Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-10-09
CHAPTER u.-(Cont,nuedO.

At last Frank, pulling the old blue
jacket from under his head and passing
1t to Mary, said: Take 1t to Bill Bender
he offered me a shilling for IL, and
shilling will buy milk for Allie and crack
ers for mother-take It."
mo, Frankly" answered Mary. you
would have no pillow; besides, I've got
something more valuable, which can
sell. I've kept 1t long, but 1t must 90 to
keep us from starving"-and she held to
view the golden locket which George
Moreland had thrown around her neck.
"You shan't sell that" said Frank.
"You must keep It to remember George;
and then, too, you may want It more some
other time"
Mary finally yielded the point, and
gathering up the orumpled Jacket started
In quest of Billy Bender. He was a
kind-hearted boy, two years older than
Frank. whom he had often befriended
and shielded from the jeers Of their COM
panons. He did not want the jacket, for
1t was a vast deal too small, and 1t was
only In reply to a proposal from Frank
that he should buy 1t that he had casual
ly offered him shilling. But now, when
he saw the garment, and learned why 1t
was sent he Immediately drew from his
old leather wallet quarter, all the
money he had IN the world, and giving
1t to Mary, bade her keep 1t, as she would
need 1t all.
Half an hour after a cooling orange
was held to Franks parched lips, and
Mary said, Drink, brotheri I've got two
more, besides some milk and bread" but
the ear she addressed was deaf and the
eye dim with the fast-falling shadow Of
death. Mother! motherv cried the lit
tie girl, "Franky won't drink, and his
forehead Is all sweat"
Mrs Howard had been much worse
that day, but agony made her strong.
Springing to his side, she wiped from
his brow the cold moisture which had
SO alarmed her daughter, chafed his
hands and feet, and barhed his head, un-
til he seemed better and fell asleep.
Fast the shades Of night came on, and
when all was dark In the sick room Mary
sobbed out, I'VE have no candle, moth
er, and IL l 60 forH one, and he should
die"
The sound Of her voice aroused Frank,
and feeling for his sisters hand, he said.
Don't so, Mary; don't leave me-the
moon is shining bright, and guess can
find my way to God just as WELL"
e-ten-eleven-and then through
the dingy windows the silvery moonlight
fell, as If indeed to light the way Of the
early lost to heaven. Mary had drawn
her mothers lounge to the side Of the
tcundle bed, and In state Of almost per-
feet exhaustion Mrs. Howard lay gasp
Ing for breath, while Mary, as II con-
scious Of the dread reality about to oc-
cur, knelt by her side. Once Mrs. How
ard laid her hands on Mary's head, and
prayed that she might be preserved and
kept from harm by the God Of the Or
phan, and that the sin Of disobedience
resting on her own head might net be
visited upon her child.
After a time a troubled sleep came up
on her and she slept until reused by a
low sob. Raising herself up, she look
anxiously toward her children. The
moonbeams fell upon the white, placid
face of Frank, who seemed calmly sleep
ing, while over him Mary bent, pushing
back from his forehead the thick clus-
tering curls, and striving hard to smoth-
er her sobs, 80 that they might not dis
turb her mother.
"Does he sleepw asked Mrs. Howard,
and Mary, covering with her hands the
face Of him who slept, answered.;
"Turn away, mother-don't look at
him Frankly Is dead. He died with his
arms around my neck. and told me not
to wake you"
Mrs Howard was In the last stages OF
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