The record-union., 1897-11-01
to Tillotson's store, Allen striding

to Tillotson's store, Allen striding
ahead.
| Tod had not been there. Mr.. Tillot-
| son had not seen him, nor had the
loungers ON the store porch. If they
had not seen him, he had not passed
there, Kate argued, and they turned
back. Kate was fearful, Janet was
/ trenlulous in every limb. Two hours!
Tod <had been gone for two hours, and
there had been time, ample time fer
something dreadful to have happened
/ to him.
| 1T will be dark before long," said
Janet.
You don't think he's gone up to the
the mill pond?'' said Kate family.
| When they reached home the thre-
! seated wagon stood at the horseback
and Grandpa Bidwell was helping the
ladies out gallantly. They had been
renewing their youth all six of them,
and they We're in jolly gale of laugh
ter.
But it suddenly ceased. what is
it?" Kate's mother cried, the minute
she saw her face Where is Tod? Is
| it anything about Tod?''
He's lost" Kate answered. 20, man.
| len thought l did,
| It's been two hours said Allen,
| land we've got to find him right off.
| We're afraid-there's the mill pond, you
| know"
| They never forgot the look their
mother gave them, such a look it was
of reproach and of anguish.
| Wen find him." said Janet's fa-
ther. Don't look SO distracted Sarah"
But Tods mother was wringing her
hands. and his father had grown lit
tie pale.
If there's anything happened to that
darling child" said Grandpa Bidwell,
with a shaking voice, IF anything
has,
| Kate sat on the horseblock and cried.
| We'll divide up into three or four
parties" her father said. and take
every road around here
Janet was keeping an anxious look
out up and down the road Why"
she said of a sudden, Il beiieve-I do
believe, there's the Universal Balm
| boy again.
The what?" said her father.
1T is, See the red umbrella" said
i
She watched as it approached. the
J gorgeous equipage of the Universal
| Balm; then she gave a shrfll soueal
| She rushed forward; she reached up
two earger arms, and something was
lowered into them from the buggy seat
something which Janet hugged and
| kissed and brought and set in the
midst of the group.
| 1t was Tod
Everybody clutched at him. His
| mother managed to grasp one little fat
| hand, and Kate got her arms around
his neck; but Grandpa 3idwell held him
and held him tight. And for a minute
| nobody spoke.
1he boy in the preposterous wagon
| was packing his horse, preparatory to
turning around. But Allen spoke UP:
You don't think" said he, we're go
| ing to let you go before we've even
said thank you? Where did you find
him?'
20. up the road a ways" said the
boy. He looked confused; he kept his
eyes on Janet as on trusted friend.
How far?" cried Kate.
20, 1 don't know mile or two" said
| the boy
What was he doing?" GRANDMA Bid
Well asked
The boy hesitated Eating black
berries" !" he responded
In the road?" Tod's father cues
TONED The boy coughed and said
| nothing. There was something queer
III his manner. Tod, where were Won p,
| said his father.
Iod smiled wide smile The black
J Derry stains on his mouth made his
smile look wider. "Wailwoa6 twackin
| he said.
was he on the railroad track?o his
mother cried. staring white-faced at
the boy in the buggy. He nodded
looking down.
| Tod's mother looked at her small boy.
and her lips moved silently. You
saved him. them she said. lyon
saved my little boyi"
| L did it FOR her." said the boy in the
wagon, and his eyes were on Janet.
| "of course. I'd have got MIN off the
track and started him for home anv
how, but when l saw twas him, I
| thought I'd bring him safe home.
knew he was some relation of hers. for
4
| boy paused: he had not finished. "Sha
bought bottle of balm of me-" said
ne.
| Allen listened to every word He had
| grown rather red in the face "He.
| isn't her little brother, though: he's
mine. I'd be glad if l hadn't made fun
| of you" he blurted out.
| And II wished l hadn't laughed
| when he made fun" said Kate. The
| fountain of her tears was not yet dry,
and she wept a little more.
| What is your name?" asked Grand
pa Bidwell.
| Martin Miller
| What about the Universal Balm?"
| said Tod's father studying the red
| placards. Il guess I'll have to buy
| some"
| Don't, 1t amt worth shucks." said
Martin Miller, at which the three men
| laughed out
Might | ask what you are selling it
4 for them" said Janet's father.
| The boy looked off at the sunset.
U "Talcott makes me-" said he. II live
with Talcott. over in Ripley. He amt