The morning times., 1896-11-15
The
Alder
llline.

sharply on its hinges, and ry-loolsns
woman stepped out beside chair. wherein
a rsa n was sitting, propped by pillows and
blankets and muffled closely with scarfs
| and ha ndkerchiefs.
what is 1t. Niiirm?' she asked. in d
voice full OF gentle concern.
..oon, s.ini MI .a..,vd nlItened
hand To point TO the not very distant cor
raj.
In the fenced enclosure n lively and not
altogether assuring scramble was being EN-
acted. A wiry young fellow, Whose curly
brown hair was ruiupied and iignuy blow
ing in the crisp breezes OF the fan, was
mounted on young and fiery mustang.
The pony was bareback, except for single
strap that was girded about him, Willie
his head was quite Unfettered by bride,
strap or even bit Of rope. The boy was
cunsing like II leecn Will LIS legs, muscular
legs, and was lying low ON the animals
back, the better 10 grip the enGrciinS
strap with his large, brown hands.
In the same corral was yearling bull,
whose horns were Just beginning TO make
themselves felt. and whose Voice was as
suming roar In place of the below OF n
calf. He stood in a corner, as II at bay,
with apparent scorni in his pose. At length
the pony, beaten and conquered, raced
around the corral in an effort to run away.
The bull with his young, Imitation rodr,
came prancing from his place and kicked
his heels as ugh as he found 1t possible and
expedieut.
,ine 10y evidently chose to consider the
attitude Of the bull as one Of challenge, for
he suddenly slipped from the horses back
| and quite as quickly leaped astride that
of the scornful calf Hi! Yi!' he yelled
in glee The animal, astonished, beloved
In an awful voice and jumped, buckled,
cavorted, gy rated, and finally tore about
the place In q mad career, enraged and
terrified.
"Gracious! William, why don't you call
| and make him stopi isneck will surely be
| broken" said the woman who stood ON
| the porch, aehast at the antics pointed out
] by her husband.
"oh, love 10 see him. the man replied.
| | used TO be active and strong myself.
| It's glorious to be SO full OF youthful spirits;
| and Harold-why the lad can ride any
| thing that wears hair, SO don't sou worry
Harold. you haven't forgotten that you We
| got to bring Ellie home today, my lad?"
| asked the father, as the boy approached.
No, sir; haven't"
well, better be starting, I guess If you
| want to get back before dark. The days
| are short, YOU know"
Yes; I'm going 10 start right off. only
wish the pony was safe To ride or Sellrn
| were not SO lame
''Oh. you don't mind the walk said the
mother,
Not a bit-whoopee," shouted Harold.
lie SHE'D his hat in the air. jumping to catch
IT As II fell. Goodbye" he added; IN off. =
| which lie was. with a skip and a run. He
presently halted and hollered
A year tefore Mir. Hinton had slpp.'d
| from load of hay and the wheel of the
wagon had crushed his arm, his ribs and the
cals of his leg. He had only survived fe-
cause OF his steel-like constitution. and he
sA1 "A ltsxs y-aIt
in month or SO if we had the money TO
| pay for couple of operations
The pair OF animals, standing side by
| side AT last. hreathiDg hoty ana regarding
Harold with much respect and cOnsteraa-
ti0h in their wide open ,syes, seemed to give
him satisfaction. He caught his ha: from
the ground by turning a cart wheel,
vaulted the gate and came tow ard the Ii 1use
singing careless song and slapping his
hands against his legs as he walked.
ANY word o send to Bill and his wfc'?'
NO. his mother called in reply Il
wouldn't take the time TO climb the NIL. :"
"Bilrs" other name was Tubbins, but
Miner Bill ~as what he wascalled, even
after her married and brought his wife To
his claim They lived in a cabin which
almost capped the hill that rose at the rear
of the Minton farm. Below their place the
"Gray Stone canon formed gorge thl ough
the mountains, up and through which
travellers pHSSeu gam tUe summit.
this young Harold plunged, gaily singing,
Initiating the cry Of the late magpies, and
striding up the sharp declivity with long
and swinging steps.
About mile or more, it was, up to the
summit, and then a distance of four or
five more to the mining town of Yellow
Bank, where little "Eifie'' Minton, as
Harold's wee sister was called, was visiting
her aunt Hilda The afternoon was a little
advanced when the boy arrived. Over
the hills in the west a few dark clouds Were
rolling up, but they seemed to be long
way off and harmless. When lunch was
over Harold and Elfie started home.
The sky was more than half obscured
in threatening clouds before they had gone
Il mile. warm peculiar breeze COM
mencad to blow, ftfully.
II guess, little gal," said the boy as he
glanced toward the west, well have TO
hurry or the rain will catch u.s." He
swung the youngster up till she sat astride
of his neck and could grip her fists full 0f
his hair; then he caught both of her feet
in his hands and started briskiy up the
slope of the mountain.
Nothing could stop the flow of Effies
prattle. but Harold was deeply concerned
with the huge, low-sweeping masses of
ear,h-colored clouds, and hardly needed
word.
AS they gained the crest of the first
ninated the armament, which was now q
sky OF bluish-black; the distant rumble
OF thunder echoed from the gorge, and
gust of wind stirred nest of drying leaves
in the brush.
But the storm was not to be beaten.
The rumbling sounds had quickly ap-
preached, the flashes were brighter, tie
huge trembling drops began to fall. AS
they neared the summit the downpour M
creased. The ground was fast becoming
wet and slippery. Burdened as he was
young Minton had to struggle for every
foot he gained.
Painting and striving to keep his foot
hold, Harold toiled like an engine on a
difficult grade. With remarkable speed,
in spite of many a backward slide, he
haStened on. To the cabin they came at
last, wet and dripping, to be taken by
"Billy' and his wife, with the greatest
of care and kindness.
"Just make yourself to hum,' said the
miner, when Mrs Tubbins had carried
Elfie out to remove her sopping clothing,
"we're in for a big un."
"0h, I'll have To CO." said Harold, "the
folks would be terribly worried, and father,
you know, can't stand but little now"
why, ye can't, laddie; it's q turrible
storm. Ye're riskin' yer life."
''Sooner mine than dads" he replied.
81 can't take Elfie down tonight, and some
thing awful might happen in the folks
didn't know. I'm all right-take care of
the little gal-GOd bless you alli'' He had
opened the door and was gone.
The lad sped to ward the Gray Stone canoB
in defiance of the very demons of the storm.
Presently a binding flutter of lightning
and a dcafening roar seemed to crack the
heavens in twain. Harold was bowled from
his feet by the mere concussion, and had
| already risen when cataract Of water
poured from the clouds and was lashed
| into pelting bullets Of rain by the power.