The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-12-24
(CONTINUED.)


eft seems providential that Wills
first station should bring his mother
back to the old home. Here and now at
least she should be safe from all shock,
especially with your care to guard her,
Mrs Daunton. She said to me only
yesterday: Helen came to me only
little over a year ago. but I think have
needed her for years. She is dear to me,
almost as my own daughter. -
"God bless her for those words, y said
Helen, deeply moved. Il came to her
as a dependent, but she has taught me
q new definition of motherhood.
Motherhood has its sorrowful mean
ing for Mrs. Farrar," said Leale grave
ly, his handsome dark eyes fixed upon
her face. elias she never spoken to you
about Royle, her eldest SOM"
"She has sometimes mentioned him"
said Helen, with great constraint. "But
she can hardly bear to speak of him,
and I know the bitter sorrow he brought
to every one who loved him, but, j." she
added quickly, as though eager to
change the subject, chow cozy and
warm and Christmasy it looks and
smellsl I shall have another new defini-
tion-what Christmas means. We learn
many definitions, do we not, as life goes
on, and sometimes fate is good to us and
lets us learn the happiest last. -
"And you have learned sad one Of
Christmas?''
81? A very sad one. Ny own baby
died in my arms on Christmas eve.'
Leale bent earnestly toward the sad,
sweet face, deep emotion in his own,
but at the moment Ellis entered, follow
ed closely by Ormsby. She bowed in
evident constraint at sight of the couple
already there and looked as though she
would gladly have turned about again.
After her came Will and Kitty and
other young people Of the post, all eager
and intent on inspecting the prepare
tions being made, all full Of compli-
ments to Rorke for the success attending
his labors, all full Of admiration of the
portrait, which they grouped about and
admired, while Ellis hung her fathers
saber underneath. And then once again
the whole party, chatting merrily, went
drifting out into the crisp air and glo-
rious sunshine, leaving, glowering after
them from the doorway Of the little
room that opened off the main hall, the
i'll favored, ill liked soldier Graice.
Two minutes later, and no one could
explain how it started or what was its
exciting cause, with hardly spoken
word or premonitory symptom. two men
were clinched in furious struggle-one,
heavy, burly, powerful and gifted with
almost demoniac strength, had hurled
the other down. That other, 1.-the,
sinewy, pantherlike in every motion,
writhed from underneath his huge an
tagonist and had sprung to his feet,
while the first, more slowly, heaved
himself upward, and then, like mad
dened bull, dashed at his foe.
Springing lightly to one side, Crow
Knife, for it was he, whipped from its
sheath glittering blade and poised it
high in air, and Graice, even in his
blind fury, saw and hesitated. There
was a rush of the workmen to the spot,
but Captain Leale was first Of all. Clear
and cold and stern his voice was heard.
''Drop that knife! Drop that knife,
say!'' and slowly, reluctantly, though
his eyes were blazing with hate and
rage, the Indian turned toward the man
he had learned to trust, to honor and tC
obey, and the knife fell Gathering to
the floor Graice made a lunge as
though to grab it, and Rorke's ready
foot tripped and >felled him. Then,
with both hands, the Irishman grabbed
him by the collar and dragged him,
dazed and scowling, to his feet.
"There are ladies coming, SIR was
the warning of one of the men.
"Take that man out and cool hin
off, - said Leale, still calmly, to the cor
poral. "I'll hear the story later. Quie
now, one and ALL, he added, as the
group dispersed. cit is Mrs. Farrar."
They met at the very doorway, tn
fair, radiant woman, closely followe'
by her daughter, the dazed, hulkinl
soldier, led or rather driven forth b.
Corporal Rorke, and instantly a change
swift and fearsome, shot across tn
sweet, pathetic face. One glance wa
all, and then, pale as death, she totte1
ed feebly forward. Ellis sprang to he
side in sudden alarm. Mother, dear
est, what is wrong? How you tremble!'
For moment she could not speak
cit is folly it is weaknessP' she falte1
ed. "But that face-that dreadful face
The look in those eyes-the awful gil
ter that only liquor kindles. have NJ
seen that look since-ohx whenever
see it say. God pity, pity&his mother.
And then Helen Daunton came ha
tily in and helped to lead the agitate
woman to seat, and there she knelt b.
side her and soothed and comforted an
cooed to her as women GROOM over tire
child, and Leale lowered helpful
about, grave, strong and gentle, and
was on his arm she leaned, with Hele
at her side, when finally she stood
look at her husband portrait. And ii
tie by little she grew calm and the flu
tering at her heart ceased to distre
her, and Ellis, turning reluctantly aw,