Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-05-26
coub,tully. Leather is awful hard to


WITH" he said. quietly. "See here"
Taking small package from his
pocket, he opened it and showed her
coarse. shining thread.
"They gave them to me when left
the-the place where l learned my
trade" he said, in low voice. II don't
suppose I shall ever use them. My
folks will not let me do that. But I
shall always keep them near me. Some
time may need advice. and this little
package will be able to tell me a great
many things-a great many sad things
which you will never understand, lit
tie one." he added. gently.
Mildred gazed at him wonderingly,
but as she saw the skilled fingers draw
the leather over the ball and fasten
1t securely In place. her look of won
der changed to one Of pleasure.
'I'm ever SO much Obliged" she said,
gratefully. I'D hated awfully to lose
the ball. Grandpa gave it to me-" She
watched him 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. At 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 for the train now"
And have you got mamma?" she
asked with sudden interest.
Eyes, and she has been waiting FOR
me a long, long time. Poor littl9
mother" the last too low for her to
hear.
AS the little girl was moving away.
he recalled her with n sudden gss-
ture.
II wish you would take this" he
said. earnestly. as he gave her tiny
box Of exquisite workmanship. II
made 1t from n piece OF ivory which
was found on battlefield. and in
tended to give it 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; land
I'd like to have the box ever SO much.
But must ask mamma"
In few minutes she returned.
Mamma says1 mustn't take gifts
from strangers" she said: but I'm
ever SO much obliged. Just the same"
The sun spots moved slowly across
ha hys
In the thicker shadows OF the trees.
The young man watched them listless-
ly. At length clock began to strike
in the distance. and he counted the
strokes carefully. When 1t ceased he
got up and once more began to walk
back and forth. But now his head
was erect. and his left foot had lost
its dragging motion. And on his face
was n tender. expectant smile.
Mildred had grown tired Of her ball
and was watching the water rs It fell
splashing into the broad basin Of the
fountain. AS the young man ap-
preached she looked up timidly.
Are you going now?" she asked.
mot for another half hour" he re-
piled. II 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
ory of the past for he sighed as he
turned away.
A little later Mrs. Bradford was
aroused by excited voices. Several fg-
ures rushed past her. For moment
she gazed around wonderingly. then
she rose and followed. Near the foun-
tain was n 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 pair Of frightened horses
into the open space. What followed
happened SO quickly that she could not
realize 1t until 1t was over. Mildred
was placed. sobbing. in her arms. and
hushed group closed about silent
figure on the ground.
"It was the bravest thing ever
saw" said one man in n low voice.
But a sad thing for the poor chap
and his people-if he had any" said
another, compassionately.
Two OF the guards from the peni-
tentiary 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. 306." Mrs. Bradford heard
him say. Poor fellow! and he has
only been out few hours. must
telegraph tc his folks"
Mrs. Bradford waited until she saw
them place the motionless figure in
the hack. then she walked slowly back
to the settee.
Under the live oak she saw some
thing glisten. Picking 1t up. she found
1t was the little ivory box.
Here, Mildred" she said, in n low
voice. you may keep It"