think it's the station
airy light on the west side, and Pm sdfe
there'll be terrible loss OF life"
Mrs. Sbatto now sat upright in bed, in
spite of her severe headache.
And there's no way by which to send
word to the Marine Department." she said,
despairiDgly.
Her husband shook his head. "There
amt no way, as ye know. 1 can't let em
it'll be long time before they can get back
with the machinery. But how be ye nowP
getting up and approaching the bed.
81 only want little rest" she replied.
hastily; and added, 20, David! what shall
you do bout the light? l can't sleep If the
of their vessels crashing on the rocks because
of that light"
Kate, sensitive and weary, shuddered as
she heard her words.
Now, Catharine," said Mr.. Shafto, don't
you go and worry. / shall stay up there. l
think can turn the light by hand. But it's
goin' to be a tedious business. You needn't
think l shall let the ships be deceived. You
get coed sleep. That's all you've got to
do" Then, turning to Kate, he said, when
you can leave your aunt, come up into the
tower and see the light"
Soon Mrs. Shafto was sleeping uneasily.
Ber ny had come in, and was eating bread
and molasses with audible gusto at the kitch-
en- table.
"lf your mother wants anything, you
wait upon her." she said, as she passed
through the room on her way to the light.
Benny; nodded, and Kate entered the cool,
gloomy and narrow stairway that wound Up
through the tower. AS she emerged into the
small room where the great lanps were, she
was greatly startled by seeing her uncle on
his knees, with his arms out on the single
chair the place contained, and by hearing
him say. in low, strained voice.
o Lord, help me"
Kate hurried up the remaining steps, her
face pale with excitement, aud fear Of she
knew L OF what.
Uncle David" she exclaimed; "what is
tie matter? Surely you and 1 can manage
to turn the light I'm strong aud well, aud
I've been brought up TO work. can do al
most anything If you'll teach re
There was courage and conviction in the
c ear, pleasant voice, and the man was a
trihe cheered. He rose to his feet and turned
toward her: His face was haggsrd and his
eyes looked dull and heavy.
"'Taint furnin' for night it's for weeks"
he said, solemnlv. "And the question is
can We hold out? We are responsible for
mems lives 1 wanted to see We and tell
ye how to do 1T, because my head has such
feeling in it, and my back. that think
may be taken down. While my mind is
clear want to make sure, you know. Some
how, you have look as If ye could be
trusted. Bsnny's too young, Pm afraid.
'Now you Jest watch. I'm goin' through
the whole operation of film and trimmin',
and then turnin'."
Kate did not answer. 1t was not necessary.
The man saw she was as eager as he could
desire. When he had poured the oil,
trimmed the wicks and polished the refec.
tors, he took out his watch and sat down.
Kate bent over him.
ut must fash every minute and half"
he 81 id, land this is the way. 1t amt very
easy. nor very hard, jest for time or two,
Set down here and lay the watch there"
Kate did as he babe her.
''Now turn"
She bent forward, turned the wheels, an /
had the satisfaction of seeing the set of lights
slowly revolve.
There, ye see they stop now" he said.
"Do it again."
He was satisfied.
"You must light Cp at seven at night,
and put 'em out at seven in the morning."
But can't you send for some one9" she
asked.
There amt anybody within milesl and
miles," was the answer; land when ye do
come to somebody, he couldn't leave, for
he's light-keeper too. You don't know this
/ could stiddy myself on your shoulder.
Them are bad stairs for a head like mine"
Kate went one step ahead of him down
the stairway, and he leaned his hand heav-
lily upon her. When they reached the liv-
ing-room, the man, whose force of will had
kept nlIn up Sank III lalut upon Tic
floor.
Mrs. Shsfto was greatly alarmed, but she
was able to give directions to Kate; and in
hall an hour, with Benny's help, Kate had
brought down her own bed and bedstead
from the little chamber, and Mr.. Shafto had
recovered consciousness eaough to rise aud
lie down upon it, where 1t was placed at one
side of the kitchen. AS his head touched
the pillow he caught the girls hand and
said,---
ITS my opinion we've both got typhoid.
Well see to ourselves. You tend to the light
---tend to the light" ne repeated with a pa.
thetic emphasis.
He did not speak coherent sentence after
that for many days.
"You may trust me-" said Kate; but ne
did not hear her.
Now was q time to prove of what stuff
Kate was made. She passed the next hour
in making her two patients as comfortable
as abe could, and then it was six o'clock.
Thel she made basin of Cruel, and ate some
bread and molasses with Benny. After sup.
per she took the boy out of doors.
Benny" she said, your father and moth
er may be i'll for many days. Can 1 depend
on your"
He leaned his back against the house,
looked at her a moment aud then said with
emphasis
"Yes. sir"
81 want you to wrap yourself in COM