The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-12-26

& "a skin coat and
emptied at u
gulp the trimming cup of coffee
handed him by his sister Olga. Then
placing finger on his lip:
Var stilla, my Olga, l have some
what to tell thee, but yonder little
pitcher has long ears. So he con-
tinued, turning to mite OF a girl
sitting sedately near the blazing fire.
place, intently engaged in thumbing
q well-worn primer book, thou art
studious, min lila 1icka, as l told
thee to be- Come hither, my little
maid, and show me thy book"
He took the book quickly offered
him, and deity placing in it something
he secretly drew from his pocket,
thrust it out of sight behind him.
"Dost remember, sweetheart, that
l told thee the rooster pictured on
the front page Of thy book would
bring thee something if thou vert
good?"
ia, brother Karl, and so | have
been good; ask sister Olga" said the
child. smiling up into his face.
Indeed, yes" answered Olga, drs~-
ing the little sister close into her
arms, and giving her a hug and
kiss. "Thilda is always sweet and
good.
"Well. then, let us see what the
rooss Ter has brought thee, my Thilda."
Opening the book, Karl pretended
TO be amazed at something he saw,
5d showing it to Olga, she raised
Ar hands in well-assumed astonish
mott Thilda, unable to restrain her
Curiosity, suddenly seized the book
carelessly held in Karl's huge hand
Just within her reach, and opening
it. uttered shout of delight as she
drew forth a beautiful white candy
dog, with a pink ribbon round its
neck.
THANK you, good Karl" she said
simply, pouting up her lips for
kiss
May, child, it's not me thou hast
to thank, but the rooster" he eX-
planned, adding: Now, min lila
ficka, thou knowest that the good Jo-
han is far away from home, wilt go
into thy chamber and pray for thy
to her which thou mayst not hear.
Good child" he continued, patting her
head as she turned obediently to
obey.
81 have some news, my sister, about
thy sweetheart. 1t is of some i'm
portance since it tells me that thy
Johan still lives"
MAY the good God so ordain," said
Olga fervently, land may He restore
him to nay arms"
amen" murmured Karl, "but to
the news. IT'S now three days since
Johan went into the dark forest to
cut the frs for the Jul Tieden and
returned not as he should have done
that same night. The next day we
found his ak buried deep in a tree,
RS thou knowest, but all other trace
of him was lost. Well, to-day we pen
etrated as far as the gloomy Falun
mines and found his empty wallet"
7 "And-and-thou didst follow his
steps in the srow?" stammered Olga
rsTell me quickly, Karl, my brother"
THAT is what we did not do, Olga,
for the reason that there were no
footprints in the snow. The wallet
could not have been cast there by any
one. for we tracked a circle of ,hun-
dred yards and found the snow sun-
broken. Moreover, piece of ore was
laid upon it as if to prevent its being
blown away. 1t was placed there, but
not by Johan, Olga"
THANK God, he has found a shelter
there, some miners, perhaps. He
may even now be on his way to me"
said Olga, jealousy. go quickly, my
brother, to meet him"
"Do not raise thy hopes too high,
nv sister, neither let thy heart sink.
Thy Johan is alive, true, but the hand
tLat placed his wallet where II was
found was not that of a mortal. Nay
he not alarmed" he said, putting
an arm around her, for the girl was
seized with fit of trembling. BE
brave. my sister, and all will be well
IL thou wilt be guided by me-"
an anything and everything. my
brother." said Olga, clasping her
hands. MY soul for Johan's If need
be"
mot that, kara soster, not that shall
ne required OF thee, but bravery thou
must show. little woman. such brav-
cry as few men dare show. Thy Jo-
han's return depends upon thee"