The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-10-13
hiking to escape that awful pounding

sinking to escape that awful pounding
that made her CULVER as if living crea-
ture. 1t was fight to keep her bow on to
the waves, for she sorely tried to shirk
the encounter, and Sinking meant
laundering. 1t was gasp for breath rs
the gale beat itself into their lungs to
suffocate them while it dashed the
spume into their eyes to blind them, and
when the boat grounded in the lee of
the wharf at the Point, DR.. Cockriil
staggered like a drunken man as ne
strobe up the wharf and Capt. Isaac
painted as if he had run a mile.
Not little task was the walk up the
hill in the teeth Of the gale to the HOB
son house, but they cid it, and the door
opened at their first step on the porch,
for a watchful woman has keen ear.
Il am afraid you are too late, doctor"
she groaned.
He made no reply, but dropping Els
soaked cape on the floor tramped up
stairsto the sickroom.
The little boy lay with beads of sweat
on his forehead, writhing in his effort
to breathe, emitting that Growing, rasp-
ing noise which tells that the hand Of
death presses sorely On the throat of his
victim. Mrs. Hobson sank upon her
knees, quivering with the great de-
spair which overwhelmed her, for she
had lost husband and daughter, and this
fair-haired boy alone remained to her.
At the sight of the dying child the old
doctors eyes cleaned with the light
of battle, his lips gripped close to-
gether and his grav beard seemed to
stand out like bristles. Here was CON-
test with his old adversary worthy Of
his steel; more than half-beaten army
to be rallied, a beleaguered city ready to
open its gates to the enemy. He flung
his coat from him and rolled his shirt
sleeves from his hairy arms.
Get up" he said to Mrs. Hobson,
shaking her roughly by the arm. She
was no woman in his eyes then, merely
a fellow soldier in great fight, and she
must do her duty.
''Hot water" he said, CURLY; "and i'm
mediately," at the same time pouring
some medicine into 4 glass.
The gale stormed. but he needed it not.
He stood alongside of the woman he had
loved for 80 years and needed her not.
He saw nothing but the grisly shape
at the head of the bed, which Knocked
him.
Midnight tolled from the old clock in
the hall. and the child lay gasping. DR..
Cockrill's battle had been fought. Ma
ture must do the rest. He stood, his
fingers on the child's wrist and his eyes
fixed on his face. Mrs. Hobson, on tho
other side of the bed watched alternate
ly the faces of the doctor and her
grandchild, her face pale, her hands
tightly clasped.
For an instant the child seemed to
stop breathing, a convulsion writhed
his limbs, and then with long sigh he
turned upon his side. DR.. Cockrill bent
over him, and then raised his head aloft
and from his lips there burst cry that
old Capt. Isaac, sitting by the fire in the
dining-room, heard, and started from
his doze.
Beaten, by God. Beaten again"
Mrs. Hobson burst into thankful
tears as the doctor drew down his
sleeves and resumed his coat.
He'll do all right now" said he.
"You 60 and get some rest. I'll watch
awhile. The danger is past"
She walked over to hiA and clasped
his hand in both of hers. 1t had been
30 years since Mary Gibson's hand had
lain in his, but at the touch his blood
tingled and the wrathful eyes softened.
Go now" he said. gently. Get lit
tie rest. The danger is over"
The half light of the early dawn awoke
Mrs. Hobson from the sleep of utter
exhaustion, and she FASTENED to the
sickroom, blaming herself for having
dared to sleep. The child was sleeping
restfully and DR.. Cockrill. his head on
the pillow, seemed to sleep beside him.
'Tired out" murmured Mrs Hobson.
glancing at him. and then the glance
became fearful one, and she walked
quickly over to him.
DR.. Cockrill had uttered his last def
ance, had fought bis last battle.
,r>-1,~p-<x "a, ,a,a>~,,,~~