Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-06-07

head. The boy decided that he didn't
like him much.
How ould are YEP" the man asked.
"Siven, a" said Natty.
us it so long;" said the other. After
long silence Natty arose suddenly to
the responsibility of his position.
Are We hungry, sorr?' he asked.
II am dead hungry" The bow
brought the remains of the bread and
butter from the cupboard; also a bowl
Of milk.
"Grandad, he explained, Twill may
be bring somethin betther Was he ex-
peotin ye at all, sorr?''
He was, for he sint me letther."
Thin it was ye the letther wint to?''
1T KEN TO me anywayr' Natty was
disappointed. He had vaguely antici-
pated greater results than this from the
letter.
He wouldn't expect me tonight, a"
the other explained "'Twas tomorrer
mornin l should have come. but had
slack day, worse luck. an used it this
way. The boy nodded Then he asked,
Are ye one av mine?''
"Wha' do We mane?''
'Lations''
ITO be sure l am-yer cousin. Did
ye niver hear av me?''
What name have We, sorr?"
me name" said the little man.
with cracking dignity, "is Timothy
Daily"
Thin ye're Cousin Tim?"
Il am" There was another pause, in
which Natty began to feel some slight
natural drawings toward the new rela-
tion, and with them came renewed
sense of his duty as host.
Are ye tired. Cousin Tim?" he ask
ed.
DOG tired. boy"
Thin ye might sit in grandad's
chair. 'Tis fine an aisy." Daily made
the exchange of seats without speaking
He was, in fact, very tired indeed and
not overpleased at old Byrne's myste-
rious summons. The men had not met
for six years, and there bad been no
love lost between them at any time.
DAILY was well TO do, hard headed
man 10 whom poor relations were as the
dregs in his cup of fortune, but he new
er denied the bond Of blood If he some
times disregarded its claims.
"Do thin boots hurt ye?' Natty in
quired, curling up his own naked toes.
They do" said Daily, IAN I've
walked twilve mile in EN-"
Tick 'em aft, II" said Natty. "Wait, {"
he added, jumping once more from his
stool. "I'll do it fur We, Cousin Tim. -
He was down ON his knees before Daily
had time co say word. and whether
it was the simple kindness Of the action
or the sight of the curly bent head or
the unfamiliar touch Of little fingers !
cannot say, but the man was struck
homo.
Ach. but it's a good boy ye are. " he
said. patting Natty's cheek.
Boots, said Natty, speaking from
an infinitesimal experience, "is terrible
trim TO the fate. There, Cousin Tim,
now I'll sthir up the fire an put ON an
other pate.
This being accomplished, Natty again
perohed himself ON his stool. DAILY
watched him with blinking eyes. The
keen mountain air had made him sleepy,
and feeling of drowsy kindliness crept
over him. He nodded now and then,
awakening with jerk, and always to
find Natty's benign gaze fixed upon him.
''Go to slape, said Natty, IAN I'll
wake ye whin grandad comes" DAILY
smiled and settled back in his chair. In
moment he was asleep. 1t seemed to
the boy that Cousin Tins head must
be uncomfortable against the hard wood,
so be got his own small pillow, which
had chronic dusky hue, and settled il
under the mans wiry hair. DAILY smiled
Q0afp fanhIx- lN,,k xx,s&kDv,k IL.
eyes.
Half an hour after this Natty heard
other footsteps He held up a warning
finger as Nat entered and pointed to the
sleeping visitor.
90 'Tis Tim, sure, murmured the old
man.
Hes slapin, whispered Natty.
Nat set down the great basket he was
carrying cautiously upon the table and
examined Tim DAILY with the closest at
tention. The survey did not appear to
please him particularly.
'Jist the same" he said. "Divil a
ohange-a black. hard man. God help
i'm" There was strange glitter in
the old man's red trimmed eyes, a look
in which anger and triumph contended,
but the latter won. He had the marks
of hard life upon his face and body,
deep lines, bent shoulders. knotted and
clumsy hands. His feet dragged as he
moved, all the spring had long since
left his joints; yet he carried himself
with certain open dignity. Ragged
gray hair fell round face sharply
eager and aquiline
The first thing he did was to take a
bag Of sweets from his pocket. These
were transferred to Natty, who imme-
diately fell to a contented munohing OF
them. Then he unpacked the basket and
revealed to the boys astonished gaze
luxuries which he had only dreamed OF
or seen in shop windows at Carmore-a
tin of salmon, a pot of jam. three loaves
OF white bread, cake in silver paper
and a bottle of wine. Nat had hesitated
long over the wine. but he had con-
vinced himself that it was the proper
thing. and SO at last had bought it. All
these wards were set forth upon the ta-
BILE. and Nat fell back to admire the ef-
feet.