The Press., 1893-04-06
Nicholas nodded grinly.

N-
 Nicholas nodded grimly.
 ''I've got enough to pay you an take me to Jackson"
 q tell ye, stop talkin about your money"
 fs Stephen said no more; he looked terri fled.
 The air grew warmer. Everything was quiet, except for the detonations of the frost in the forest outside and its sharp cracks in the house walls. Soon Stephen fell asleep and lay breathing short and hard. Nicholas sat beside him.
 It was broad daylight when Stephen aroused himself. He awoke suddenly and completely and began to get out of bed.
 "I guess it's time was goin," said he. "I'm much obleeged to yee, MT. Gum" "You lay still" Stephen looked at him. "You lay still" repeated Nicho- las.
 Stephen sank back irresolutely; his timid, bewildered eyes followed Mich olas, who was smoothing his hair and beard before little looking glass near the window. There was a good fire in the cooking stove, and the room was quite warm, although it was evidently very cold day. The two windows were thickly coated with frost, and the room was full of dim white light. One of the windows faced toward the east, but the sun was still hidden by the trees across the road. Nicholas smoothed his hair and his wild beard slowly and punctiliously. Stephen watched him.
 'sMr. Gunn," he said at length.
 "What say?"
 s'Pm afraid-I shan't get to the depot before the train goes if I don't start pretty soon.''
 Nicholas went on smoothing his beard. At length he laid his comb down and turned around.
 ''Look here!' said he; "you might jest as we'll understand it. You ain't a-goin to any depot today, an you ain't a-goin to any train, an you ain't a-goin to any depot tomorrow nor to any train, an you ain't a-goin the next day, nor the next, nor the next, nor the next after that"
 ''What be a-goin to doY'
 "You are a-goin to stay jest where you are. I've fought against your comin as long as I could, an now you've come, an Eve turned the corner, you are a-goin to stay. When I've been walking in the teeth of my own will on one road, an havin all could do to breast it, ain't a-goin to do it on another. I've give it up, an I'm a-goin to stay give up. You lay still" Stepben's small, anxious face on the pillow looked almost childish. His help lessness of illness seemed to produce the same expression as the helplessness of infancy. His hollow, innocent blue eyes were fixed upon Nicholas with blank in- quiry.
 "Won't Miss Morrison be after mel" he asked finally. ''No, she won't. Don't you worry. still" Nicholas shook his coat before he put it on; he beat his cap against the wall, then adjusted it carefully. "Now," said he, "Tm a-goin. I've left enough wood in the stove, an guess it'll keep warm till get back. I shan't be gone any longer than can help"
 ''Mr. Gunnr'
 "What say?"
 'I ruther guess I'd better be a-goin."
 Nicholas looked sternly at Stephen.
 "You lay still," he repeated. "Don't you try3to get up whilst I'm gone; you ain't fit to. Don't you worry. I'm a-goin to fix it all right. I'm a-goin to bring you something nice for breakfast. You lay still."' Stephen stared at him; his thin shoulders hitched uneasily under the coverlid. You're a-goin to lay still, ain't you?" repeated Nicholas.
 "Yes, will if you say so,'' replied Stephen. He sighed and smiled feebly
 The truth, was that this poor cot in the warm room seemed to him like couch under the balsa1n dropping cedar of Leb- anon, and all at once he felt the rest of the divine consolation which comes from leaning upon the will of another. "Well, do say so,' returned Mich olas.
 He looked at the fire again. Then he went out. He turned in the doorway and nodded admonishingly at Stephen Mind you don't try to get up," he said again.
 MICROBES WenC out OI SlBnC QOWn the road, taking long strides over the creak- ing snow. He was gone about half an hour. When he returned his arms were full of packages. He opened the door and looked anxiously at the bed. Stephen twisted his face toward him and smiled. Nicholas piled the packages upon the table and lifted stove cover.
 i've seen Miss Morrison and it's all right" said he.
 s'What did she say?' asked Stephen in an awed voice.
 "Well, she didn't say much of any thing. She was fryin griddle cakes for