Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-07-22
CHAPTER u.-fCoNT1NUEp,l

give prolonged whistle; but no sound
followed.
"Whaur did your reverence find the
talrn? On the doorstane, did you
say?"
The minister nodded. Thereupon
Solomon walked over to the chair. put
on pair of brass-rimmed spectacles.
and inspected the child much as his
master had done. but with prolonged
aad dubious shakes of the head.
Lord preserve us a'!' he muttered.
Solomon" cried Mr.. Lorraine i'm
patiently, whats to be done?"
Solomon scratched his head. then
lis face lightened with sudden inspira-
tion, as he answered:
"Put the thing whaur ye found him,
on the doorstane. Lea him there
he's name O. ocrs. Maybe the mither
will come back and take him AVA"
The minister's face flushed indig-
nantly.
"On srch a night as this! Solomon
Mucklebackit. II you have no more
Christian advice than that to offer.
you can go back to bed"
Solomon was astonished. Seldom
had he seen his master exhibit such
Not knowing how to reply. he effected
a diversion.
'See, sir" he said. still inspecting the
child as II 1t were some curious species
of fish, "the cratur's wringin' wat"
Such was the fact. though 1t had es-
capped the minister's agitated scrutiny.
The shawl and undertakes Of the in
FAINT were soaked with rain or melted
snow.
"Bless my soul!' cried Lorraine.
bending down by solomon's side: "nnd
Its little body is quite cold. Fetch
Mysie Simpson at once"
Solomon shook his head.
"Mysie's away the night WI her
kinsfolk at the Mearns."
Then there's only one thing to be
dcne." cried Mr.. Lorraine. with sud-
den decision. I'VE must undress the
child at once and put him to bed. and
act. II We leave him like this he will
die OF cold"
Put him to bed!' echoed Solomon.
"whaur!"
''In my room. Solomon. unless you
would like to take him with you."
"Wf me! I'm no used wi BARNS.
I couldna sleep wink"
Then he shall stay with me. Look.
Solomon. how pretty he Is, how bright
his eyes are! Fetch me blanket at
once, and warm 1t by the fire."
Solomon left the room. The minis
ter lifted the burden In his arms. and
sat down by the hearth. Then.
nervously and awkwardly. he undid
the shawl and put II aside: loosened
the baby's outer garments. which were
quite wet, and drew them gently of.
Thus engaged. the good man was in
deed q picture to see-his soft eyes
beaming with love and tenderness. his
face puzzled and troubled. his little
plump hands at work with clumsy
kindness.
Solomon entered with a blanket.
warmed It for minute at the fire. and
then placed It softly under the child.
which now lay mother-naked-as
sweet and bright a little cherub as
ever drew mothers milk.
Suddenly the sexton uttered an ex-
clamation.
Lord preserve us all. It's no man
child ava! It's wee lassie"
Mr.. Lorraine started, trembled and
almost dropped his load; then. BASH
fully, and tenderly. he wrapped the
warm blanket around the infant. leav-
ing only Its face visible.
Lad CT lassie." he said. "the Lord
has left It In our keeping!'
STOPPING to the hearth-rug, Solomon |
lifted from II tiny chemise which |
had fallen there. and examined 1t with |
ludicrous horror. Suddenly his eyes |
rerceived something which had es-
capped Mr.. Lorraine's nervous gaze.
Pinned to the chemise was piece OF |
paper with some writing upon It.
Look. meenister!" cried Solomon.
unpinning the paper and holding 1t up:
"there's a letter addressed to yourself |
here. Will read it?"
Certainly"
Then Solomon read, In his own |
broad accent, which we will not re-
produce, these words. which were writ
ten in a clear though tremulous fe-
male hand:
ITO Mr. Lorraine-By the time you
read this. the writer will be lying dead
and cold in AMMAN Water. You are n
good man and clergyman. Keep the
child. as n gift OF God, and as you use
her may God use your
That was all. Solomon stammered
through the words in horror, while Mr..
Lorraine listened in genuine astonish-
ment.
There, meenister" exclaimed Solo
mon. Indignantly. '.Did no tell ye?
It's q scandal, an outrage! Keep the
BARN. indeed. and woman-bairn!
Absurd notionr
Hush, Solomon interposed the
minister solcmn'y. 81 begin to see the
hand o. God in this"
Opening the bedclothes. he placed
the infant in a cozy spot, and arranged
the blankets tenderly around 1t.
Look. Solomon! Is she not bonny?"