The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-04-05

trifing matter had become. But 10!
the elements had arbitrated. Mr.. Cook
announced his finale at the breakfast
table: Thank the gods and graces,
odds are even at last; faithful Bools
and warrn-hearted Cathy can conscien-
tiously we'd"
After this outbreak the weather re-
sumed the even tenor Of its way; charm
ing days rolled by. one so much like
the other that few called them singly
to account. Locust Nest stood in the
midst of dreamy old garden and the
hum Of bee and the drone OF insect
sounded by the hour. The doctors
child, when she was not haunting the
stairway and window lodges of the de-
lightsome old nest itself, haunted this
garden. She started out of nook or by
path, taking Mrs. Winters often un-
awares, and always with a book in
hand.
Mrs. Winters, liking TO pull beans
herself and to "fuss" among her vege-
tables, stood one day under an apple
tree surveying her store, when a some
thing dropped from the gnarled
branches above. "Mercy, child, where
were you? Why do you always have
that book ?"
at is not that book, it is another.
Father and Think schools are disagree
able, so l study by myself learn all
over just what | wish to, and every Fri
day evening father and visit together
ard l tell him what do not know. You
see when people have not got much
but each other they think a good deal
of each other. Folks say have lost
my mother, but father said that / am
not real well acquainted with anybody
but old nurse, who looks like your
Cathy, and father; we cannot stay here
much longer now; I thought | would
tell you. We like corners; you always
find something nice around a corner;
the city is full of corners, so I tbink
we viii go away soon," and blue eyes
met blue eyes. At that instant the thud
OF hoofs was heard, and away down the
drive and out into the road ran the
child. Mrs. Winters FASTENED into her
kitchen. That evening closed in early
full of darkness and storm. Heaven
and earth seemed to shake beneath the
mighty tread of its approach. Light
ming cut the air, thunder rolled; the
creek a quarter mile above the Nest
rose defiantly so that fording was made
impossible, and the bridge might easily
be missed in such anight. Grille, who
had been studying up thunderstorms
of late, desired her father to neither
stand nor TO run If ever caught by one,
tall, pointed objects being fine marks"
Several persons watched from windows
the increasing gloom and fury without
when dinner was called. but scarcely
were they seated at table when lie
waitress appeared al her mistress ell
bow. The school-teacher al the pro-
fessor's was very ill; no doctor TO be
found. Would Or. Flint accompany the
messenger?
Girlie uttered an involuntary "Ohi"
Mrs. Winters not a word nor even raised
her eyes. Cyrus Flint rose and STROBE
from the room. He reappeared be
capped and becloaked and opened the
outer door. Boo,s was there with two
hcrses and lantern, under whose red
glover glistened the coats Of rider
and horse. \ fierce gust Of wind met
him, but he made his way out.
Father" the doctor bent from his
saddle; 'ho.d this high and SIT low"
and the little figure stood on its tip
toes and reached up small sunshade-
that precious blue silk parasol-sacri-
need 10y warm little heart to cleo
trio greed, confident that surrounding
that beloved head it would be Quite
tall enough and pointed" enough
to avert attack. "Bless you, sweetheart.
Take her in" he cried; but Cathys
arms were already about her and she
was carried in while her father rode
away into the wild night.
The ehimeiike stroke Of the great
clock was telling IL when violent
knock came on the kitchen door and
lioois' voice was heard. Cathv set the
door ajar when Bools pushed it open
and entered, followed by neighboriug
iarmhands bearing a rude litter upon
which was stretched a form whose gar
ments, as did those of the other men.
drlpped water which trickled right
ana left over the polished floor. The
cook wrung her hands.
"oh, my! Oh, my! Is he killed or
drowned that you fetch him on raft,
ana his fatherless babe above stairs.
Oh, my! Oh, my!"
-. Hist! Where's the lady?Y But Mrs.
winters, her eyes wide and full of
alarm, already stood on a threshold
neekoning. Bring him this way into
'ne bedroom, and do you, Boo,s. watch
all the trains and catch the first doc
Tor who comes" Then she and Cotbv
worked over the injured man until day-
break, with which came Bools and Dr.
Hale. anu "
Late in the afternoon DR.. Flint walk
ened' conscious and observant. Ananx-
ious race was bending over him, and
pe'ore It's owner could withdraw the
aoctor grasped two small hands
heta! My Reta! see all now. some.
! ,nhS has shadowed me nersss4o,,.T,.