Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-17

By afternoon, he had forgotten all his wrath,
and prepared to haul in his nets which seem
ed to be especially heavy. But, to his utter
amazement, the stout cord gave way IN all
directions, the fish, released from their PRISON,
swan leetly away and Kaln held in his hands
his broken nets, well-nigh emptied OF their
spoils.
Lost in wonder, he examined them,. and saw
that they had been cut at regular intervals,
so that the heavy weight of the fish had
snapped the remaining cords when he had at
tempted to drag them in.
At first, he was stupefed with bewilderment,
and then gradually the meaning OF 1t dawned
on his mind. Some one had purposely ruined
his nets, and his days labor was fol. nauGht
Kalin's brow grew black as night, and his lips
closed ominousy.
IF thought it was he" he muttered to
himself
And at that instant, low, ringing laugh
echoed in his ear. Right at his elbow rocked
Jaspers boat, and Jasper himself, with an
amused smile, was watching his discomfiture
Where are all your fish, Kalin?' he called,
mockingly.. "And why don't you mend your
rets?"
Kalin turned fercely, but his adversary was
too far off to be reached, and seemed to thor
oughly enjoy the situation. White with wrath,
and trembling with ungovernable passion, all
the blood seemed to rush madly into Nalln
head, and thousand tiny voices whispered
in his ear, "The wishing stone! Where is
the wishing stone"
Hardly conscious of what he did, he grasped
the pebble, which lay red as blood within
his hand.
sea, he gasped.
AAd Instantly, before his dizzy eyes, Jas
per's skiff reeled, trembled, and sank rapidly
into the dark waters. Like flash, he beheld
the white arms of the sea fairies, as they
seized the boat and dragged it under. Then
all was quiet over the sullen ocean. The first
use that Kalin had made of the wishing stone
IN rnaf IunQ
For an instant he stood horror-stricken at
his own deed and gazing blankly at the magic
pebble which had wrought so terrible harm.
| 1t was black now as night, and, with keen
waves, which closed over it forever. Then.
| throwing off his jacket, he waited to see JAS
! per rise for the first time, and plunged into
| the ocean after him.
| A few strokes, and the boys were clinging
together fighting for their lives amid the
lonely waters, Jasper wellnigh exhausted, but
Kalin bearing him up, and striving to regain
his boat Strong and supple, fearless and
bred to dangers, the lads swan brayely on,
until hanging rope enabled kalin to climb in
to his little vessel, and drag Jasper after him.
eve are all right now" he cried.
And Jasper opened his dark eyes, with
strange look of grateful love lingering in their
"You have saved my life" he whispered,
| ''and it was / who cut your nets''
! Kalin flushed crimson.
| And | would have drowned you," he said,
brokeny "and your boat is gone. But you
shall use mine until we can save enough to
buy another Everything | have shall be
| yours"
Jasper made no answer, but from that time
forth the two lads worked together all day
long, sharing their mutual earnings and their
mutual home.
IT have now two sons instead of one" said
jeanette, proudly, when the orphan Jasper
sat at her humble board beside her own boy.
Al K.I..s
"At least, the wishing stone has given me a
brother and a friend"