Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-22
No. 25.
pulled his foreiock bashfully, then
stood still, uncertain whether to ad-


vance or retreat Margaret, seeing his
confusion, beckoned him to approach.
what IS thine errand, good lad?"
"'Tis thy trinket, Mistress Maryland,
that my gran'ther, Adam Browdie, the
goldsmith, hath mended for thee, an.
with your leave, mistress"-timidly Civ
ing her the parcel-"he did instruct me
TO say that he would ha' mended 1t be-
fore had 1t not been for the inconven-
ience Of sprain."
La Fabienne, who had unfastened
the wrapping, was now examining the
workmanship critically.
" IT'S finely wrought and jointed to-
gether skillfully, Margaret" he said.
Here, lad" throwing Christopher a
gold piece; ''here's a coin for thy grand
fathers trouble"
The boy, much pleased, caught the
gold piece, doffed his cap and walked
away. Just then a flash Of lightning
streaked the sky that by now was
thickly covered with black clouds, fol-
lowed by a low, rumbling sound Of
thunder, causing the boy to pause and
look about him doubtfully.
Margaret, who had risen, called to
him to remain; to so back and wait
in the kitchen with the maids until the
storm was over, but Christopher shook
his head and, muttering that the gold
smith would be angry if he delayed,
Pan down to the turnstile, sprang over
1t and, hurriedly deciding that the path
through the forest would be the quick
est way home, plunged into the thicket.
Hardly was he under the shelter of
the trees when a pattering sound was
heard, and the rain beat down in great
drops. Then the wind rose in wild
fury, the tall trees bent and swayed,
tussling with its rough strength, and
the grass and vines were swept down
even with the earth.
Christopher, holding his jacket close
about him, with his cap in his hand,
walked on quickly, inwardly congrat-
ulating himself upon the fact that he
had been wise enough to seek the shell
tered path through the woods instead
Of the open roadway that was unpro-
tected by high trees. Little, sharp
flashes of lightning appeared almost
constantly, and the thunder was con-
slant, low, threatening, ominous. In
nocent OF his danger and not under
standing the harsh, growing sounds
| of warning from the heavens, Christie
| pher proceeded op~ais way. Now the
| clouds had grown so thick and black
| that the forest was almost as dark as
night and the rain fell in binding tor
rents. Soon sharp flash of lightning
ram zigzag through the sky, then a
| clap of thunder louder than the report
Of a cannon resounded from end to end
OF the village.
| Christopher gave a wild scream Of
terror and stood still, uncertain wheth-
er to advance or go back. Although
the forest was familiar playground to
him, he appeared to lose his way and
staggered on bllndly until, a long, vivid
fash Of lightning Illuminating his path,
he found his bearings, and. remember
ing the cave ON the other side Of the
precipice now near at hand, he resolv-
ed to seek safety and shelter there.
| With the wind and rain beating him
backward, he climbed the steep ascent,
| clinging with his hands and feet to the
roots and bushes In his way until he
reached the top, where was a precipice.
with water rushing In wild turmoil
| fifty feet beneath. Now the lightning
was so near it seemed to be playing
through the forest in long flashes Of
| brilliant light, and the dark clouds al
| most touched the tops of the trees.
Suddenly, with greater intensity, the
wind rushed shrllly over the noun
tain.
The boy, pale with terror, on the edge
of the precipice, wound his arms about
the trunk Of tall oak tree, clinging to
1t for support and protection. He dared
not move another step, and all thought
of reaching the cave was abandoned.
Another binding fash, followed by two
more in quick succession! The poor
young lad, alone on this height In the
midst of the awful disturbance OF the
elements, frantic with terror, sent forth
scream after scream that the wind and
rain defied human ears to hear above
| their bolsterous noise and din. Then
the clouds opened, showing light like
the blast from a furnace, and-oh,
Coda peal Of thunder SO loud that
the village people with prayers on their
lips fell on their knees, raising their
white faces to heaven. :.
The tall oak tree was struck and rent
asunder; flames shot up, were put out
by the heavy riffs of rain, and clouds
| of steaming smoke filled the forest The
| large tree staggered, then fell with
sharp noise Of cracking branches that
drowned the sickening sound Of the
dull thud of Christopher's body rs 1t
fell lifeless from the edge OF the preci-
pice into the swirling, tumbling rapids
of the angry waters below. Nor was
| heard the clanking ring Of the gold
coin as it fell, striking against the rocks
with a sharp, metallic sound, from bis
stiffening fingers.