Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-01-26

from the direction OF the village ana
approached Jeremiah Motifs cart. She
looked round to see that no one watched
her, and then laid the basket very
gently among the straw in the body of
the vehicle. For a moment she lin
gered, then she drew the shawl closely
about her face and hurried away.
At the end Of half an hour Jerry
emerged from the inn, climbed TO his
seat, bade tho pony proceed aud rolled
away again. lie left the colliery vii
lage behind him and was soon In tho
open country Left to himself once
more the little green grave In Willow
mere churchyard began TO haunt him
again. lie sighed as he pictured the
lonely cottage at home. Bob aud his
wife would be there waiting his return,
and, no doubt, still sorely troubled by
their bereavement
"Eh," sighed Jerry to himself,
"what n deal o. difference a little
'un dew make, sure-lyl Id gil hum
dred goold guineas TO have 1t back"
The road grew rather rough. They
had been laying down a course Of dross
uron IL, and the pony staggered bit
as he picked his way in the darkness
over the sharp points. The cart had no
springs, and 1t began TO jolt and shake
somewhat Presently IL got over the
stones and on TO smooth.surfaccs again.
Then jerry was suddenly aware Of n
childs faint cry somewhere close at
hand. lie started and priclSed his ears
like n Watchdog.
Seems 10 me like child a-cryin',"
guf1 ha NsXaa-ff,a ,IsIl
Whoa, Robin, lad-let's see what this
may be. Whoa, then"
The pony stopped and Jeremiah got
down, and having lighted his lantern
went over toward the hedgeside. The
cry had STOPPED then lie looked about
him curiously, but saw nothing.
Must be on t'other side" said he, and
went stamping across the lane. Then
the fnint cry came again and the car
rier Strengthened himself up in amaze
ment
blessed II faint in my carti" said
he. "Well-well-this do be very per-
ticker strange. A child cryin' in my
cart"
lie held the lantern over the cart tail
and looked ut the miscellaneous col
lection of baskets, bags and parcels
arranged there. And then his face
grew troubled, for no saw hamper
and did not recognize II.
Dear, dear!' said Jeremiah. Here
be strange work. misdoubt. didn't
never put that i my cart"
The hamper lid was loose, and Jerry
turned 1t back and gazed with aston
ished eyes on the sight that presented
itself. For there, warmly wrapped in
various ancient garments, lay baby
girl, fair-haired and blue-eyed, which
stared Mt Jerry's wrinlSled and weather.
beaten face, and smiled contentedly.
Dear a-nel" said the carrier Dear
a.mel"
lie stood staring mt the baby until II
began to whimper again. There was
feeding bottle in che basket with IL,
and Jerry fastened to thrust the tube
into the little rosy mouth. at the same
time giving voice TO certain soothing
chuclSlcs which he had used when hush
ing his little dead granddaughter to
sleep. Then he covered the baby up
again and went forward to Little Ash
by and pulled up ut the door Of the
Brown Cow" lie stayed inside little
came forth again the stout, comiotvd.
ble-loolSinS laudlady followed him to
the cart
Look zee there, missis," said Jerry,
holding his lanthorn over the sleeping
baby's face. Look zee therel"
The landlady nodded and sighed
"Ah, poor dearlr said she. "Tis Just
a dispensation o. Providence. Master
Motif is, indeed. Take it home to
Bob's poor wife-maybe it'll comfort her
for the loss Of the other"
So jeremiah set forward over the last
mile of road to Willowmere. The baby
slept quietly all the way for the road
was smooth and the motion OF the cart
was soothing,
Poor Bob, his eyes red with weeping
for the dead baby, was at the gate to
welcome his father Jeremiih got
down from his perch very softly
and approached him.
Now, my lad" said Jerry, chow do
zee feel now, like, and how's poor
Mpry2"
"liad-vcry bad, feyther, is Mary"
said Bob "lIcr sits by the henrthstone
and don't say word to nobody. Mis-
] treSS W nltc-Sne says NJ II Ony mary
! ID cry bit 7 would do her good, but
her don't cry-not tear"
Bob" said the old man, "lool thee
here!"
lie held the lanthorn over the sleep
ing baby. Bob, opening his eyes and
mouth, stared and gazed in amazement
The old man set down the light, and,
lifting the child from its nest, turned
with it toward the house. Mary sat by
the hearth as he entered, her eyes dry
and burning her face full OF despair.
MARY" said old Jeremiah, very
softly "Mary-look thee here, my
dear"
lie laid tho sleeping baby on her
knee. 1t suddenly woke and shed the
full light of its blue eyes upon her. For
Il second she gazed at 1t wonderinglyi
then she clasped it in her arms and the
hot tears began to rain down upon its
round little face. Old Jeremiah
watched the little group wonderingly,
then he turned, sighed and went back
TO his cart. Chronicle.
Servant lin an intelligence officel-
| GLOW many in familv?" Iusband-