The Washington herald., 1907-02-17


well. It's just this, though hate to
say it. It's a sure thing that they've gone
a long distance. an if they've hit one OF
the holows we're likely to find EN- alive
II we get there pretty soon but If they
amt in a hollow they'll be-theyll be-
They'll be dead when we do fiEd them
Take us TO the hills. Mr. Harrison"
The man, lantern IN hand, strobe on
and with him were Mr.. GTaysOn and Mr.
Plummer. Hobart was at the candidate S
elbow Twilight was at hand and the
darkness was increasing. although the
snow was thinning. Hobart. peering out
on the plain. saw only the swells of snow
rising and falling like ii white sea, and
overhead the sky of sullen clouds. He
marked the agony on the faces of the
candidate and the King" and his own
heart was heavy. There was no thrill
over mystery now: the lost were toe
dear to him.
It's night" said Mr. Plummer In his
heart was the fear that the tggo, over
powered, had fallen down and slowly
frozen 10 death under the snow, but he
did not dare to whisper it to others.
1t was heavy work going through the
drifts and keeping the right way over
plain that had the similarity of the
sea, but the men did not falter. Jimmy
Grayson was always looking into the
darkness, striving to see the darker line
or blur that would mark the hills. but
he asked no questions. The snow ceased
and after "a while low. black slopes ap-
peared against the dusky horizon.
THE hills" said the candidate. and
the Grafton man nodded. They increased
their pace until they were almost nun
ming. Neither Mr.. Grayson nor Mr. Plum
mer knew IT, but the Grafton man had
little hope; he had merely suggested the
place as a last chance
II took them much longer than they
thought or hoped 10 reach the hills. but
when they came to them they began a
rapid search. The king" and the can
didate were stiH together. and the for
mer had taken lantern from one Of the
men. They had been looking among the
hills for about quarter of an hour, and
they drew somewhat away from the
others. The king raised his lantern
at intervals and threw ribbons OF light
along the white slopes. They came to a
hill ii little higher than the rest. and he
raised the lantern again. It was not a
white reflection that came, but some
thing misty and brown
Dead leayes,' cried the King. Its
"a cave or a hollow"
lie raised the lantern higher. and the
light shOne directly In AZ the opening,
II shone. too, upon Sylvia's face as she
lay asleep in Harley's arms.
Babes iH the wood muttered Hobart
who had come up behind them
The King paused "a moment The pic
ture appealed TO him, too, and he saw
then in Harley only the rescuer Of Ibis
little girl His heart yearned over Hdr-
ley also. Then he uttered a joyous shout
dropped his lantern, and seized Sylvia
Daddy, she said, awakening and put
ting her arms around his neck, I've
come back"
God bless you. my child. my daugh-
ter" he said
To Harley it was all a dream; there
was something the matter with him
there was a sort Of dun. unreal feeling
and these men that he knew seemed %
be very far away. Nor did he under
stand why they pulled him out so roughly
rubbed snow on his face and ears, and
chafcd his hands violently. Afterward he
remembered hearing dimly some one say.
Were just in time: he was freezing
~ DEATH and then ne wished they would
be gentlcr. Fiery stuff was poured down
bis throat. and he coughed and strug-
gled, but they had no mercy. Then they
committed the browning outrage-they
took him by the arms. held him up and
made him run back and forth in the
snow. After that the pain came; there
were strong needle pricks all through him.
and he heard some one say in a foolish
tone of satisfaction. Hes coming around
all rightt Then they poured more fiery
stuff down his throat
After while the needle pains ceased.
and Harley understood that they had
saved him from freezing 10 death He
thought al once Of Sylvia; there she stood
wrapped from chin TO heel in a great fur
coat and she smiled ut him.
1t was "a slow but happy walk back 10
Grafton. The kings" joyful shout had
been repeated and passed on TO all the
searchers. and ali the lanterns had been
whirled aIcft in rejoicing signal Mes
sengers We're already hurrying on To
Grafton with the news.
Harley walked by the side Of Mir. Gray
son, who had given his hand one strong
clasp and who had said; Harley, il was
Ike finding a brother" Sylvia leaned on
Sir. Plummer's arm because the whole o.
her strength had not yet come back.
Daddy she whispered, where did YOU
come from? We've been waiting for you
a long time"
Something up there must have called
me" he replied. reverently. pointing 70
the heavens, in which the new stars
twinkled sylvia" be continued, I'm
not a fool any more Forgive your old
daddy and you can love the boy"
Not unless you are really, truly, and
wholly willing, daddy"
Really, truly, and wholly. my little
girl"
Now you must tell him so. daddy
III tell him so"
They were startled by Sylvia suddenly
stopping, throwing her arms around Mr..
Plummer's neck and kissing him But
they ascribed it to the hysteria natural
in q woman under such circumstances.
The world was stu unreal to Harley.
Now and then the people with whom he
was walking seemed very far away,
merely vague black shadows on the white
plain Of snow: all but Sylvia. who smiled
again at him, and who he thought had
drawn him back 10 earth
AS they approached the town the
King" gave Sylvia to her uncle and
fell back a little, until he was by the
side of Harley.
Lad, he SAID, and he used the word
because he felt that Harley was very
much younger than ne, you've won her
and she's yours; I'll give her to you.
I've played the part OF father to her,
and it's what I ought to keep on play
ing. / see IL now. l guess 1 keep daugh-
ter and gain SON.
Harley looked squarely into his eyes
the world was real now-and he saw the
utmost sincerity there.
Mr.. Plummer." he said, you are one
OF Gods noblemen."
The Kings" hand and Harley's met IN
a strong and true grip. and those who
noticed thought it was another incident
due wholly to the stress of the night and
the storm.
When they reached the town Mrs Gray
son took Sylvia in her arms and the
others left her. Jimmy Gr2yson was TO