The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-10-02
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brought the snowshoes from the gar
ret.
They both decided that something
might be done, and they spent an
hour working over them. Then Linus
went out into the storm and expert
mented, and after little practice he
found that he could get over the snow
quite easily on the mended snow
shoes. Now I'm all right" he said
and went to bed with a light heart
AT o'clock in the morning Linus
was awakened by his mother call
ing him. Her teeth chartered and
her voice was faint, and Linus knew
at once that she was having a chill
He sprang out of bed and slipped in
to his clothes, then fetched comfort
ers, and built fire to heat water
Tor the hot-water bottle and for hot
drinks, and after a while his mother
began TO feel better, though she was
very weak
I'm afraid you will have to give
up going to the village" she said
sorrowfully. II could get along nice
ly II | were alone, but | am not able
to take care of Ruthie."
Linus thought hard for a minute.
1T wouldn't hurt Ruthie to be out in
the storm little while, would it?"
he asked.
Il don't know as it would" his
mother answered. "She is used to
being out in all weathers, and is per-
fectly healthy
Then I've got plan. I'll Just
carry her on my back as far as Mrs.
Fuller's, and leave her there. It's
only about a quarter of a mile, and
the Fullers have often offered to take
her."
Il must get the place at Mr..
Gregg's If it's a possible thing" he
thought. IF mother is going to have
these sick spells every little while,
we shall need the money-we shall
need it awfully."
SO Linus brought in several big
armfuls of wood, and made his moth
er some toast, and put the things she
was likely TO want where she could
get them easily. Then he awoke
Ruthie, dressed and fed her, and
wrapped her up we'll
At the last moment he could not
find his mittens. 81 left them on the
stand; | know did" he said. Ruth
lie, have you had 'em?"
Ruthie nodded.
What did you do with them %
| Don't know what Ruthie did with
en-" she answered soberly.
TRY TO think"
"Ruthie can't think" And that
was all he could get out of her.
"I'll have to go without mittens
then" he said. Guess my hands
will be frozen before | get there" +"
He swept off the doorstep and stood
Ruthie on 1t, and when he had put
on the snowshoes he stopped Gown
and she clasped him around the neck.
Then he Strengthened up and clasped
his hands behind him to keep her
from slipping Off.
lie had to go very carefully, for IL
he should fall there was no knowing
how long 1t would take him to get on
his feet again.
He reached Mrs. Fullers without
accidents, explained hastily, left
Ruthie, and then went on. The tenn
perature had fallen, and an icy wind
was blowing the snow about. Linus
pulled his cap down as far as It
would go over his ears, and thrust
his hands as deeply as possible into
his jacket pockets. at won't last
forever" he thought grimly, as he
pushed on against the wind.
One of the snowshoes began to
trouble him, and just before he
reached the village it gave out en-
tirely He took of the other one,
and slung the pair around his neck,
after tying them together He sank
into the snow, now, and it was so
deep that every step was difficult.
He had gone but few rods this
way. with his head bent down, when
he heard some one halo. It was the
village expressman, and he knew Lin
us. He had bob and two horses.
I'm going within half mile of
your place, If l can get there-and !
guess | can," he shouted. "You'd
better ride back with me. You'll
have hard time going home, if you
try to walk"
NO going back for me till my err
rand is DONE" Linus shouted in an
swer. Your track will help a lot"
You'll be sorry" warned the ex-
pressman. as he started his horses.
Linus plowed his slow way through
the almost unbroken snow of the vii
lage streets, and the town clock was
striking eight as he stepped inside
the store.
Mr.. GREGG, who was there alone,
looked up in surprise.
Where did you snow do I'm frem?"
he asked. Then, "Why, you're Mrs.
Atyell's boy, from over on the old
turnpike! You don't means to say