The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-05-11
HEROISM WINS REWARD

/ hEROISM WINS REWARD
beautiful summer day was drawing to
Its close in the pretty, city Of B. The
SUM-, as it slowly sank to rest cast . rosy
glow over the earth, while the clouds float
ing slowly overhead caught its radiant glory
| and shone SO dazzlingly bright one would
| thing heavens own gates were open. dis
closing glimpse Of its splendors.
Leaning on gate of modest cottage, ap-
parently absorbed in the beautiful scene
before her. was fair young girl with a
! face too sad and carewQrn for one so young.
Suddenly a look Of pain crossed her face,
and her sweet lips trembled as the voice of
| her little brother reached her, saying in a
plaintive tone, Mamma. does heaven look
like that. and am 1 to 60 there soon?"
Forcing back the tears which would fill
her eyes she turned to the window where
the little sufferer lay, and said, in a gentle
voice: What. Bertie' dear! Would you
leave mamma and me ia2l alone?"
And the child. seeing the grieved look on
his sisters face, smileq sweetly and ans
"Oh. no; Lii. But it does look SO pretty.
And she knew that unless they could pro-
cure the necessary medicines for him, he,
| too, would be there with papa.
Soon her thoughts went back sadly to the
time. only short year ago, when, surround
ed by everything father loving care could
suggest, she had not one thought or wish
ungratifled; then of the dark days which
followed SO swiftly on her fathers DEATH
and the struggle with poverty since: but
she, resolved that in some way she must
save her brothers life. To resolve was to
do with Lillian, and entering the room where
her mother sat sewing, she said cheerfully:
Mamma I think l will take Mrs Browns
dress home tonight, and il you do not OBJ
iect will take my wheel and go for a spin
afterward, may I?'
Certainly, dear, you are not looking WELL
and it may do you good. I can't have my
little daughter ill.," and she looked with love
| and anxiety at her daughters pale face
Bending over Lille kissed her on both her
cheeks, and said laughingly: "Well, then,
I will go, but do not worry If am a little
late"
And this is what she intended doing: Her
father, Just before his death, had given her
high grade bicycle, and, although she had
wished to sell it, her mother absolutely re-
fused to let her part with it. Now, however
she must sell it, she thought, even though it
nearly broke her heart, for she was an ex-
pert wheelwoman, and it formed her sole
| enjoyment.
She delivered the dress and was slowly
| riding along wondering how she could dis
pose of her wheel to the best advantage,
when a shrill scream startled her, and
glancing up, she saw dainty child walking
slowly along, while rushing down the street
behind her was huge black dog. The peo-
pie were hurrying in every direction, and
cries of mad dog!" filed the air, but no
one paused to help the little one, who stood
| in helpless bewilderment.
With cry of "Cowards' Lillian turned
and rode with all her might toward the spot
Would she get there first and could save the
child? were the thoughts that filled her
mind, for the dog-as though devining her
Object-had sprung forward faster than
ever. Now, only block remained between
them. Could she do it in that space?
Gripping the handle bar firmly with one
hand she breathed low God help me"
and sped on with all her strength, and, as
though in answer to her prayer, the dog
stumbled and. fell; only. for. a moment,
though, when on he came, flingng the foam
from his cleaning teeth. But Lillian saw
her advantage, and setting her teeth hard,
she reached out and grabbed the child by the
dress as she passed by. The pain in her
arm was intense, andithe shock almost un-
seated her, but with grim determination to
do or die, on she sped.
She could hear the painting breath of the
maddened brute behind her; she could al
most feel his hot breath. And then, o.,
heaven! with an ugly, growl, he leaped for
ward and sank his teeth into the tire.
Quick as thought, then she. jumped from the
wheel, just as quick shot rang out, and
she saw the dog, with ohe convulsive shud-
der, drop dead. CO
The excitement proved too much for her,
however, and she sank to the ground with a
low moan. When she recovered, kind faces
were all around, and bending over her, gen.
thy bathing her sprained arm, wah a richly
dressed lady, who, in answer to Lillian s
family murmured SIS the child safe?" burst
into tears, and in broken voice tried to
thank her for her childs life
Six months later there was a grand we'd
| ding. The bride was Lillian, and the gen.
tleman standing beside her, looking so
brave and handsome, was the little child 8
big uncle, who fairly worships the little
| heroine who saved his pets life and in the
little page, looking SO we'll and rosy, we rec
ognize little BERTHE. And SO, to the chime
of wedding BELLS we leave them.-Boston
Post.