The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-20


he said, but when boy once begins to go
wrong, he never seems to know where to
STOP"
go to your room," he added sternly.
"Nobody in this house but me is a.going
to speak to you till you give back that BILL
After all we've done for you, little did |
think that you'd steal from you"
Dick went slowly from the room and
went upstairs, his heart beating almost to
suffOcation. He lay down on his bed, with
out undressing, scarcely knowing what he
did. "a thief" he said to himself "Mr
Granger called me thief He believes
that | stole bis money" Then brighter
thoughts came. OF course when Harry
heard that he, Dick, was accused of the
theft he would own up or release Dick from
his promise, and with this new hope in his
mind, Dick went to sleep.
But alas. The morning brought added
gloom. Dicks breakfast was served him
at the end of the big kitchen table, and no
one, not even Mrs. Granger though she
eyed him wistfully, spoke a word to the
miserable boy.
After breakfast Harry followed him to
the yard, and when they were out of sight
and hearing of the house, said softly:
Say, Dick"
Dick looked at him coldly. "What do
you want?" he asked.
you amt going to tell on me, are your"
Harry whined. 'Fasher'll kill me if you
do"
"lm not going to tell on YOU" said
Dick. eff you're cowardly enough to keep
your mouth shut can't open mine, but
don't you dare speak to me again as long
as you live. And," he added, I'D advise
you not to come too near me, either. A
fellow amt responsible for what he does
when he's been treated like have"
How Dick ever lived through the months
which followed he never knew. No one
spoke to him unless absolutely compelled.
Margie, his former pet and playmate, if
seen in his vicinity, was quickly called
away. Harry, satisfied that Dick would
keep his secret, went ON his own selfish
way, and Mrs Granger, though she still
looked after the boys bodily comfort,
obeyed her husbands commands and rarely
spoke to him.
Dick grew silent and sullen, and lost all
his old boysh brightness.
When winter came he was but shadow
Of his former self and Mr. Granger had
begun to debate whether he had not better
let the boy seek II new home. Cold weather
began early that year and by the 10th of
December there was excellent skating.
Dick did not join the rest Of the boys on
the pond, for some hint Of his trouble had
gotten out, and everybody gave, or seemed
to give, him the cold shoulder. But he
sauntered about among the bushes, watch
ing the skaters and wishing, oh how warm
ly, for the old free happy days.
There was big crowd on the pond to
ward dusk on a Saturday afternoon and
Dick, watching with observant eyes, began
to wonder whether the ice would stand the
strain. He had almost made up his mind
to warn the skaters when loud report and
a terrified shout at the far end Of the pond
turned everybody's attention in that drec-
ton. Where just before had been big
crowd of boys was nothing but gaping
hole in the ice, and Dick, horror stricken,
the creaking ice was madness One or two
of the boys who had gone in rose, caught
the edge only to have it break away again.
The combined efforts of the skaters and OF
Mr. Granger and his men, who came hurry
ing to the scene armed with ropes and
planks, did not succeed in rescuing all the
boys till they had been a long time in the
water.
Harry Granger was one of the last to be
drawn out, and he was carried home to the
farm apparently lifeless
The physician who had been hastily sum-
moned worked over him for hours to revive
the feeble spark Of life which still fingered
in his half frozen body, and at last the
eyes opened and the pale lips moved.
But the exposure had been too much for
the poor boy. A high fever set in, and for
days he lay lowering just between life and
death, raving about "Dick" and "the
rifle and "the cold black water" He
called on Dick in piteous tones ito forgive
him" and he promised to "tell all about
it."
Finally the delirium passed and for a
little while before his spirit took its flight,
Harry recognized those around him.
Where's Dick?" he asked "Fetch him.
| want to see him right away"
Mr.. Granger went to look for Dick and
the two passed into the sick room together.
Harry smiled when he saw them.