Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-09-22


The man swung lightly from bush
and branch down the face of the cliff
that had seemed so impossible to
Miss Mobiles. He was about to speed
across the clearing when his eve
caught the futtering of drapcry lie
approaches; he stood with head re
vercntly barred before the slumbcring
pair All! what fair, what touch
ing sight! Had some nymph of tho
mountain Snatched child from Saty'
and was she guarding it through hc'
innate, invincible purity? What pic
turc of sweet and moving innocence.
ronsecrate in infancy, yet far more
holy in immaculate maidcnhood!
Like Acteon, this man drew away,
abaShcd. but naught of Acteon's bold,
eager gaze infiamed his eyes. Like
Action, indeed, he was stirred. but it
was in those thoughtful depths of the
soul where dwellS tender and devoted
chivalry. AS if stealing over tapestry,
Ii" glidcd away. Near by was little
elevation. the tumulus perhaps of Il
forgotten race. Here was Il point uf
vantage from which he could view
approach. Here, like Il knightly sen
tinel. he took his stand. Let the OK
cited rustics range far and wide. he
cared not for their senseless wrath,
his the evident duty to protect such
sacred helplessncss.
There were shouts in the surround
ing woods. Out from the copices rush
rd men and boys. They crowded to-
wards the face of the cliff. they
screamed in triumph, and shook their
rude weapons in the air. Miss Mobiles
SpranS to her feet, and with the child
tightly clasped, confronted them. Her
eyes We're widely extended, her lips
were firm. Whoever these cruel peo-
PIE We're. they should not take that
dear little baby from her. The press
of that tiny hand over her heart threw
back the springs of maternal hcroiSm.
She could endure, she could die. The
breeze spread out her raimcnt. and
revealed her gracious outlines against
the rock. Like Andromda. she was
enchained; like Andromeda, she
dauntlcssly faced the monster.
Then out from his post stepped the
knightly sentinel, cool of manner. de-
termincd of gaze. "'Tis Mr. Grant"
the men exclaimed, and drew back
respectfully. 'Hurrah for the profess
Sort yelled the boys.
well. friends,' he began. "what is
the trouble?" and he smiled as if en-
couaSing children. Then an uproar
responded. "She's witch" "She's
crazy" ''She's stolen the child" "'Tis
, Haworth's baby" Drive her outv'
Lynch her!'-an uproar as ruthless
as when centuries agone pitiless
voices cried ''Crucify.
The professor waved his hand. Cor
der is the shortest road to explana-
ton" he said. "Here. you. Jim. you
are the great news centre: tell what is
this all about?' and the telegraph
operator told the story of the station
agent and the message of the wire.
$50 this is Haworth's baby" reflect
ed the professor. "Then you can safe
ly leave it in my charge. l am Ha-
worth's dearest friend. you know, and
the chld'S godfather
But the woman, the nurse" urged
the rabblc. demanding it's victim.
''Shc must be locked up, she must be
committed"
Il am Il magistrate. you know" re-
piled the professor, sercnely. 81 will
examine the case; and do you disperse
to your homes. The sun is shining
brightly. what better time to make
hay: And Bob Granger. just get your
pony cart. will you. and drive to the
base of the hill? Away, then. good
pcoplc!' And the monster SUNK off
diScomfited
Once more Prof. Grant approached.
and stood with head reverently barred.
My dear young lady" he said. ''if
you will permit me to escort YOU to
my home at Grafton, not far distant.
| have IL motherly old aunt who will
be delighted to minister unto you and
your charge. And then you can con-
iidc to her what you like regarding
the cruel misapprehcnsion of these
rough folk. and tell her how l may
serve you. And really. she is the
dearest old aunt in the world"
"Aunt Sophy, truly!" softly inter-
rupted Miss Mobiles
"Aunt Sophy. truly" exclaimed the
professor. But how could you know
her name? Can it be possible? Yes.
yoH must be my sister Mamie's friend,
Miss Mobiles"
catherine" corrected Miss Mobiles,
vet more softly:
with two VS. ch? I should have
thought so strong minded a young wO-
man too wise to get involved in such n
maze. How lucky it was l met you,
and how stranger
Il was on my way to visit AIamie."
told her dishcartcning experience.
"But | wouldn't have given up this
sweet little fellow" she famed in con-
clilsiOn.
"Of course not. Well telegraph to
Mamie and to Haworth and explain
everything. And it so happens" add
ed the professor. in burst of chival-
ric lhcndacity. AUNT Sophy and are
in readiness to take Il trip to the city
tomorrow. So when you are thor
oughly rested we will all have pleas
ant journey together"
4 pleasant journey. truly. How
grateful the nearneSs of the ready
hand and the stout arm that had sup
ported the weary girl down the hill!
Too pleasant indeed, to be terminated
by the narrow limits of the railway
for sympathy and love can outlast the
longest journey of life. Mamie laughs
and shakes her curls. and insists:
"Oh, you are Just the same as the rest
of us. Kittie."
And certain X is that however great
a favoritc Haworth's baby Is with his
godfather. he is far more apt to he
spoiled by the fervid petting of his
godfather's wife.-Pittsburg CONNER
cial Gazette.