The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07

He drank a deep draught of raw liquor and tried to extinguish the fire His im- petuous and furious movements upset the stove. He left it where 1t lay with the embers scattered on the floor and turned to flee by a rear way.
 As soon as he stepped out he was im- mersed in such blackness of fog and dark that even he became bewildered. He made few steps, changed his direction and stood still. 'Tf could only hear them at the gate again." muttered he. Come, make a noise so I will know where I amr'
 He stretched his arms before him and moved slowly along. "A good, black devils night this to have my dear Brass herep said he. 'If I could have that wish, it might, for all I care, never be day againr'
 As the words passed his lips he stag gered and fell-and next moment was fighting with the cold, dark water.
 As it bubbled and rushed into his ears he heard a loud knocking at the gate and he realized in a flash that they were close at hand but could make no effort to save him for he himself had barred them out.
 He answered their knocking with a fierce yell for help. Fires stunned his eyes, the strong tide filled his throat and bore him down and spun llin1 around and tossed him up until it flung its ugly burden on a nearby marsh.
 4t,1 tn lie lair that when it famed up, having been set afire by the embers from the stove, the glare shone on his face and played over the twisted features in a horrid mockery of death--such mockery as he himself had delighted in when he was alive.
 Of course Kit was liberated amid the acclamations of not only the people but the judges and jury that had sentenced him. The great human machinery of jus tice that had ground him so calmly and nearly succeeded so perfectly in making felon of him, reversed itself with majesty that was too sublime for a sense of shame, and kindly pardoned him for a crime he had not committed.
 However, if justice itself felt no qualms, there were some men in government who did. They acted so well that Kit was put into position that led him into mod est comfort in after years, so that the cheerful fellow declared that his misfor- tune had been bit of good luck after all.
 Providence was also desirous of,reward- ing MT Swiveler for his part in the drama With the somewhat mysterious complication of detail for which Provi- dence is noted, it caused the demise of an aunt who left a will that gave the Per petual Grand Master of the Glorious Apollos an annuity of e150. The Per petual Grand Masters first act was to send the Marchioness to school, and though it pinched him sharply for some half dozen years to pay for her board, tuition and clothing, he did it nobly. For this Providence rewarded him once more by giving him an excellent wife when the Marchioness was graduated at last.
 Great as was Kits joy at his fibera- tion, it was nothing to the joy that came to him when MT. Garland and MT. Trent told him that they had succeeded at last in tracing Little Nell and her grandfather. The impetuous MT Trent bundled him into a chaise and they set off at the top speed of fast horses, for the little village where the two had found haven.
 People had learned to love her there. in that quiet place that seemed to be at one with the quiet child. She was not so strong as she had been, and she loved best to spend long hours alone among the graves of the little church yard that surrounded the church and cottage where they dwelled. She cleared the grasses and weeds away from the old mounds with busy, loving hands, and when the village people saw her thus engaged they spoke softly as they passed her, as if they felt the child to be set apart in. some strange way from them all.
 Even the rough schoolboys cared for her and would turn out of their way to ask for her at the cottage door on the days when she lay on her couch too weary to go out. All the young chill dren loved her and followed her. No body, old or young ever passed her without a kindly greeting.
 One of the children--her favorite- clasped his little arms passionately around her neck one day and cried: "No, mo- not yet, not yet!'
 She looked at him wonderingly and asked him what he meant
 "They say" sobbed the little boy, s'that you will be an angel before the birds sing again. But you won't, dear Nell, you won't, will you? Don't leave us. dear. dear Neilr'
 Little Nell dropped her head and put