The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-08-06

4
hot with bushes. How could she do
it before that crowd2 But she must.
Phronie might burn to death, and IL
would be her fault. Her hands
trembled so she could hardly unfasten
the great unwieldy skirt. She could
scarcely see Phronie any more, for she
seemed shrouded in flame. But she
dashed forward the blaze and threw
the woolen skirt over it. Together the
children fell to the ground. How
Malind wrestled with the fire she never
knew. Others came to her help, but
not before her own face and hands
we're badly burned. She hardly felt
the pain. She only thought of
Phronie's danger and her own guilt.
She remembered Dode, when she was
tenderly borne to q carriage and
laid upon the cushion. He had dis
appeared.
"lf ] could find the boy who threw
that cracker I'd thrash him myself"
said Mr.. Lumley, AZ he lifted Phronie
into the same carriage with Malind.
''Ho ought TO be sent to prison."
said Phronie, angrily. 81 wish I
could Jest light him with a match till
he sizzled." Aterrible fear tugged at
Malind's heart. She must shield Dode
If possible. II was sort OF relief to
feel that in shielding him she was saw
ing herself.
Malind's burns were tedious, but
she found herself heroine. Flowers
and fruit, books and toys, were sent
to her. Dode kept his secret well, and
feasted on good things. But some-
how the dainties had lost their flavor
for Malind. The knowledge of her
guilt ranked in her bosom like q
| poisoned arrow. Wher her Sunday
school teacher sat by her side and
praised her for not hesitating through
any false shame from taking of her
wooden skirt she felt miserable. IL
people would only forget it aud leave
her in her peace. But even when
alone she found no peace. The knowl-
edge that she was acting lie ,or-
mented her. Even when she was once
more able to sit up the world did not
look the same to her.
Malind sat listlessly by the window
in the long June twilight looking ont.
The latch of the gate clicked and she
saw Mrs. Meeker and Phronie. They
were followed by Miss Lumley, her
SuLday.school teacher, and the girls
of her class.
"Well, l declare, it's regular depil-
alton, said Mrs. Blinn, pleased and
fussy, "pears as if sunthin's got to
happen to ye in Canaan fore folks
takes proper notice of other folks.
Well / feel full as good as any of 'em
full as good. Malind, you amt
lookin' bit chick"
The little girl had grown pale and
her heart beat painfully.
Mrs. Meeker hustled in. She held
large package in her hand.
ave heard you were settin' up an
well enough for company" she said,
''so we thought wo'd SisF~you n Gu,"
prise party"
Malind stood up and tried to speak,
but the glands in her throat grew dry
and her tongue was rigid.
Miss Lumley kissed her, and the
girls greeted her additionally, yet
she could not speak.
Mrs. Meeker began opening her
parcel. "Seein' you spilled your frock
savin' my girl" she said, "tain't more
than right for me 10 give you another
an l hope you'll like It'll"
She took out pretty pink gingham
gown handsomely trimmed with en-
broidery.
''Miss Lumley said there must be
hat to match, so she bought this"
Mrs. Meeker went on, holding up
dainty white straw, with wreath of
pale pink rosebuds around it.
Malind's heart throbbed fast. Never
had she dreamed of owning such
things. She gazed at them with long
ing and with pain.
"Speak up, child" cried her mother
impatiently. "where's your man
nersg
Malind felt herself trembling. They
were all looking at her, but haze
seemed to float before her eyes,
through which she saw them dImly.
al, can't take them," she gasped.
"She's out of her head" cried Mrs.
Blinn with groan.
'No. no, know just what I'm do
ing. don't deserve theml I don't
deserve anything. IL told the boy
to throw that cracker at Phronie. It's
all my fault that she was burned.
ought to be-punished.
"Well, / never" said Mrs. Meeker.
tossing her head, "that wuz q regular
impersition."
81 didn't think-her frock would
take fire." said MalInd, looking about
besee echIngly for friendly face.
"You have done right to confess"
said Miss Lumley. coming forward
and taking the chiid's hand kindly,
and you have atoned for it,"
''To be sure" said Mrs. Meeker.
veering to the popular side. "Some
folks might be mean enough to take
back their present. but l amt that
kind. You done what You could to