Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-12

across the crevices, and a hundred tiny
streams OF ice-cold water tr.cAled down
over tue emerald mOoS2s The air was
fragrant with the Olors Of mint, and OF
the growing thin IS that flourish in damp
and shady places. 1t was as solitary as
though il were miles from civilization,
and for this reason all the more delightful
to the boys
why. where's jack" suddenly asked
one of the Deans, raising himself on his
el rOw and looking about
Il thought he was with you" said Fred,
also somewhat surprised.
And we thou Ght he had Overtaken you,
AM come on with the wagon"
oh he's found a lame dog or lost cat
on the way said Tom, who lay lazily
tossing his heels, with his hat drawn down
over mis- eyes to shiei them from the re-
Election of the light from the water, medi-
tatiyely chewing grass blade as he
spoke And, besides he added, hes
aiways behind time. He'll be here-we
nrcdn't wait 5, after little wonder
il 9 and impatieTCe they set themselves
to work to get As much as possible out Of
the afternoon. Time pasSei rapidly, so
absorbing were their occupations-there
4 were 81 many VI tltHl Oll
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.
We'll, said Fred, pIi.oSophically, as he
set out the eaUbles. 1t isn't worth while
E,,c Oh fnr Wn'll
have lunch and then start home. Nothing
coul have happened, or somebody wOuld
have come for us. Father knows where
We are The boys accepted this explana
tion with p"rtect willingness, and in do
ing justice to the lunch consoled them
selves for Jacks failure to arrive.
Jack. all this time, was at home, sit
ting Il prisoner, in the darkened room, by
his mothers bedside. She still cl ung to his
hand, which ne could not release, and her
slumbers grew more and more profound.
This was the precious sleep upon which
her rest Jration to health depended, and
Jack listened to the soft, regular breath
ing not daring to move. The house was
very quiet. The slow footsteps of passers-
by echoed distinctly in the still heat. The
cicada -hril ed in the locust trees along
Il =
and then l. His limbs, cramped
with their position, acheI with weari-
ness He began to grow weary and nod
and only kept awake by reminding hIm-
self that it was his mOier, not he, VINO
must sleep. 1t grew cooler as the sun
dropped behind the trees, and thus, the
hours seeming like days, tine afternoon
wore away.
The town clock struck again-One, two,
three, four, five - and Mrs. Browning
stirred. sighed, ami woke. She looked at
Jack. loOsing her hold upon his benumbed
hand with II confused expression. Then
realizing that he NUT have been there all
the afternoon, exclaimed:
why, Jack! | Ihoush you were with
the boys
He laughed and Strengthened hi'
cramped fingers. NO, mother, you clunG
TO me SO affectiouatcly that | could moi
get loose. You know you had to sleep
and | can go Il hing almost any day.
Mrs. Browning did not laugl; neither
did Ellen, who, worn out with long
wal ;cuiug had oversight: nor the Other
sisters, who had been deta ned by a teach
ers' meeting AS for the boys, when they
came struggling home at dusk and hearr
tie story. they hung their heads for shame
and reproached themselves for their sci
fishness. Whether Mr.. Bradley heard D
it or not when he returned alter hi
mot hers death can not be definitel!
stated But the pupils thought his lik
ing for Jack was even more marked thai
ever, and, strange to relate, they did no
. object-Mary H. krout.