The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-08-23

she had learned, long before this. to master
her impulses, and she crept downstairs, to
find the front door unfastened Unheeding
rain and wind, she ran out in the darkness
to the gate, which was also unfastened.
Watch, the dog, was gone-he must have
followed his young master.
As loudly as she dared, she called her
brothers name, and then, sure that he was
by this time out of hearing, she ran back
to the house, found shawl in the hall
closet, and left the house, shutting the
door behind her, softly.
The next train was due at half-past elev-
en- o'clock.
Robert must be waiting at the little sta
ton in the woods, half a mile away. The
rain beat heavily, the wind blew SO fercely
that she caught her breath with difficulty.
The path was hard to keep. Occasionally
she staggered in among the thick bushes
ON either side the narrow foot way, and
once something bounded across the road
but before she could give way to fright,
she felt the cold nose of Watch against
her hand.
go Watch, where is Robert? Garry me
to himr' she cried, somewhat treasured
now that she had a protector. Presently
she stumbled against the platform of the
little station, that lose like huge, black
shadow before her.
Robert Robert. 1t is l, Bertha; are
you here? o Robert, don't leave mel
s'Are yon crazy, Bertha? and such a
night as this! You will get your death
how dared you come through these woods?'
81 came after you. Robert, you must
go baek-you must. It's awfully selfish
in you to run off, and father will be broken
hearted if you do. Can't You bear as much
as can? and only girl See. am wet
through and through, and cold and fright
ened, but | won't mind it if you'll only
come home. If you 60, I'll stay out in the
storm all night. How can | go back and
tell them you stole out of the house like a
thief at midnight? If you must go, Rob-
ert, go in the face of the day and of every
body. 1t would kill me to hear people say
you had run away. o Robert, think, it
will be disgrace fo- all of ns-shame, mis-
cry and disgrace"
Il tell you can't bear it's he said, and
stamped on the loose boards of the plat
form. 81 might as well 60 now as any
time
"No, not now, for my sake-wait at
least till-till l talk to father. What
would mother say, Robert If she sees
us now'-she broke down utterly sobbing
bitterly as if her heart wonld break
s'Come on-rll go back. +" said Robert,
sullenly. s'Here, Watch the dog came
bounding to his side. Stop crying, Ber-
| tha-poor little thing how you shiverl
There, THERE he said, softening, as he
pnt his arm abont her, well go on the
run, to keep You from getting cold-but
mind, don't promise to stay-only |
won't go this time.
1t was week after Roberts attempt to
leave home, and Bertha was very sick
The fright and exposure of that terrible
night had brought on fever.
Il can't think how that child took such
a cold, . said Aunt Mary, as she came into
the living room one morning. "From the
day she had that miserable chill she has
been growing steadily worse. I'm worried
about her. and so is the doctor. The poor
child in her delirium imagines Robert is
going away"
Grandma Macy let her knitting fall to
her lap, folded her hands and looked sor-
rowfuliy into the fire.
'1t's two years this month siuce her
mother died. she said softly. 'Where' S
Robert?"
.'Tp stairs, with her-you can hardly
get .lim ont of the room. The boy isvery
fond of her 1t is for her sake, ! fancy,
that he didn't leave home months ago.
Aunt Mary little knew how nearly she had
hit the truth.
Day after day dragged ON and the fever
did its work. Robert hardly gave himself
time to eat, SO anxious was he to be by has
sisters bedside. Heg grew haggard, watch
ing night and day-reproachIng himself
constantly.
you'll stay now, won't you, Roberto
she said feebly. one day. you won'i
leave father alone? Father will be differ
ent when lam gone.
"When you are gone-o Bertha, said
the boy, brokenly. 'Do as | did, whei
YOU begged me down there in the old depot
stay for my sake.
.If could, dear--but it isn't as say
and-I want you to promise me never to
leave poor father-and when the money
comes-help him all you can-will you?
an do everything you ask me, sobbe'
the boy. I'm give him all the money.
don't want it--without you.
Don't you think. said Grandma Macy
very softly, to Aunt Mary, one day, "tha
1 there great change come over Jabez
| He hasn't spoken cross word to Robei
| since our little girl came downstairs. An
the boy seems like another person, "a
willing and clipper about his work as ca
be-"
And Robert was saying to Bertha, VIII
sat, white as lily, in her little splir
/ rocker, by the window.
| al don't care how hard work now, an