Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-09-06


what he read. But he did not seem
able to confine his thoughts to the
paper to-day and after glancing at it a
few minutes he threw it aside and re-
sumed his aimless meditations
AT last he rose with serious air,
and began to pace back and forth be-
meath the great tree. He held his head
up, and there was manliness in his
bearing and grave reasonableness in
his whole demeanor which impressed
his mother, as she sat not far away,
yearningly watching him. "Oh, if he
only hadn't "a fell on the ice So she
moaned to Idalia, who was reading be-
side her, what a splendid man he
would "a made! He's better'n half the
men us it is, she went on, cholingly,
Hes good, an he's Industrious The
idea of shuttin' him up in an asylum"
"Oh, mother, DON'T" begged Idalia.
81 can't bear to think about it,"
She threw her book aside, and mo-
ment later her clear young voice rang
out upon the warm summer air, ac-
companied by the strains of the 'instru-
ment, otherwise a cheap melodeon,
which was her choicest possession.
The old-fashioned clock struck five
just as she went in. Shortly afterward,
Lem Harris came around the curve of
the road leading from the Doanes'. As
he went by, he hesitated a little. Then
he paused outright. Mrs Temple
,hought that he was fascinated by
Idalia's music, but he turned on his
heel and came through the wooden
gate to the spot where Mrs. Temple
was sitting, She rose uneasily to re-
ceive him.
Il wish, Mrs. Temple" he began in
a low voice, and glancing cautiously
at Lonnie, pacing abstractedly back
and forth beneath the great tree, 81
wish you would contrive to keep Lon
ME away from Mrs Doanes. 1t both
ers them, after his performances at the
Barrys."
81 know it does,-I know it." ad-
mitted the widow, tremulously, Il
didn't know it along at first,
mean to stop it right off-though they
needn't worry about him, Lem. He
wouldn't hurt one of 'em any morn he
would Idalye r me-
In spite of Idalia's singing, and softly
as they had spoken, the young giant
pacing back and forth three or four
rods away, had heard them, with a
dark frown upon his face; but he still
retained the indefinable air of dignity
which he had worn ever since he had
begun to walk up and down the green
sward.
Whats the matter, mother?' he
asked ignoring almost with hauteu1
the presence of the young man. "What
did You say, mother?'
Never mind, Lonnie," she urged.
soothingly, Lem Harris began e.
edge away.
What did you say to my mother {?
demanded Lonnie, striding after him.
The young man attempted to smile,
but made failure of it. 'Its of no
consequence Lonnie. Never mind.
guess FL go now. Good-by."
But you won't go!" cried Lonnie
excitedly, and planting himself directly
in front of his visitor. You won't 60
till you tell me what is the matter"
''Nothing's the matter, retorted Lem
Harris, plucking up courage and be e-
ginning to grow impatient, Let m5
by there. l want to CO."
There is something the matter.
too" Lonnies voice trembled and hie
vast frame was shaking.
There isn't, either 4"
You lie, Lem Harris, you lie r
yelled the idiot, and with the words he
raised his powerful hand and felled the
young man to the earth.
With a shrek the distracted mother
flung herself between them and lifted
the fallen man from the grass. Idali3
came rushing out, her pretty face as
white as Lem Harris. Lonnie did not
stir. His eyes were wild and startled.
He quivered from head to foot, and
seemed utterly bewildered.
why, he don't know anything p
exclaimed the widow, breathlessly.
Il do know but you've killed him.
Here take n carry him in n lay him or
the lounge. Oh, me What did you
ever do it for Now they'll take you
away n shut you up, sure Oh, me |!
Oh, mel" and both she and Idalia
groaned as they hurried about, getting
camphor and other restoratives for the
injured man.
They had scarcely entered the house
when Mr.. and Mrs. Doane drove by on
their way to the early evening meeting
Mrs. Temple saw them, and breathed a
prayer of thankfulness that they had
not happened along in time to sec
Lonnie knock down their prospective
son-in-law. By this time she had as
sured herself that it was only a ques-
tion of a few moments when the young
man would revive. Lonnie had struck
him squarely on the forehead. The
skin was broken there, and bump
had arisen which was as large as a
birds egg.
There goes Mr., Doane Shall call
him? p asked Lonnie, with touching
simplicity.
'No-for PHYS sake, no, you crazy
boy Why, they'd have you shut up
right away, Lonnie. Lemll be all
right pretty soon-hes s breathing regu-