Western cyclone., 1886-10-14

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monotonously in the stiffness.
"Can I do anything for you, mother"
Jack asked, approaching her.
"Yes, my son." she answered, looking
at him tendeyly, her eyes bright with
fever, a scarlet spot blazing on either
cheek. "You may give me a drink OF
water with your own hands"
Jack gave her the water, tenderly rails
ing her head with his arm under the pill
low, that she might drink more easily.
AS he replaced the glass upon the table
she softly clasped his left hand in her
fingers, and 80 holding it fell asleep.
In the meantime the boys had gone a
good distance on their way toward In
dian Ford. Fred drove Dobbin, the
speckled horse, which could do DO more
than draw the wagon containing the
portables, owing to his extreme age and
equal reluctance. After they had passed
Squire Elton's rabbit scampered across
the road, and all except Fred started off
in hot pursuit. He, in charge of the
wagon, looked after them wistfully, but
knowing that he could not relinquish hA
post drove on reaching the ford little
before them. In a short time they came
rushing up out of breath, finging them
selves Oh the grass, in the shade, wiping
their moist foreheads and tanning their
flushed faces with their hats It was a
pleasant spot where they had chosen to
picnic. The ground sloped down to the
pebbly margin of the river, shaded by
sYcamores, and the opposite bank rose
sheer and straight, rocky wall in which
sand martins had built their nests
around which they were perpetually how
eriDg and twittering. Long ferns trailed
across the crevices, and hundred tiny
streams of ice-cold water trickled down
over the emerald MOSES. The air was
fragrant with the odor of mint, and of
growing things that flourish in damp
and shady places. It was as solitary as
though it were miles from civilization,
anG for this reason all the more delight
full 10 the boys.
"Why, where's ?" suddenly asked
one Of the Deans, raising himself on his
elbow and looking about.
II thought he was with you" said
Fred, also somewhat surprised.
sand we thought he had overtsken
you, and come on with the wagon.
''Oh, he's found lame dog or lost
cat on the way" said Tom, who lay
lazily tossing his heel, with his hat drawn
down over his eyes to shield them from
the reflection OF the light from the water,
meditatively chewing grass-blade as he
spoke. "And, BESIDES" he added, "he's
always behind time. He'll be here-we
needn't wait" So, after little wonder
ing and impotence, they set themselves
to work to get as much as possible out Of
the afternoon. Time passed rapidly, so
absorbing were their occupations-there
were 80 many of them struggling off in
groups of twOs and threes, each absorbed
in amusing himself, so that the sun was
low in the west before they realized that
it was late and that Jack had not yet
made his appearance. They came back
to the wagon at Fred's shrill halloo, all
now seriously concerned.
"Well," said Fred, philoscphically, as
he set out the eatables, sit isn't worth
while to go back now and look for him.
Well have lunch and start home. Moth
ing could have happened, or somebody
would have come for us. Father knows
where We are" The boys accepted this
explanation with perfect Willingness,
and in doing justice to the lunch con-
soled themselves for jacks failure to ar
rive.
Jack, all this time, was at home sit
ting a prisoner, in the darkened room, by
his mothers bedside. She still clung to
his hand, which he could not release,
and her slumber grew more and more
profound. This was the precious sleep
upon which her restoration to health de-
pended, and Jack listened to the soft,
regular breathing, not daring 10 move.
The house was very quiet. The slow
footsteps of passersby echoed distinctly
in the still heat. The cicada shrilled In
the locust trees along the sidewalk. The
town clock struck two, three and then
four His limbs, cramped with their
position, Rched with WEAKNESS. He be-
gan to grow weary and nod, and only
kept awake by reminding himself that it
was his mother, not he, who must sleep.
It grew cooler as the sun dropped behind
the trees, and thus, the hours seeming
like days, the afternoon wore away.
The town clock struck again-one
two, three, four, fve-and Mrs. Brown
ing stirred, sighed, and woke. She
looked at Jack, loosing her hold upon
his benumbed hand with a confused ex-
preston. Then realizing that he must
have been there all the afternoon, ex-
claimed:
"Why, Jack! thought you were
with the boys"
he laughed and Strengthened his
cramped fingers. mo, mother, you
chung to me so affectionately that l could
not get loose. You know you had to
sleep, and can go fishing almost any
day"
Mrs. Browning did not laugh; neither