The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-12-08

My folks VIII not let the do that. But
| shall always keep them near me.
Some time | may need advice. and this
! little package will be able to tell me q
! grent many things-a great many sad
things which you will never under
stand, little one" he added gently.
Mildred gazed at him wonderingly.
but ms she saw the skilled fingers draw
the leather over the ball and fasten IL
securely in place her look of wonder
changed 10 one of pleasure.
I'm ever so much Obliged" she said
gratefully. I'D hate awfully to lose
the ball. Grandpa gave 1t to me-" She
watched him a few moments In 81
lence. then added with sudden burst
of confidence. "Grandpa lives at our
house. aud we're going home soon g
1t gets warm"
The young man sewed on for few
moments in silence. At last the bali
WAS finished, and he carefully replaced
the needle IN his pocket.
I'm going home. too" he said grave
~ as he handed her the ball. I'm
waiting for the train now"
And have you got a mamma % she
asked. with sudden interest.
Yes, and she has been waiting for
me "A long. long time. Poor little
mother" the last too low for her TO
hear. AS the little girl was moving
away he called her with sudden ges.
ture.
II wish you would take this" he
said earnestly as he gave her tiny
box of exquisite workmanship. Il
made 1t from a piece of ivory which
was found on battlefield and In
tended to give 1t TO my sister. You
make me think Of her"
"I'ut won't she want itr Mildred
objected.
"She is dead" was the grave an,
swer.
The little girls face grew sympa.
thetic.
I'm sorry" she said gently, land
I'd like 10 have the box ever so much
But must ask mamma"
Mildred ran Off TO her mother. The
young man occasionally looked that
way and saw that the child was tell
ing her mother about him. He knew
that the mother was regarding him
with suspicion. For some time dia-
logue that he could not hear was going
on between mother and child. Mildred
was evidently arguing for her new
friend. and her mother was quietly op-
posing her But the mother stood
firm and ut last the child returned
with disappointed air.
Mamma says | mustn't take gifts
from strangers" she said regretfully,
but I'm ever so much obliged. just
the same"
The sun spots moved slowly across
the grass and disappeared one by one
In the thicker shadows of the trees.
The young man watched them lIstless-
ly. At length clock began to strike
In the distance. and he counted the
strokes carefully. When 1t censed he
once more got up and began to walk
back and forth. But now his head
was erect and his left foot had lost
It's dragging motion and on his face
was n tender. expectant smile.
Mildred had grown tired of her ball
ana was watching the water as It fell
spashing into the broad basin of the
fountain. As the young man approach
ed she looked up timldly.
Are yon going now?" she asked.
Not for another haif hour" he re.
piled. II would rather walt here than
down at the depot" For some mo-
ments he stood gazing at her. Evil
IDENTITY her face brought up some mem
DRY of the past. for he sighed as he
turned away.
A little later Mrs. Bradford was
aroused by excited voices. Several
figures rushed past her. For mo-.
ment she eazed around wonderingly;
then she rose aud followed. Near the
fountain was group of excited peo
pie. In the open space beyond she
recognized Mildred playing with her
ball. What was the matter?
Rut even as she wondered came the
E, wild rush of pair Of frightened
horses into the open space. What fol
lowed happened so quickly that she
| could not roallze ii until II was over.
Mildred WIS placed. sobbipg In her
arms. aud n hushed group closed about
the silent figure on the ground.
ut was the bravest thing l ever
saw" said one man In low voice.
But a sad thing for the poor chap
! md his people, IL he had any," said
another compassionately.
What was 1t? What struck him?"
asked one who came up and Joined tho
crowd
The child was playing near the
| fountain. A runaway team came down
the road, making for the place where
the child was, all unconscious OF the
danger. lie" pointing TO the figure
on the ground. Jumped In, threw her
from under. and the whole thing pass
| ed over him"
well. be went to his last home do
ing heroic act" 5aid another. HE
gave his life for little child"
Two guards from the penitentiary
came across the plaza and Joined the
gronp. \ moment later one of them
gave Il few quick directions to hack
man who was standing near.
II is No 306' Mrs. bradford heard
him say. Poor fellow. And he has
only been out n few hours. l must
telegraph 10 his folks"
Mrs Bradford waited until she saw
them place the motionless figure In the
hack. then walked slowly back to the
| settee
Under the live oak she saw some
thing gisteD. Picking 1t up. she found
| II was the little ivory box.
Here. Mildred she said in low
| YnIce won may Keen Ii !"