The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-09-12

ing questions about everything. They
We're never tired of Leah's stories
Their round, rosy faces grew demurs
and serious always when she began tO
weave for them some fanciful creation
of her own mind, or some old romance
from her readings, simplified for the
childish ears To-day they were toe
busy even for storytelling, and Leah
Was left alone in thought; but every
now and then little red tin pail would
be set down for a moment while the
small owner ran to her for an emphat-
ic hug or a whispered secret.
Leah had been a member of the
household three months now, and still
had no other friend than the children.
Mrs. Stevens was kind To her, in her
condescending way, the master of the
house was coolly courteous, and the
visitors treated her as servant. In.
deed, she expected or wished nothing
else; she was grateful for her well-paid
position, for the work that left her lit.
tie time to grieye or long for otheI
things, for the shelter of a home. She
was content To remain what she was
"A nursery governess; but her hear;
longed for friendship.
There was one, though, who had
treated her as if she were an equal
one whose kind words and little unos.
tentatious acts of courtesy had touched
her heart and made her her grateful.
The children said Uncle Harry was
good To everybody, and Leah believed
it. What kind, true eyes he had, and
want a strong fine face. Leah had on
IL seen him once-he had passed u
week at his sisters home some time
before. She was thinking of him to-
day-of some little kindly service he
had rendered her, of how much little
Harry's eyes were like his uncle's,
brave and fearless and steadfast. They
were looking into hers now, and little
Harry had dropped down by her side
To tell Miss Leah once more how much
he loved her. "As much as the big
ocean, Miss Leah" he was saying,
stretching out his chubby arms toward
the blue expanse and looking up at heI
roguishly. Leah's heart warmed. II
was smiling face that leaned towards
him a she tied the red ribbons more
securely. So Leah was not entirely
unhappy, after all, with one true little
heart filled with childish love for her.
my brother is coming on the even
ing train, Miss BREWER Mrs. Stevens
said, one afternoon, "and | wish "a
give him little surprise. 1t is his
birthday and | must get some flowers
from the greenhouse for the table. We
are To have = few friends in to spend
the evening, and | am too busy To go
and select the flowers Can't YOU do il
for me? Your taste is perfect, and it
would oblige ME greatly. Take the po-
ny carriage or walk, as you prefer. The
chambermaid will look after the chill
dren while you are gone"
Leah chose to walk. The day was
beautiful, and two miles We're nothing
To her. When she returned, an hour
later, she was startled TO see her mis-
tress running wildly toward her with
hands elasped tightly and face color
less. Before Leah could speak she
cried out:
''Oh. it is little Harry. We have lost
him. Annie missed him from the 9TH
ers, and we have searched and search
ed, but we cannot find him anywhere,
Oh! my poor lost babyr' The mother,
face was pittiful in it, anguish. ''Whai
shall we do: What shall we dO?'' she
repeated, wildly. ''No one is at home
but three women, and We can do moth
ingr'
Leah dropped the basket of flower
and sped down to the beach with fly
ing feet. The children Were there
frightened and crying, and the dis
trcssed Annie was running distracted
ly up and down. Leah stepped upon
a huge boulder and shielded her eye.
from the setting sun while she looked
far out upon the tinted waves. Far ou
she could discern something dark
which looked like boat. As the SUI
touched it she fancied she could catcl
a flash of something white. Could il
be Harry's little straw hat?''
Annie she called out, suddenly
''was there boat here this afternoon
"a row boat?r
4 quick look of terror spread ovel
the girls face ''Oh, there was, miss
there was. / remember now, | called
little Harry away from it twice. III,
said he was going to New York 10 SCI
Uncle Harry. Oh, poor dear. poo
dear, Who will go after him? VIII
will go after him:?''
81 WILL" Leah said. There was no
a vestige o! color in her face or lips
.'The tide is going out and he has drift
ed away. God help me TO save him"
Without another word she ran alon.
the beach to place where she knew ;
boat was kept. Oh, if il should b
locked, There were no near neighbors
as far "a she could see along the beaci
not man was visible. Whatever Wa
To be done must be done quickly, ali,
10y her.
She found the boat unlocked. Sh'
unfastened it with trembling hands
stepped into it, and rowed away Will
swift strong strokes that bore her on
rapidly. She dared not stop to thinf
of herself or her timidity when on tn
water alone; she thought only of Har
ry-little Harry out there at the mere.
of the tossing sea. She rOwed steadily
her lips closely shut, her head erect
her feet braced firmly i'm the boat. Sh
saw the little group on the beach-th
children and the frightened servan
and the tall, stately mistress-recedini
more and more as she rowed out to sea
At last they grew indistinct, and sh'
turned and looked for the boat. /
was i'm sight, but oh, 80 far away.
A silent prayer went up from he
full beart-a praver for strength an,