Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-19
4. Brothers Keeper!
MARY HARTWELL-CATHERWOOD

hair iS turnin'. 1 ought to have young hand in training for my old age. You've dragged him around at your apron string too long, anyhow. Now, sec here, Thorney," Thano chewcd rapidly at his tobacco, jerked his head as low as the window-sin and in- stantly reappeared with one cheek distend- | ed; "hcre stands your sister and her hne notions about honor and honesty that she's always preached at you. But has she done any thing for you:"
 ''She never took my tin whlstle,' nut | tered Thorncy.
 Blast your tin whistle! only took it to make you follow mo round. You listen to | me and you'll get your tin whistlc back and | the cash to buy plenty more. Don't y<ja have to work hard for very little moneyF | Thorncy dogscdly acknowledged his in- | juries.
 | "Go away" burst out Phoebe, "and let | the boy alone. You are only trying to tor ment me through mm. You ShGm't harm | him."
 ''No want to do him good, said Thanc. "You sec it's herself always, and you and me counted out, Thornoy. When you're as old as am she'll want to drop you altogether like she does me- Hcr programmc's work for you and easy times for my lady. PH l make your fortune for you"
 ''Now you're gittn' it down to fine point" remarked Thorney, with cunning grin.
 "Why doesn't he make his own fortunc," | demanded Phoebe, ''instead of constantly stripping us!'
 | Thorncys expression changed to blank and opcn-mouthcd doubt. He could grasp but one idea at timc and his feeble hold on that kept his head moving like q ball bctwiXt these two more powerful nat urcs.
 "You ought to be enjoying lifc,' contin- aed Thanc, "instcad of chopping and dig gng for living. You ought to know where gold watches and full pocket-books grow, and you've wit enough to get at them if somebody gave you few hints"
 "He gets it down to a fine point,h said Thorney, challenging Phoebe.
 > Look into my eyes, Thorney," she said. He attempted to do so, but his gaze sank before her blazing carnestnoss. Did he ever do any thing for us but get us into trouble! Have we not learned what we know, in spite of himf Haven't we always | been happieSt and safest when he was in prlsoni Is it likely that he will ever be diff fercnti"
 Thorney now challenged Thane with q wag of the head.
 "Shs's gittin' down to a fine point" he re- marked.
 .'You and 1 must stand by each other What have in tl,c world but you, ThorncyJ have cli,.- ,h to bear without your desert ing me-"
 Il ain't desertin' you," said Thorney dropping his head with distressed quicker | of the mouth.
 "Hang to the apron string, sonny" ex hortcd his other mentor at the window Thorney mcnaccd hlm with slowly clenchcd fist. ''You ain't give up my tiI whistle yet, any way.''
 "I'n blow on 1t when I want you,n saiC ! Thane, removing his elbows from the win dow sill. I'm staying round the ncighbor hood, and I'll see you both again. Keep al ear open for that whistle, ThOrney." t The window glass again shuddcrcd ant | clinked as he drew down the sash. H. paused EmAncnt and laughed through the l patched pane at them, puttied crack con | tributing to the distortion of his face.
 After he disappeared Phoebe covered I down in a seat with her head bowed. = "What ails yout" inquired Thorney, star | ing suspiciousy. "You ain't afraid 0 Thane, are you:''
 Phoebe shook hcr head without lifting it.
 "I ain't," said ThOrn0y, stretching out hi arm to feel the muscle. "lIe ain't no mul beside of me. won't Jet him hit you lill he used to. And blame if he ain't got t ', give that tin whistle up; won't stand it n He took my tin whistle Thane did," an nouncCd ThOrncy, in way calculated t impress his sister by the startling news.
 She took her wrap from it's nail near tn
 
 liquid reflection.
 'You no account wrctch," sand Phoebe t the face thus meeting her from some lowe world, you cant do any thing but star up from the pit you are in.'' , That whistle cost me u quarter of q do J lar" rumiuatcd Thorney, bitterly.
 Be comforted about it, Thurney," sai his sister, laying her head against his arm
 I've will surely get our whistles back yet.
 tI'Thpua OaV0r tOOlE nOno from "
 'He has not left mo even penny whistle Thorney, to amuse myself with since yo and were little children"
 The spring days succeeded one another i | monotony. There was change going on 1 LS the earth, and the buds swelled large upo the trees, though scarcely flush of greer even in the awakening iichens, showed il self through the woods
 Phoebe felt another change growth around her. She was at first so alert fC = Thanes expected footstep that the meanin of whispers in her school, hints from Rand v Thompson, and the silences of Mrs. Holmes \ quite escaped her. He did not appear. He breath by degrees grew freer, and sh turned again to the simple pleasures of 6! ma istence to find they were taken from he ed If she coaXed Toddles to rock on her la l.. Mrs. Holmes had an errand with him out { - the room. Her host looked at her with
 
 cordiality. She met Adam and Nose Gu
 once or twice, and their curious insolenC
 brought fire into her eyes. av There were such silences at table tn,
 her food choked her. It was no long,
 itandy's pleasure to wait on the prett
 creature whom she considered such a chil,
 and to sit in Phoebe's room when eveI II. body else was in bed, telling neighborho( he traditions. No one wanted her to do ar
 thing for him. An invisible circle of SC
 aration was drawn around her. Twice sl . walked to the farmhouse where Thorn'
 was hired to make sure that no harm hi
 befallen him, and enjoy his unthinkil
 companionship. Mrs, Holmes spent an al
 ernoon with Miss Fawcett, and brought n
 the slightest message from one girl to u Int other. And liked her so, thought Phoeh
 "And she was sg kinq 10 met Gurl
 called, and Mrs. Holmes gently devoted he
 self to his entertainment. Also, whatev