The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-09-23
III.

It was a little laugh, a tentative
little laugh, only wanting an excuse
to become a cry, that reused her.
""Mummy frightened by the puff
puff! Mummy frighted by the puff
puff"
She raised her haggard eyes, DULY
at first, without intelligence; but on a
sudden a great light Of JOY flashed
into them, a joy which was as sharp
a pain for an instant as the fear had
been. The child was still sitting on
the rail unframed.
The train had gone by on the other
line! But the relief was little more
than momentary. She only recovered
from the first excess of terror in or
der to fall into another agony Of
mind, a horrible agony Of suspense.
The boy would not leave the line, and
the same danger threatened always
while he remained there.
The emergency was developing a
hitherto unsuspected strength of
character in her. There was little
enough she could 10, but what was
possible under the circumstances she
did with admirable presence of mind.
She tried coaxing first Of all-"Dear
Boykins, come to mammal"
He only looked at her.
"See, mummy has hurt her arm.
Come and kiss it and make it we'll"
He looked at the arm, but seeing
it was bleeding, drew the n Of
his mouth down into an expression
of disgust, but moved not.
Mummy will cry if baby won't
come to her." But baby turned his
resolute little head away and pre-
tended not to hear. II know such a
nice story" the poor mother began
again. The little fellow looked out
over the heath intently, but she could
see he had pricked up his ears. ut is
all about a little boy who went for a
walk one day with his father and
mother"
Like me, mummy" the child ex-
claimed, forgetting his pretended pre-
occupation in the interest Of this
great discovery.
"Yes, just like you. And it was a
beautiful, warm day, and the sun was
shining, and the birds sung little
songs to each other, and there were
butterflies-"
"And what did he do?" the boy
demanded, his interest fully aroused
by this time. He was sprawling on
mis- stomach now between the rails,
with his hands folded under his chin
to raise it that he might look up at
his mother, after the manner of the
cherub in the picture known as the
Sistine Madonna.
Il can't tell you what he did If you
stay there. You are too far away"
mo, me not" was the decided re-
ply. Me hear co."
Then she answered in O very low
voice, only allowing him to catch
enough of what she said to tantalize
him. He turned one ear, making a
great attempt to hear at first, but
presently he tired of the effort.
boy know that story" he inter
rupted contemptuously.
"Boy tell it 90"
at was evident she must change
her tactics. Did Boykins see the big
puff-puff?" she began afresh. An
other big puff-puff is coming directly.
Boykins must get up at once, this
very moment. and come to mummy,
else it will kill him dead, and mummy
will have no little boy, and then what
will she do?"
The child looked at her dreamily,
but did not move; and now she saw
something in his eyes that made her
redoublc her efforts to entice him to
her. The young rascal had nestled
himself into an easy position.
The warmth and stiffness, with the
days fatigue, were telling upon him.
4 gentle languor appeared in his eyes,
4 gathering Inconsistencies of all
external things. partial ut first and
intermittent. but presently descend
ing like a dark curtain, yelling the