The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1905-11-11

this marked the second mile. Fror
here the road ran diagonally acros
the prairie, a velvet black streak O
the pale gray sod
This mile ws covered in less fin
than the first, for the footing wa
better.
Here and there the swales were ful
Of water. but Kitty dashed throue]
them unhesitatingly, sending the ic-
water in broad sheets from beneatl
her bounding hoofs. Once she wen
down in steep gully, and her rider
unseated, swung round to her neck
but instantly regained his place, ane
shouted:
GO on, Kitty"
The fourth mile was in the mud. the
fifth still worse, and the mares proud
head began to lower and her breath to
labor. She snorted no more in exulta-
tlon OF her strength, but ran silently
and the boy, who knew her ways as
well as he knew those Of his little
brother, realized that she was begin
ming to flag
1t hurt him to urge her on. but the
memory Of his mothers white, con-
torted face and the sound Of his faith
ers agonized groaning tortured his
heart. With lips set in determined
line, he kept his spur to her side
| The sixth mile was turnpike and bet
ter footing, the seventh mile fairly
within the town limits. All, there was
G!eam Of light! Some one was
awake, and the world was instantly
less cheerless. There bloomed another.
His heart bounded with joy as he drew
rein where the red and green lamps
Of the drug store threw a jocund light
upon the mud Of the street The doc
tor lived next door, and there, too,
dim light shone
Slipping from his weary horse, and
without waiting to tether her, he hur-
ried up the short grave1ed walk and
began to feel for the bell, which he
remembered was on the right Of the
door. When his hands encountered it
thrill of relief ran through him.
Once, twice. thrice he pulled-pulled
hard and quick, then waited, listen
ing while its imperative jingle died
away.
The door opened at last. and. the
doctor, a tall, impassive, blond-beard
ed man in a night-gown, stood before
him.
What is it, my boy?"
I'm Vincent Stearn, sir. My father
is awfully sick; we want you to come
quick!'
The doctor looked down at the pale,
wild-eyed, water-soaked lad for mo-
ment, then peered out into the dismal
night He was a soldier, man OF
but he hesitated an in
slant.
"All right, my boy, I'll be there
SOON"
The messenger turned and ran down
the path in haste, to mount his shiv-
ering mare before the cold entered her
blood and stiffened her limbs.
Her spirit was not broken. Snorting !!
with JOY, she whirled into the street |!
before her rider was fairly in the sad
ale, and set off for home with renewed |
1t seemed that she, too, |
knew her riders errand was accom-
Dlished, and that the warm shelter of
he barn now waited; but the shiver-
often in his saddle to look for the
lights on the doctors carriage.
His heart filled with anxiety. II
rope he'll come now," he said many
lines, and yet he could not have
blamed him for waiting till morning.
ng crafty, came to view; and draw
ng Kitty to a walk, he listened.
Hes driving the clay banks!"
le called aloud, and his ad-
of this fierce and power
ul span came to him. They were
he doctors pride, a pair of wild-eyed
,ut untiring half-breed Morgans,
cam he did not spare, team that
corned to be petted or pitied, team
hat would take care of itself on all
,inds of road and under all kinds of
veather-bony and sinewy.
ny SAAAS AuohAAS, tAlCIl AAOuCAo
Gaming, their teeth set on the bit,
he big doctor, calm, iron-handed, sit
ing in the swaying top of his light
uggy, his feet against the dashboard.
ilent, watchful, master Of his furious
roncos. The nigh horse was running
he off one pacing, and the pounding
plash of their hoofs, the slash of
he wheels, the roaring of their nos
rils made the boys hair rise.
AS he drew aside to let them pass.
he doctor called out:
Take your time, my boy, take your
me!"
And before the kindly significance
these words had warmed the boys
rain, he was alone with Kitty and
ne dark
His anxiety was gone; whatsoever
appened now, his duty had been met
he fetching of the doctor exhausted
IL human resource; his fathers fate
ow rested with the man Of science
nd with God. A greater relief, a
Weet loosening of the heart-strings
e knew would come to the tortured
lother in few moments, and with
tier confidence and loving faith the