Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-04

STUNT
= Some disagreeable thought swep
= across the untroubled calm OF Day.
brow like the dark clouds on the Sum
mer sky without. She pressed hel
hand over II, as II to clear away somt
unpleasant thought, and murmured:
Am / unjust, wonder? Unjust ant
uncharitable? Dear daddy used 10 say
II was tho way Of youth to Judge hasti.
ly and uncharitably; yet can't help II
Il cant, can't don't trust her
and can't compel myself to like her
Sometimes | feel as if-as II she were
wicked-really wicked, Hike those wo-
men one reads about--wily Vivlen, the
lovely, baleful star" or Cleopatra,
who won mems souls and then ruined
them,
How unklnd, how bitter ami" she
cried, beating her little hands togeth-
er the next moment. IL must do as
dear daddy used to say We ought to do
when the devil enters into us--drive
him out by doing something for God
or for our neighbors, III go and SEQ
poor old Low. | promised to bring
him little treat Of my own baking"
For Day Halcrow was her brothers
right hand In everything, and there
was no poor or aged or dying person
among his patients whom che did not
visit and bring comfort to, either phys
ical or mental.
She ran lightly downstairs, packed
her little treat--a small cake and ono
or two other dainties--in basket, and,
putting on a sailor hat in the hall, pre-
pared to 80 out, Bell the old servant
who had been with her mother, heard
her, however, and ran to the door,
Yen not be going out just now,
Miss Day? The storm Is coming up
fast"
II don't think II will overtake me.
I'm only going as far as old Lows; 30
don't you be anxious you foolish
Bell" said the girl. where's Ola!
Ola! Ola! are you coming, old boy?"
A great tawny collie as large as n
st. Bernard came numbering into the
hall from the kitchen regions at her
call, and thrust his cold nose into her
hand
Come on, then, old boy, and take
good care Of your mssis," cried Day
gaily, Goodbye, Bell, III be back
in half an hour"
A long straight road led down from
Abbot's Head to the small hamlet Of
Finstray, where Days pensioner lived.
The village was by the sea, most Of
the houses being built In hollow be-
tween the road and the shore. The
road ran on past the lonely lakes OF
Harris and Stennis, and the standing
stones to the important little town of
Kirkwall.
The air was still as death and as hot
as an oven. The silence and oppres-
sion were appalling, and even Day, VINO
was brave little soul II there ever
was one, felt awed by 1t,
"Magnus must be near Crag Castle
now, so he Is all right" she thought.
Her anxleties were always for her be-
loved brother, not for herself Old |
Low was both lame and deaf, and a
conversation with him was trying. He
sat outside his door on bench, smok-
ing pipe, his only soace; but he
smiled, laid 1t down, and put tremb-
ling old hand to his hat as Day ap-
preached.
Day presented her little gifts and sat
chatting with the old man for little.
Suddenly she was startled by vivid
fash of lightning, and the next instant
a loud roar of thunder burst over
head
ut be a. goin' to storm, miss, and
no mistake" said the old man. "Yu'd
better come indoors till It be past"
mo; think | shall run home be-
fore 1t comes on very badly" said
Day. Goodbye, Mr.. Low, I shall
come again in day or two"
Goodbye, miss, and God bless yu
for the comfortable words we've a.
spoken to me this an many times"
said the old man, holding her own it,
tie roseleaf Of hand in his own work.
aged one. 1.-THE Lord be
with yu for sweet young lady"
Day picked up her basket, hurried UP
to the main road, and was soon walk
Ing swiftly homewards. But swiftly as
she went, the storm moved more quick
ly still.
Flash succeeded fash with startling
rapidlty; the whole artillery Of heav-
en- seemed rumbling across the Skies
The sea was no longer calm but NOV
ed and swelled as II In some strange
and every moment the sky
grew blacker. A dreadful oppression
allied the air, which was almost suffo-
catingly hot. AS Day hurried on, half
she felt her throat dry and
and the perspiratlon stood in
beads on her face.
No human creature had passed her; I
here were no houses between Finstray
md Abbot's Head. But suddenly, as
Day ran on, she heard the sound Of
,ell ringing behind her, and, turning,
The saw cyclist come flying along the '
Dad at terrific speed. For a moment
Ter heart bounded, for she thought 1t
vas Magnus. Bicycles were not so 1
Common in that far 0rcadlan land. 4
The nnxt mnnent she knew n was inn -