The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-06-12

many things-a grea, many sad things
which you will never understand. lit
tie one" be added. gently.
Mildred gazed az him wonderlngiy.
but as she saw the skilled fingers draw
the leather over the ball and fasten
II securely In place. her look Of won
der changed 70 one OF pleasure
I'm ever so much obliged" she said.
gratefully "fd hated awfully to lose
the ball. Grandpa gave Il 10 me-" She
watched him a few moments In silence.
and then added. with a sudden burst
Of confidence. Grandpa lives at our
house. and we're going home as soon
as II gets warm"
The young man sewed on for some
moments In silence. AZ last the ball
was finished. and he carefully replaced
the needle in his pocket
I'm going home. too. " he said grave
ly. as he handed her the ball. I'm
waiting Tor the train now"
And have you got a mammal" she
asked with sudden interest.
Yes. and she has been waiting for
me a long, long time Poor little
mother." the last too low for her to
hear.
As the little girl was moving away.
he recalled her with a sudden ges-
ore.
Il wish you would take this" he
said. earnestly. as he gave her a tiny
box Of exquisite workmanship. Il
made Il from a piece Of ivory which
was found on a battlefield. and In.
tended 90 give II to my sister. You
make me think Of her"
But won't she want IT," Mildred
objected
she Is dead" was the grave an
swer.
The little girls face grew sympa.
thetic.
I'm sorry" she said. gently; "and
I'd like to have The box ever so much
But must ask mamma"
In a few minutes she returned.
Mamma says I mustn't take gifts
from strangers" she said; but I'm
ever so much Obliged. Just the same"
The sun spots moved slowly across
the grass and disappeared. one by one
In the thicker shadows Of the trees.
The young man watched them listless-
~. AZ length a clock began 10 strike
In the distance. and he counted the
strokes carefully. When Il ceas ID be
got up and once more began 10 walk
back and forth. But now his head
was erect and his left foot had lost
~ dragging motion. And on his face
was a tender expectant smile,
Mildred had grown tired " her ball
and was watching the water as II fell
splashing into the broad basin Of the
fountain IA the young man ap-
preached she looked mp tlmidly.
Are you going now" she asked
Not for another half hour" he re-
piled. Il had rather wait here than
down at the depot" For some mo-
ments he stood gazing at her. Evil
IDENTIFY her face brought up some mem
DRY Of the past. for he sighed as he
turned away.
A little later Mrs. Bradford was
aroused by excited voices. Several fig-
ures flushed past her For a moment
she <gazed around wonderlngly. then
sbe rose and followed Near the foun-
fain was a group OF excited people.
and In the open space beyond she
recognized Mildred playing with her
ball. What was the matter?
But even as she wondered came the
Wild rush OF a pair Of frightened horses
into the open space. What followed
happened so quickly that she could not
realize Il until II was over. Mildred
was placed. sobbIng In her arms. and
a hushed group closed about a silent
figure on the ground
1T was the brayest thing ever
saw" said one man In a low voice.
But a sad thing for the poor chap
and his people-lf he had any" said
another compasslonately.
Two OF the guards from the penl-
Tertiary came across the plaza and
Joined the group. a moment later one
OF them gave few quick directions
to a hackman who was standing near.
1T Is No 300" Mrs Bradford heard
him say. Poor fellow and he has
only been out a few hours. | must
telegraph TO his folks"
Mrs. Bradford waited until she saw
them place the motionless figure in
the hack, then she walked slowly back
20 the settee
Under the live oak she saw some
thing glisten. Picking II up. she found
Il was the little ivory box.
Here. Mildred" she said. In a low
voice. you may keep H."