Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-12

OF the bov; our father won't take any
stock in what Dick Stoddard says"
A sob shook the slight figure Of Rob, as
ne ne 1fted his white face, and his voice was
filled with frightened tremor. as he replied:
I'm In afraid he will. He always said was
"Well, what do you intend to do--wait
here, as that old rascal ordered your asked
Rocky.
No; I'm going home" answered Rob.
Let see; it's fifteen or eighteen miles
to Mr., Stoddard's house, and three or four
from on there to, where your father lives, isn't
it p Rocky asked.
TnYes. about that" replied Rob, dejectedly.
Rocky looked thoughtfuly out into the fall
1--WE can hardly make that on foot this af-
ternnoon, he said, after slight pause. "The
walking is horrible"
Rob Archer left his seat by the fire.
I'm going to start. anyway" he said. II
don't care much if die on the road"
I'm with YOU, said Rocky.
And together they left the tavern.
The storm had abated somewhat, and the
air was growing colder. but the thick home
spun clothing of the man and the boy kept
them warm.
They trudged along, mile after mile, Rocky
striving to tighten the spirits of his com.
panion, though with poor success.
Late IN the afternoon they stopped at the
door OF house, and Rocky asked for some
thing to eat
Il haven't any money to pay for it." said
Rocky, frankly, to the woman who answered
his summons, while Rob shrank back.
piled.
The woman watched them as they devoured
the food placed before them
BE ye goin' out O the woods?" she asked,
at length
Rocky replied in the affirmative, adding:
How far is it to Mr.. Stoddard's? Can
you tell me?"
"a little better'n five miles," answered the
woman. Wuz ye worSin' fer him?'
Yes" said Rocky. why do you askw
"Oh, nothin'; only my mans a-workin' fer
What might his name be, please?" said
Mr. Mountain, as he drew back from the
table.
"McGregor-WiIliam MeGregor though
most everybody calls him Bill" she replied.
Rocky gave a low whistle, while Rob rose
hastily, his limbs trembling beneath him,
scared look in his eyes.
'Do We know him!o questioned the woman,
guests
Eyes, indeed; know him very WE'LL" said
Rocky, recovering from his momentary en-
barrassment. Il am very much obliged for
viii remunerate YOU
He bowed deferentialIy and followed Rob,
who had hurried out of doors.
"Only to think he said, that we should
have eaten at the table of that scoundrell"
| 1t was growing quite dark and the air was
becoming intensely cold. Above them stars
glittered with an icy radiance, for the clouds
had passed away, and the sky was clear. Be
meath their feet the loose snow crunched as
they walked YEARLY onward. There had been
scarcely any travel during the day, and the
road was almost unbroken.
This is getting somewhat monotonous,"
said Rocky, at length, as they plodded on
ward. Hadn't We, better stop at the next
house we come to!"
to the settlement where Mr. Stoddard lives"
replied Rob, "This road turns off from the
main road near his house"
They walked along with staggering gait,
few Words The road led through a long
stretch of woodland, but by-and-by the bark
ing of a dog was heard in the distance. They
struggled on. and at last came to where the
| road diverged into the more. travelled high
way. Here they paused a. moment. The
moon had risen, and cleaned like a piece of
polished silver in the blue-black sky,
"Shall you try to go home topight?o asked
Rocky, shiyering little, now that the excr-
else of walking bad ceased;
The face of Rob looked paler than ever
in the moonlight, as he turned it toward his
sTm afraid t. g, go home" he said. What
win father sayT
"Well, come with me, them" replied
Rocky. 'GThere's- lots of room, out in the
world, and you'll find great deal to inter
est you Were you ever in cityT
mo. lived in village once. That is
the biggest place ! ever saw"
Rocky stamped his feet.
'It's COMPOUNDED cold" he said wen
freeze if we stand here. Make up your mind
quick I'll do the best l can for you"
For moment Rob was undecided. Then
| his decision was made.
81 can't 60. home" he said. huskily. IN
! Come on, then" said Rocky, cheerfuly,
grasping the boy by the arm to assist his
tagging footsteps. ITS most four miles to
the village. if | remember rightly, and we've
got to brace up to get there"
But the boys strength had nearly all de-
parted. The reaction following his decision
not to return home had deprived him of
feet YEARLY along. They passed from the
cleared lands into the woods, and there the
boy became utterly exhausted. He hung al