The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-05-03

be once driven round to the 9th.
er side Of the hill. where the
wind would keep the ground oompar-
atiyely free from snow. and where
there was also some shelter TO be OBJ
tanned from a hemel and a roughly
constructed foldyard fenced round
with stone walls. there would be little
left TO dread and they could be look.
ed after and fed. until the severity OF
the storm was past.
But Il required considerable determi-
nation to make the creatures move at
all and still more to do so In the
teeth Of the cutting wind The cold
had benumbed them and rendered them
almost torpid.
Rover'B approach. however. reused
them to a faint display OF animation:
and be began proceedings at once by
running around aud biting or pre-
tending TO bite. the iaggards. barking
all the while as loudly as his strength
would allow.
After a minute or two they began to
move In the direction indicated to the
dog by his master: and very slowly but
surely they were gradually led away
from their dangerous situation into
safety Il took long time for them
20 reach the other side Of the hill. and
10 find the part fenced In by the rough
~ built and mOrtarless stone walls
and the hurdles stuffed with ragged
iurze: but the difficult task was ac-
complishe,l NJ length. and every sheep
and yearling lamb was folded safe
Martin the shepherd gave a great
sigh OF relief as the last bleating
traveller passed through the gap and
he placed a hurdle across Il 10 prevent
their egress; but he acknowledged to
himself that a few minutes LONGER and
they wculd Inevitably have mastered
him
Ne was faint from lack Of food
Since the noon OF the previous day not
morsel had passed his lips. for he
had loathed the sight OF ylctuals after
his debauch. and had LEFT home In such
haste that morning that he had no
time to break his fast. even though
Nelly Insisted upon getting up and
lighting the fire and boiling the kettle.
He had swallowed a drink OF tea. but
nothing more. Now he bitterly re-
GREETED his own folly. "a the strain
told upon his exhausted vitality.
II was over now however. and the
sheep were safe. There was store OF
hay stacked In the Enclosure ready for
such emergencies as the present one.
and Martin proceeded to the lighter
labor Of feeding his flock.
BY the time this was accomplished
the little daylight there had been that
day had utterly failed. and a thick.
murky darkness reigned everywhere.
although Il was only about two o'clock.
When Martin and his dog set out on
their homeward journey the former
had almost TO grope his way out OF the
Enclosure. and only the instinct OF
Rover kept him on the right path The
snow was coming down softly but pitt
lessly. wrapping everything In a white
and rapidly thickening sheet and fast
oblitenting every familiar landmark.
On an ordinary occasion the old
shepherd could have found his way
home blindfolded. so well acquainted
was he with every foot OF the road.
But his strength had entirely deserted
him, and every step he now took was
with great and increasing effort The
cold appeared 10 grip his heart az with
a hand Of iron and to arrest his labor
ing breathing.
At last he stumbled and Zen az the
foot Of the bowlder he could 80 90
further. Nature had completely given
out.
Then all az once he remembered that
II this drowsy slumber which was COM
ing on did creep over his senses he
was certainly done for All. yes, But
he had that In his breast pocket that
would give him new life.
Yes. Il was there an right. lie had
not forgotten IT, His heavy eyes light.
ed mp with a mOmentary CLEAN OF
pleasure as he drew out FIAT bottle.
containing. perhaps. half a gill Of raw
whisky.
Nobody could blame him for taking
II now. He would DO II to save his life
only for that Without some fresh
access Of strength and energy he would
not be able 10 move hand or limb
The lethargic condition was gaining
upon him. and resistance was scarce
possible. unless the fiery spirit should
stimulate his vitality. Come. there
was some good in the stun yet. II II
saved a mans lifel
Accordingly he drew ont the cork
of the bottle with his teeth. and tho
strong odor rose gratefully to his nos
trils lie had a right to Il this time.
Suddenly a voice appeared 10 come
ont OF the darkness and the storm-a
voice that made him pause In the very
act OF drinking:
What good Is his life? II doesn't
benefit one living crea,ure-not even
himself"
lie trembled. with more than cold.
and his hand fell from his mouth.
Who said that? God or the devil?
Whoever said It, II was true-fatally,
miserably true! A great horror OF
himself and loathlng Of the life he
was about TO try 70 preserve. an In
finite pity and tenderness for the girl
whose young existence had been
blighted through his shameful fault.
all this came to him At that moment.
Like an overwhelming wave swept
the accumulated misery and disgrace
and remorse Of years over the soul OF
the poor drunkard. Then a sudden ac-
cess Of fury seized upon him. and
with the last feeble remnant OF his
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