The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-06-20

MI VII nN anu iNS-sSSu oAt ~ 'H"t'
but under his torn jacket
there glowed n spark OF
chlvalry.
One night. when Miss Alice Rea, as
she was hurrying for her train,
dropped bundle of papers from her
munf he sprang at once 30 her assist
anee. With quick "I'r pick 'cm up,
miss" he gathered them together,
brushed off the dust and handed them
to her with queer little grab at mis-
dilapidated caps
THANK you, little fellow" sine said.
Won't you have one OF my fowers?"
and selecting one from large bunch
Of white carnations which she carried
she put 1t into his hand and then passed
quickly on.
Bobby gazed at the flower with q
look of amazement, which soon
changed into broad smile OF delight.
"t'll take it home to Maggie" he said.
Maggie was his sister. who shared
with him the two tiny rooms in q
wretched tenement which BOBBY
called home. So he buttoncd 1t under
his jacket and took it to Maggie.
The next night Bobby was on the
lookout, and his vigilance was not a
vain, for when Miss Rea passed HIM
she smiled pleasantly. a young man
iii q brown ulster was with her, and
he too, gave Bobby a careless little
nod.
Bobby's eyes were bright as he wont
homeward, and Maggie met him ut the
door with face rs happy as his own.
"Oh, Bobby" she cried eagerly. "I
showed Mrs. O'Brien my flower this
afternoon, and she said If l kept il in
water maybe it would grow roots. be-
cause it's got such a long stem and go
many leaves TO It,"
Sure enough. after few days OF
careful watching and tending, tiny
white roots appeared. Then Maggie
filled an old can with earth, and the
little plant was gently placed in It.
1t grew and fourished. and with 1t
the friendship between Bobby The
flower lady-as he called her-nnd the
young man in the brown ulster in
creased. Every morning Bobby WIS
watching for them, and every evening
he stood where they would pass him
on their way 10 the train. There was
always some pleasant greeting ready,
which frightened Bobby's day and
sent him home at night with Cheerful
heart.
But one chilly February morning, as
Bobby stood in his accustomed place
he saw the young man come across the
street alone There was troubled
look on his face, and he passed lobby
without even glance.
A vague Gear rose in the boys heart,
and nothing was able to dispel il. His
other customers missed the checry sal
utation with which he usually greeted
them, and more than one looked cur.
ously at the childish face, with its pre-
occupied expression.
On the third day Bobby could endure
II no longer. AS the young man crossed
the street some one stepped directly
into the path. He looked down impa-
tiently, but his face changed as ne
recognized the boy.
What is it?" he asked quickly. but
not unkindly.
~The lady, sir?' BOBBY said, faintiy.
'Isn't she coming any more?"
II hope So" said the yeung nsan
gravely. "but not Just now. She IS
sick, you see, and the doctors say it
will be a long time at least before she
can come again"
Bobby turned away. Tho dread in
his heart had been put into words, and
the dIrect knowledge, although he had
longed TOR II, was almssr more Than
he could bear.
At last, just 4 week from the mora
ing when he had first heard the sad
news. as Bobby stood at his post he
saw the young man coming across the
street, with face so white and set
and stamped with terrible sorrow that
for moment Bobby's heart stood still.
Then, as the young man came close
to him, he stepped forward involun.
tnrily and laid his hand on the brown
sleeve.
The boy spoke no word. bat the other
read the question in the eager, anxious
eyes and said in low. choked voice;
She died this morning. am going
back in an hour
Bobby's hand dropped from the
young mans arm. For moment he
stood still. dazed by the words he had
lust heard Then. regardless of his
unsold papers. he turned and went
slowly back TO the old tenement be
had left but half an hour before.
Maggie started with surprise as he
came In. but one glance at his grief
stricken face told hor the whole story.
Tho lady. Bobby?' she gasped. ~is
she"
shes dead said Bobby. dropping
INTO the nearest chair ana laying his
neau on the old table. the young man
to'a me III never see her again, and
can't DO anything Tor herr And the
ut''f heurc WAS shaken by heavy sobs