The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-26

tim but the now an wrapped him up warm
o slape."
But: Mary-my Godl What do you
mean?"
"Manei Shure, that can't carry you
an the childer. too," said Mary S; imply,
IAN it's shrue ye can't walk any further.
Och, don't be talkin, but hould yer own
tight while l lift We. Shure. It's not the
featherweight We are. Don't be talkin,
say" choking with an almost fierce au-
thority the resistance which Mrs. Glare
would fain have offered as she was lifted
from the ground. But iv yer never axed
the mother o. God to pray for We an yours,
as ye're mother Yourself ak her now
for me-
And on she strobe as she spoke. walking
far more swiftly now under her burden
than when she had to accommodate her
steps to the fragile creature behind her,
though now and then sob broke from her
bosom, rendng the heart of the PROSTATE
woman she carried.
Mary felt sure that could she only reach
shelter she knew of-nanely, an ancient
tomb half hidden among jungle and creep
ing IN thlcket near the river, and
which, though once often used as q Sleep
lng-place for tramps, fakirs and smugglers,
had by some accident, mysteriOusly sig
nlhcant to the natives, become unclean,
and had been stunned hencefOrth as an
accursed and polluted spot by NOLAN
medan and Brahman alike-tbey might
safely hide there until the return of the
regiment from Susi.
And she did. AS the eastern sky flushed
into delicate rose color, tintiug earth
and cloud with an ineffable opaline glory,
her sore and weary feet stumbled heavily
into the thicket of which she had been in
search, and dropped on the damp earth
within, with cry of thankfulness, half
lnaudible from fatigue.
They were safe.
And Mrs. Clare, rising TO her knees,
took the brown hands, to which she owed
her life, in her little fingers, covering
them with her tears and kisses as again
and again she poured thanks and bless
ings upon her preserVer. Mary checked
her.
whist Not word above yer breath
Shure. it's scarce one hundred yards we are
from the road, and I'm hearin' somethiB'
passin' the now"
Mems voices were indeed audible. laugh
ing and talking loudly along the road.
There might have been half a dozen by
the noise, but whether they were desert
erS or only coolies on the way to labor,
the women could not tell as they cow
cred IN the Utmost recesses of their sane
tuaTy. not even venturing for the next
nall hour 10 creep out to drink at a little
muddy pool among the reeds, though
DdTCuCU
and swollen by this time that during the
period OF waiting they had hardly been
able, even to whisper a word to each
other.
Mrs. Clare. with great discretion, drank
spariDgly and would fain have coaxed
Mary TO do the same. but the latter plunged
her hot face deep into the water, swallow
Ing 1t in gulps and only replying when she
had slaked her thirst to the full.
Lave me alone. It's got to last me till
[ get back"
''Backl Where?" Mrs. Glare asked,
but was abashed by the reply.
'Shure, an is il lave me child for good
I'd be dOin'?"
Gertrude burst into tears. Her long
fainting fit had confused her, and she no W
reproached herself bitterly.
AID, how could let you'll And you
whom Eve often looked down on! Why
didn't you leave me instead?"
"4e're woman yerseP," said Mary,
gently. AN could We be afther LAWN a
teller woman now to the marcy O. thin
black OWLS? AS to the boy, aeushla,'
her plain features working unrestrained.
ly with the sorrow she tried not to express
In words, wasn't it betther to lave him
awhile, and be shaping like an angel in me
ould cloak, that's for ahll the world the
color O. the groun'? Shure, l TUX him to
the front meself afore liver we left Cal
afIher dom for yours, I'll be bound, the
purity wee craythur! So Ia the clane
right to say to our blessed Lord, It's We he
belongs to now, so take care of him till
I'm comm back, for it's meself is takin
care of poor unbelavin' sowl for ye,'
said, an where would that be eff
didn't?"
But Mary, Mary. DEAR" cried Mrs
Clare, weeping more freely for the girl's
simplicity ana confidence, don't go now
1t Will only be throwing away your OWL
life. and if they have discovered him-oh.
please God. they have nOt!-i will be toe
late. too late 10 save. Don't, MaryI The
Sixth will be here few hours hence, and
then we will go back together under good
guard and search for him. and he shall
never want for anything again. if can
help it, or you either. Only stayr'
But Mary shook her rough head logged.
ly.
Il could thrust him above to help me
when was thryln TO help him." she said
but eff twas carin for meself l Was-Au