Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-02-05


mo, Billy" she said, and 1 wonder
ed at her steady voice. mot a bit.
Why, Billy. 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 EN-, Geordie. They
didn't mean no arm he said and his
eyes kept waiting till Geordie said hur-
riedly:
ma, ma, lad! I'll just leave them till
the ALMIGHTY"
Then Mrs. MAYOR sang softly, smooth
ing his hand, Just as 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 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:
"Will 'e?"
"Surew said Craig.
"Will 'e?" he repeated, turning his
eyes upon Mrs. Mavor.
"Why. yes, Billy" she answered
cheerily, though the tears We're stream
ing from her eyes. 81 would, and he
loves you far more"
He looked at her, smiled and closed
his eyes put my hand on his heart
1t was tluttering feebly. Again trou-
bled look passed over his face.
"My-poor- hold-mother!' he whis.
pered. "She's-hin-the-
II shall take care of her, Billy" said
Mrs. Mavor in a clear voice, and again
Billy smiled Then he turned his eyes
to Mr.. Craig and from him to Geordie
and at last to Mrs. Mavor, where they
rested. She bent over and kissed him
twice on the forehead.
'"Tell 'er," he said, with difficulty, "e's
took me 'ome.'
Eyes, Billy" she cried, gazing into
his glazing eyes.
He tried to lift her hand. She kissed
him again. He drew one deep breath
and lay quite still.
"Thank the blessed Saviour said
Mr.. Craig reverently. "He has taken
him home"
But Mrs. Mavor held the dead hand
tight and sobbed out passionately:
''Oh, Billy, Billy, you helped me once
when l needed help! l cannot forgetv'
And Geordie, grooming, AYE, laddie
ladder passed out into the fading light
of the early evening.
| Next day no one went to work, for tc
! all it seemed sacred day. They car
ried him into the little church, and
there Mr.. Craig spoke of his long, hard
| fight and of his final victory, for he
died without fear and with love to
the men who, not knowing, had been
his death. And there was no bitter
ness in any heart, for Mr.. Craig read
the story of the sheep and told how
gently he had taken Billy home; but,
| though no word was spoken, it was
there the league was made again.
| They laid him under the pines beside
Lewis Mavor, and the miners threw
sprigs of evergreen into the open
grave. When Slavin, sobbing bitterly,
brought his sprig, no one stopped him,
though all thought it strange.
AS we turned to leave the grave the
light from the evening sun came soft
~ through the gap in the mountains
and, filling the valley, touched the trees
and the little mound beneath with glo-
ry, and l thought Of that other glory
which is brighter than the sun and
was not sorry that poor Buly's weary
fight was over, and 1 could not help
agreeing with Craig that it was there
the league had its revenge.