The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-11

"Jdck," nc said, "dnSjCer me nOU."
ed out of the courtroom, her face full Of
baleful Joy, and as she passed the thresh-
old Mr.. Topmark fell, face downward,
in swoon that was like death.
The day had been dull, but it had
other happenings yet to come. Half way
home the Payne carriage met messen-
ger coming hot foot to say Cerintha
babe them hasten if they would see Mr..
McGregor alive.
The home coming had been sort Of
triumphal procession. AT least half
dozen good fellows had volunteered to
ride, lantern in hand, before the car
riage, so it might be driven at speed.
Inside Rob sat, with Mrs. Payne's arms
about her and Mr.. Payne and Colonel
She was full of rosy triumph, yet at the
hail she got white and said unsteadily I:
THAT must mean daddy needs me.
Let me get out, please. Some one give
me horse. can ride in half the time
the carriage must take. F"
''She is right. Let her out" Colonel
Talbot said, opening the door and
springing out beside her. "The best two
horses, boys" he went on. "You can
have our places, but go we must"
Almost before she drew second
breath Rob was mounted and racing for
ward at Colonel Talbot's elbow. He
rode still as light and straight as in his
soldier days. Two lantern bearers bore
them company, and no word was spo-
ken, save once, when he said, gently
touching her arm, Dear child, we will
surely be in time"
Then silence until they came to the
Payne gate. 1t flew wide before they
reached it, A kind voice cried through
the darkness:
"Thank God, you is in time, Miss
Rob! l here um say your pappy amt
gwine stay much longer way frum heab-
en-
Rob leaned far over her horses neck.
The house was still half mile away.
She whispered low to the straining
beast: go! Col My daddy is dying!"
AS though the good creature compre-
hended, it stretched itself in long leaps
that left other company behind. Wrath
like she crossed the fields, sped up the
avenue, sprang down and ran to the
wide front chamber, where lights and
moving figures told her she would find
her precious charge.
He lay easily, propped with pillows
no whittier than his face. Cerintha sat
beside him, holding his chill hand. A
little way off Brother Walton read the
Twenty third Psalm in the voice of one
who knows himself in holy place.
The blind mans face was transfig.
ured with soft, tender smile. AS the
minister's voice died away he began to
repeat in q clear, happy tone: "There
shall be no more night there, neither
any weeping, for the Lamb Of God,
which taketh away the Sins Of this
wufid, shall w,oo all tears fiom their
eyes.
Rob ran to him and began to say in
her old, merry voice, Here am, dad
dy, aome with news to-
She could not go ON. He had caught
the shake in her voice and put out his
arms to her, with luminous smile.
Little daughter, it has come at last
tho light, the beautiful light" he
said, strokiDg her hair, as her head fell
on his breast. After minute he went
on: "That is my brave darling! She is
sorry-ah, so sorry-to lose her daddy,
but she will not let her sobs break up
this everlasting peace. Little comrade,
1t is hard to leave you, even for heaven.
But, darling. your mother is there. You
will not think grew cowardly and did
not want to stay?'
"No, daddy. You have been brave,
the very bravcst man in the world"
Rob said, forcing her words to be steady.
Life has not been too easy for either
OF us. 1t seems little bit selfish, your
leaving me alone, but / can 60, too.
some day."
But not for a long time" he said,
patting her hand. "You have Roscoe.
Promise me you will keep and cherish
it always. For awhile you will be lone
~. But, daughter, the light has come,
and in it see clearly many, many
things. Call the 'Talbots--the colonel