The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-25


nalI rose to his feet, but seeing the
iflghtened look on her face he tossed
y back and resumed his slouching no.
sltion on the grass.
After awhile the ball again rolled tn
ais feet. This time he did not offer
10 return it. AS Mildred approached
ne looked up with smile.
The cover is coming off your BALL"
ne said, pleasantly. eff you'll let me.
Ill fix it. I know how"
but mamma said I'd have to take
II to a shoemaker" she answered
oouDtfully Leather is awful hard to
sew"
Not il you have things to work
with" he said. quietly. .see here
Taking a small package from his
pocket, he opened it and showed her
several curious needles and some
coarse, shining thread.
They gave them to me when left
the-the place where learned my
trade, he said, in low voice. 81 don't
suppose shall ever use them. NV
folks will not let me do that. But l
snail 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 sudden burst
Of confidence Grandpa lives at our
house, and we're going home as soon
as it 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 bail; "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 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-
tuTe.
II wish you would take this" he
said, earnestly, as he gave her tiny
box Of exquisite workmanship. 81
made it from a piece of ivory which
was found on a 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 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-
ly. At length clock began to strike
in the distance, and he counted the
strokes carefully. When it 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
it's dragging motion. And on his face
was a tender, expectant smile.
Mildred had grown tired of her ball
and was watching the water as it fell
splashing into the broad basin of the
fountain. AS the young man ap-
preached she looked up timidly.
care you going now" she asked.
"Not for another half hour" he re-
piled. 81 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 Zig
ures rushed past her. For a moment
she gazed around wonderingly, then
she rose and followed. Near the foun-
tain 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 it until it was over. Mildred