Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-07-04

.-.--s...s s.ury rvinarncu % Ue1E "a
last nights tempest.
Little Ruby was early stirring, and be-
fore Mona and her mother were awake she
ran down the hill toward Peel An hour
passed and the little one had not returned
Two hours went by, and Mona could see
no sign Of the child from the corner Of the
road. Then she became anxious. and went
In search Of her.
"Gerr out of this and take the boat
round 10 the Lockjaw. dye hear, F" shouted
Bill Klsseck, land sec II any harms been
done down therel Take rope or two and
that tarpaulin and cover up anything
that's wet"
Danny lifted the tarpaulin and went
quietly out of the house.
"I'n never make nothin Of that lad"
said Klsscck "He hasn't q word to chuck
at q dog"
threw the tarpaulin and two ropes into tho
boat, got into it himself, took the oar and
began to scun toward the sea As he passed
the ruined end of the pier q voice hailed
him. He looked up. 1t was Christian
Mylrea
"If you are going round the head, I'd
like to go with you," said Christian 81
want to see what mischief tho sea has done
to the west wall of the castle. Five years
ago a storm like this swept away ten yards
of it at least"
Danny touched his cap and pulled up to
the pier. Christian dropped, hand under
hand, down fixed wooden ladder and into
the boat, Then they sculled away. When
they reached the west Of the island and had
with difficulty brought to against the
rocks, Christian landed and found the old
boundary wall overlooking the traditional
Giants cave torn down to the depth of
several feet. His interest was so strongly
aroused that he would have staid longer
than Danny's business allowed. Leave me
here and call as you return" he said, and
then with characteristic irresolution, he
added, mo, take me with you"
The morning was fine, but cold, and to
keep up a comfortable warmth Christian
took an oar, and they rowed.
"This pestilential hole-I hate it," said
Christian as they swept into the Lockjaw.
"How high the tide Is here" he added in
another tone.
They ran the boat up the shingle and
jumped ashore. AS they did so their ears
became sensible of feeble moan Turn
ing about, they saw something lying on
the stones. 1t was child. Christian ran
to it and picked it up. 1t was little Ruby.
She was cold and apparently insensible
Christians face was livid, and his eyes
seemed to start from his head.
"Merciful God" he cried. What can
have happened?"
Then torrent of emotion came over
him, and bending on one knee, with the
child in his arms, the tears coursed down
his checks. He Rugged the little one tc
his breast to warm it. He chafed its little
hands and kissed its pale lips and cried,
RUBY, Ruby, my darling, my darlingW
Danny stood by with amazement written
ON his face. Rising to his feet, Christian
bore his burden to the boat and called ON
Danny to push off and away. The lad did
so without word He felt as if something
was choking him, and he could not speak
Christian stripped off his coat and wrap
ped it about the child. Presently the little
ones eyes opened, and she whispered,
"How cold" and cried piteously. When
the tears had ceased to flow, but still stood
in big drops on the little face, Ruby look
cd up at Christian and then toward Danny
where he sculled at the stern.
"She wants to go to you," said Chris
tian, after a pause and with great gulp
in his throat. Danny dropped the oar and
lifted the child very tenderly in his big
horny hands. RUBY ven, Ruby ven," he
whispered hoarsely, and the little one put
her arms about his neck and drew down
his head to kiss him.
Christian turned his own head aside in
agony. Mercy, mercy, have mercy!" he
cried, with his eyes toward the sky. What
have lostl What love have lost"
He took the oars, and with head bent he
pulled in silence toward the town. When
they got there, he took the little one again
in his arms and carried her to the cottage
on the "brew." Mona had newly returned
from fruitless search. She and her moth
er stood together with anxious faces as
Christian, bearing the child, entered the
cottage and stopped In the middle Of the
floor. Danny Fayle was behind him.
There was a moments silence. At length
Christian said huskily, 1--WE found her in
the Poolvash cut off by the tide"
No one spoke Mona took Ruby out Of
his arms and sat with her before the fire.
Christian stepped to the back Of the chair
and looked down into the child's eyes, now
wet with fresh tears. Mrs. Cregeen gazed
into his face. Not word was said to him.
He took up his coat, turned aside, paused
for an instant at the door, and then walked
fro BE CONTINUED