Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-05

White lace In the CID. she noticed the
!hange in his face
"They fear the little one will never
see the Saviour If it is not baptized,
she said In low tone.
He was eager to go.
"Tll do my best to get the priest" he
said and was gone on his sixty mile
race with death.
The long afternoon wore on, but be
fore it was half gone l saw Nixon
could not win and that the priest would
he too late, so l sent for Mr.. Craig
From the moment he entered the room
he took command of us all. He was sc
simple. so manly, so tender, the hearts
Of the parents instinctlvely turned tc
him.
AS he was about to proceed with the
baptism the mother whispered to Mrs
Mavor, who hesitatingly asked Mr.
Craig il he would object to using holy
water.
ITO me it is the same as any other
he replied gravcly.
"An will he make the good sign ~
asked the mother timidly.
And so the child was baptized by the
Presbyterian minister with holy water
and with the sign of the cross. l don't
suppose it was orthodox, and ii render
ed chaotic some of my religious no
tons, but thought more of Craig that
moment than ever before. He was
more man than minister, or perhaps he
t,,i,, i~f. 1,,t =. -.
cause so much q man. AS he read about
the Saviour and the children and the
disciples who tried to get in between
them, and as he told us the story in his
own simple and beautiful way and
then went on to picture the home of
I'm the midst Of them, felt my heart
grow warm. and l could easily under
stand the cry Of the mother:
"Oh, mon Jesu, prenez moi aussi, take
me wiz mon mignon!'
The cry Weakened Slavin's heart, and
he said huskily:
"Oh, Annette, Annette"
"Ah, oui an Michael toow Then to
Mr.. Craig: You tink he's tax me some
day? Eh?"
All who love him." he replied.
AN Michael. too" she asked, her
Eyes searching his face. An Michael
,oo?"
But Craig only replied, "All who love
him
"Ah, Michael, you must pray lie bon
Jesu. He's garde notre mignon." And
then she bent over the babe, whisper
ing "Ah, mon cheri, mon amour adieu,
adieu, mon angel" till Slavin put his
arms about her and took her away. for
as she was whispering her farewells
her baby, with a little answering sigh,
passed into the house with many rooms.
Whisht, Annette, darling, don't cry
for the baby" said her husband. Sure
it's better off than the rest Of us it Is.
And didn't you hear what the minister
said about the beautiful place it is?
And sure he wouldn't lie to us at ALL"
But mother cannot be comforted
for her frstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
Goulet. He was little Frenchma n
with gentle manners and the face of a
saint. Craig welcomed him warmly
and told him what he had done.
That is good, my brother" he said,
with gentle courtesy, and, turning TO
the mother, Your little one is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixon
softly and gazed down upon the little
quiet face, beautiful with the magic of
death. Slavin came quietly and stood
beside him. Nixon turned and offered
his hand. but Slavin, moving slowly
back. said:
Il did you wrong Nixon, and it's a
sorry man I am this day for it,"
Don't say word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedly. Il know how you
feel. I've got baby too. l want to
see it again. That's why the break
hurt me So"
AS Gods above" replied Slavin ear
nestly, "I'll hinder you no more
They shook hands. and we passed
out
We laid the baby under the pines.
not far from Billy Breen. and the sweet
spring wind blew through the gap and
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and the
hiding flowers Of the new life coming
to the world. And the mother must
have heard the whisper in her heart,
for as the priest was saying the words
of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her, and her eyes
We're looking far away beyond the pur-
pie mountain tops, seeing what made
her smile. And Slavin, too, looked df-
ferent. His very features seemed finer.
The coarseness was gone out of his
face. What had come to him ! could
not tell.
But when the doctor came into Sla-
WINS house that night it was the old
Slavin l saw, but with look of such
deadly fury on his face that | tried to
get the doctor out at once. But he was
half drunk. and his manner was hid
eously humorous.
How do, ladies? How DO. gentle
men," was his loud voiced salutation.
quite a professional gathering clergy
predominating. Lion and lamb TOO.
Ha. ha Which is the lamb, Ell? Ha,
hal Very good! Awfully sorry to
hear OF your loss, Mrs. Savn. Did
our best, you know; can't help this sort
OF thing"
Before any one could move Craig
was at his side and. saying in clear,
arm voice, "One moment, doctor"