St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-12-24
BLACK ROCK.
TContinued from Nov. 26.l

"And-ye hall-'elped me SOL! he went
on. "Oi wish Ord "a done better-Oi
do" And his eyes sought Geordie and
then rested on Mrs. Mavor, who smiled
back at him with a world of love In
her eyes. you hain't hashamed o me
-yore heyes saigh So" be said, look
ing at her.
mo, Billy" she said, and l wonder
ed at her steady voice, mot bit.
Why, Billy, 1 am proud of you"
He gazed up at her with wonder and
ineffable love in his little eyes, then
lifted his hand slightly toward her.
She knelt quickly and took it in both
of hers, stroking it and kissing it.
"Oi Taught TIA done better Dim
lawful sorry OF went back on i'm. Hit
was the lemonade. The boys didn't
mean no arm, but hit started the ell
hinside."
Geordie hurled out some bitter words.
Don't be ard on 'em, Geordie. They
didn't mean no ARM" he said, and his
eyes kept waiting till Geordie said hur-
riedly:
INA, ma, lad! I'll just leave them till
the ALMIGHTY"
Then Mrs. Mavor sang softly, smooth
ing his hand, "Just as l AM" and Billy
dozed quietly for half an hour.
When he awoke again, his eyes turn
ed to Mr.. Craig, and they were trou-
bled and anxious.
"Oi tried ard OF wanted to win, "
he struggled to say.
By this time Craig was master OF
himself, and he answered in a clear,
distinct voice:
Listen, Billy. You made a great
fight, and you are going to win yet.
And, besides, do you remember the
sheep that got lost over the noun
tains? This parable was Billy's spe-
cial delight. "He didn't beat it when
he got it, did he? He took it in his
arms and carried it home, and so he
will you"
And Billy, keeping his eyes fastened
on Mr.. Craig, simply said:
Twill 'eP
"Surew said Craig.
"Will 'e?' he repeated, turning hi
eyes upon Mrs. Mavor.
"Why, yes, Billy" she answered
cheerily, though the tears were stream
ing from her eyes. 81 would, and hi
loves you far more"
He looked at her, smiled and CLOSED
his eyes. put my hand on his heart
1t was f1uttering feebly. Again a trou
bled look passed over his face.
or-hold-mother" he whis
pered. Observation-Disclosures"
81 shall take care of her, Billy" sail
Mrs. Mavor in a clear voice, and agail
Billy smiled. T&en he turned his eye
to Mr.. Craig and from him to Geordi
and at last to Mrs. Mavor, where the
rested. She bent over and kissed hin
twice on the forehead.
"Tell 'er," he said, with difficulty, Sc
took me 'ome."
eyes, Billy! she cried, gazing int
his glazing eyes. "a y ..+
He tried to lift her hand. She kisse
him again. He drew one deep breat
and lay quite still.
"Thank the blessed Saviour" sal
Mr.. Craig reverently. He has take
him home"
But Mrs. Mavor held the dead han
tight and sobbed out passionately:
"Oh, Billy, Billy, you helped me ono
when l needed help! l cannot forget
And Geordie, grooming, AYE, laddi
ladder passed out into the fading ligl
of the early evening.
Next day no one went to work, for
all it seemed q sacred day. They ca
ried him into the little church, ar
there Mr.. Craig spoke of his long, han
fight and of his final victory, for
died without a fear and with love
the men who, not knowing, had bee
his death. And there was no bite
ness in any heart, for Mr.. Craig rec
the story of the sheep and told no
gently he had taken Billy home; BIT
though no word was spoken, it WI
there the league was made again.
They laid him under the pines besit
Lewis Mavor, and the miners thre
sprigs of evergreen into the ope
grave. When Slavin, sobbing bitterl
brought his sprig, no one stopped hil
though all thought it strange.
AS we turned to leave the grave tt
light from the evening sun came sol
ly through the gap in the mountain
and, filing the valley, touched the tire
and the little mound beneath with 81
ry, and l thought of that other glo
which is brighter than the sun al
was not sorry that poor Billy's wea
fight was over, and l could not he
agreeing with Craig that it was the
the league had its revenge.
CHAPTER x.
WHAT CAME TO sLAvIN.