The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-29


Among those who got off the train
at Hillsborough one day was a big
handsome youth of some twenty years
In all the crowd there were none had
ever seen him before. Dressed in the
height of fashion, he was figure so
extraordinary that all eyes observed
him as he made his way to the tavern.
Trove and Polly and Mrs. Vaughn
were in that curious throng on the
platform, where a depot was being
built.
my! What splendid looking fell
low" said Polly as the stranger passed.
Trove had a swift pang of jealousy
that moment. Turning, he saw Riley
Brooke standing near them in a group
Of villagers.
81 tell you, he's thief" the boy
heard him saying, and the words seem
ed to blister as they fell, and ever
after when he thought of them a great
sternness lay like a shadow on his
brow.
81 must CO." said he, calmly turning
to Polly. "Let me help you into the
wagon"
When they were gone he stood mo-
ment thinking. He felt as If he were
friendless and alone.
you're giant today" said friend,
passing him, but Trove made no an
swer. Reused incomprehensibly, his
heavy muscles had become tense, and
he had an odd consciousness Of their
power. The people were scattering,
and he walked slowly down the street
The sun was low, but he thought not
of home or where he should spend the
night. 1t was now the third day after
his arrest. Since noon he had been
looking for Darrell, but the tinker's
door had been locked for days, accord
ing to the carpenter who was at work
below. For an hour Trove walked,
passing up and down before that IA
miliar stairway, in the hope Of seeing
his friend. Daylight was dim when
the tinker stopped by the stairs and
began to feel for his key. The young
man was quickly at the side Of OAR
rel.
"God be praisedv' said the latter
"Here Is the old Dial an the strong an
noble Trove. I heard O. thy trouble,
boy, far off on the post road, an have
made haste to come to thee"
CHAPTER XIV.
~ ROVE had been reciting the his
tory OF his trouble and had
finished with bitter words.
Shame on thee, boy" said
the tinker as Trove sat before him
with tears of anger in his eyes.
"Watch yonder pendulum and say not |
word until it has licked forty times |
For what are thy learning an thy |
mighty thews If they do not bear thee |
up in time O. trouble? Now is thy trial |
come before the Judge of all. Up with J
thy head, boy, an be acquitted O. weak |
ness an fear an evil passion"
eve deserve better of him." said |
Trove, speaking of Riley Brooke. |
When all others hated him we were |
kind to the old sinner, and it has done
him no good"
"Ah, but has it done thee good? !
hand upon the boys arm.
II believe it has," said Trove, with
look of surprise.
1T was thee 1 thought of, boy. had
never much thought o. him."
That moment Trove saw farther into
the depth Of Darrel's heart than ever
before. 1t startled him. Surely here
uyo q N MON fbof ,ao csa1 N n ,,ndacctopd |
ing.
Darrell crossed to his bench and be-
gan to wind the clocks.
"Put away thy unhappiness," said he
gently. "No harm shall come to thee.
TITS only passing cloud"
you're right, and I'm not going to
be fool" said Trove. ut has brought
me one item of good fortune"
can that is?'
II have discovered who Is my ia
ther."
"An' know We where he is now?" the
tinker inquired.
mo; but I know 1t is he to whom
you gave the boots at Christmas time"
Hush, boy" said Darrell in a whis-
per- his hand raised.
He crossed to the bench, returning
quickly and drawing his chair In front
Of the young man.
"Once upon a time," he whispered,
sitting down and touching the palm of
his open hand with, the index finger
Of the other, "a youth held in his hand
q cup, rare an costly, an 1t was full
o. happiness, an he was tempted to
drink. 'Ho, there, me YOUTH said one
who saw him, that Is the happiness of
another But he tasted the cup, an
t was bitter, an he let 1t fall, an the
other lost his great possession. Now,
that bitter taste was ever on the
tongue o. the youth, so that his own
,up had always the flavor o. VICE."
The tinker paused a moment, look
ng sternly into the face Of the young
nan.
IL allure thee, boy, touch not the
up Of another's happiness, or 1t may
mbtter thy tongue. But II thou be
foolish an take 1t up, mind We do not
irop It,"
II shall be CAREFUL shall neither
.aste nor drop It," said Trove.
God bless thee boy! Thou'rt come