The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-02-18
ALEX VERNON.


and little Helen Hawthorne sprang
from her low seat by the warm fire.
side, the rich glow deepening on her
fair cheek, and a sudden excitement
leaping into her dark gray eyes.
Nonsense, dear !" answered the
mother after a moments silence.
1T was your imagination. My lit
tie girl is fanciful to night" and she
bent to stroke back the thickly clus.
tering curls from the low, white brow,
as she pressed a fond fervent kiss
upon it.
1t was a pretty figure upon which
the freight danced and flickered
that cold Christmas Eight-the warm,
luxurious room, with the tall. ele
CANT woman in its midst, and the
little daintily dressed child by her
side.
Without, the wind swept by, hurl-
ing great masses of snow on its wings,
and dashing through the bare, leaf
less branches of the trees.
The child shuddered as she listen
ed to its moan.
II am quite sure l heard it, mann
ma. Suppose any one was out on
such a night. 1t would be dreadful.
Let me open the door a moment
Just a moment !"
And, without waiting for the re-
fusal trembling on the mothers lips
she darted forward and threw open
the great outside door.
In another instant the bell sent q
sharp peal through the house, for on
the very threshold lay PROSTATE
body, already half buried in the
shroudingsnow.
Five minutes later and the lad had
been carried to a sofa, and restora-
tives given him.
"Will he live, mamma? Do you
think he will live?"
But in answer to her question, the
lids slowly lifted themselves, and
the great black eyes rested wonder
ingly on the childs face, bending SO
anxiously over him.
Had the death he thought so near
indeed overtaken him, and was this
heaven be had reached?
He feared to waken from his
dream, and find himself again hope
less. and starving, and cold.
With q long drawn sigh he closed
his eyes, only to find the fascination
of the present overcome him, and
impel him to again gaze on his sur
roundings.
But his wonder only deepened
when the reality was brought home
to him-when he discovered that it
was life, not death, and earth. not
heaven, and that he was not to be
driven out again into the cold and
bitter night.
Through its long, silent hours he
lay motiOnless in this warm resting
place, picturing in the darkness, the
child's face until it became stereo-
typed on heart and brain.
The next day he told his story.
He was a poor lad, orphaned and
friendless. They discharged me
from my last place." he said, "be-
cause I carried a book about with
me, and the boss said it would teach
me to dream instead of work. was
only trying to learn something in
my idle minutes, though l couldn't
find much time, and l didn't take
my employers. However, he was
a hard. stern man, and bade me 60.
| started West. The little money |
had gave out. The storm overlook
me. | struggled on as Dest | could,
until l grew faint and sick. Some
where in the distance l saw light.
l struggled toward it.
You know the rest. Now | am
strong and we'll again, the storm is
over, and can only thank you ina
few poor words for your generous
kindness, and 60 my way"
Papa will Be home this after
noon, {" answered the child. He is
the owner ofall the mills about here.
If you would like, / will ask him to
give you . place; and there is
school ct night for the hands, 80 you
can study too"
sIf / would like p
1t was all he said, but little Helen
Hawthorne needed no other words.
She knew that a great lump in his
throat had choked his further utter
ance and that he had turned away
to hide the tears.
The next week saw her promise
fulfilled, and Alex Vernon stood
once more . man among men. He
found a place in the night school,
too. Nor did his young patroness
forget him. In some way she dis
the books he needed, and
lent then to him, until he grew to
associate her with every good thing
Of his new life. One morning she
sent for him.
Il am going TO Europe with
Alex" she said, ito be
gone great many years. When ]
osue back / hope 70 find you man
pape's overaeer. I wanted
TO tell you that if you wanted any
hooks from the library, l would
leave this key with you and you
might come up and get them"
The sunlight was streaming full
on her face and the gold Of her hair,
- she spoke, but to the boy listen
ing, . dark mist seemed to roll be-
tween them. She was going away
for years-she who had saved him
from death, or worse than death.
The next minnie she felt Just :
little hurt, e, without = word a
be abruptly took the KY
md hurried from her presence.