Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-10-05

~" In the hazy foreground Of his
mind. Perhaps he might find her
here! Instantly his bewildered, ex-
cited eyes were roaming from right to
left in search of her. Twenty min
ties later he had wandered to the other
end Of the path. Then he came to
pond covered with thin sheet of ice,
around which children were clustered.
The sight terrified him. He had
dread of children when his mother
was not near to protect him. He
turned round to go home, but his con-
fused brain was not capable of pilot
ing him back. Something like a house,
something with low door to it, was
near. and into it he crawled.
Straw lay about, and he crept
amongst it and curled himself up, MUIR
muring peevishly "Mumsy! Mumsy!'
Then he shut his eyes, and few min
utes later was fast asleep.
1t was dark and showing when he
awoke three hours later. But he
crept out into the open air to continue
the search of the woman he called
"Mumsy," whose kind voice, and gen
tie, carressing ways meant his world.
Wandering EDWARDS, sometimes
crossing fields, sometimes cropping his
way through dark lanes, sometimes
sitting down to rest, he went farther
and farther from home. 1t was very,
very cold, and the fast-falling snow
clustered in masses on his golden
curls. But he wandered on. His rest
less, emi-powerless hands were icy
numb, and could no longer grasp the
toy horse, his most priced possession.
With dull thud it fell to the ground.
At last the long hours of darkness
were drawing to close. Now the
clock Of a neighboring clock was strill-
ing six. Clear and crisp the six
strokes rang out, and they startled
him, made him wish to escape from
the high road, to be alone, to hide
somewhere. Opposite to him there was
a gate leading to path through a
wood, and he eagerly entered it. Cold,
hunger, and aching limbs were caus-
ing him to long for creature comforts.
"Mumsy! Mumsy!" he walled again
and again, as he CROPPED his way
amongst the snow-laden trees. No
guiding path existed now; all was OBJ
liberated by snow. His strength was
waning fast; another twenty minutes
of stumbling EDWARDS, then he would
no longer have the strength to con-
tinue the search for his mother.
But now, at last, he had found well
come shelter. A shallow pit, well
screened> from the bitter wind, lay be-
fore him. Quickly was he creeping
down amongst the soft leaves, away
from the binding snow, away from
Suddenly an incoherent cry of JOY
rang out. His benumbed hands were
touching soft shawl-fringed like
"Mumsy's." The crimson glow of ear
ly dawn sufficed to enable him to see
distinctly corner of that shawl.
Yes; it was "Mumsy's"! He had
found her at last! And his dazed mind
was capable of realizing the joy of it.
Another moment and he had fallen
asleep, clinging to that shawl.
Six hours later he was startled by
woman's voice exclaiming; "Wen,
/ never! A child actually lying here
asleep! Poor little soul! Lor', what
lovely hair he's got! wish I weren't
Sc loaded up with parcels, Or I'd carry
him out of the woods. His poor little
limbs must be froze. Here, my lamb!"
Saying the last word, she raised her
voice. wake up! What's brought
you here?"
Opening his eyes. Harry gazed into
the sympathetic face looking down on
him. But it was a strange face, and
the sight of it caused him to cling in
silent alarm to his dead mothers
shawl.
what brought you here, my lamb,
eh?" she queried, in a still kinder
voice.
Still no answer.
sI'll put down these things that are
hampering me and give you help up"
she said.
Suiting her actions to her words,
she carefully laid down on the snow
large hamper and two good-sized
brown parcels; then she walked to
where the ground sloped down until
it was almost level with the bottom of
the shallow pit. Leaning forward, she
put her arms round the child's frail
form and tried to draw him away.
Ito Be continued.)