Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1910-02-25

with" be said quietly, "See here"
Taking small package from bis pock,
ct, be opened It aud showed her sew.
eral curious needles and some coarse,
shining thread.
"They gave them TO me when left
the-the place where karaed my
trade" be said IA low voice. Il
don't suppose shalt ever use them,
Ny folks viii not let me do that, But
shall always keep them near me.
Some time may nee1l advice, and this
little package will be able 10 tell me
great many things-a great many sad
things which you will never under.
stand. little one" he added gently.
| Mildred gazed at him wondertngly,
but as she saw the skilled dugers draw
the leather over the ball and fasten II
securely In place her look OF wonder
changed to one OF pleasure.
I'm ever so much Obliged" she said
gratefully. I'D hate awfully to lose
the bali Grandps gave Il to me- She
watched him few moments In 81.
leuce, then added with q sudden burst
Of confidence. 'tirandpa lives at our
house. aud we're going home soon s
il 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
ly as he handed her the bail. 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 long. long time. i'oor little
motherr' the hast too low for her TO
hear. As the little girl was moving
away be called her With sudden ges.
ture.
II wish you would take this" he
said earnestly as be gave her tiny
box of exquisite workmanship. II
made II from piece OF ivory which
was found on battlefield aud in
tended to give 1t TO my sister. You
make me think of her."
"But won't she want itT' Mildred
objected.
"She is Dead" was the grave an
swer.
The little girls face grew sympa
thetic.
I'm sorry" she said gently. "and
Id like 10 have the box ever so much
| But must ask mamma"
Mildred ran of to her mother. The
Houng man occasionally looked that
way and saw that the child was tell
ng her mother about him. He knew
hat the mother was regarding him
With suspicion. For some time dia-
"gue that he could not hear was going
IN between mother and child. Mildred
was evidently arguing for her new
| friend. and her mother was quietly op-
posing her. But the mother stood
irm. and Mt last the child returned
with disappointed air.
Mamma says | mustn't take gifts
| rocl strangers" she said regretfully,
but I'm ever so much obliged, just
he same
| The sun spots moved slowly across
he grass aud disappeared one by one
| the thicker shadows of the trees.
The young man watched them iistless-
3. At length a clock began TO strike
| the distance, and he counted the
trokes carefully. When II ceased he
pnce more got up and began 10 walk
oack and forth. But now his head
was erect and his left foot had lost
its dragging motion and on his face
was a tender. expectant smile.
Mildred had grown tired of her ball
and was watching the water as 1t fell
splashing into the broad basin Of the
fountain. As the young man approach
ed she looked up timidly.
Are you going now:" she asked.
Not for another half hour" he re-
Piled Il would rather wait here than
lown at the depot" For some mo.
nents he stOod gazing at her. Egi,
IenlIy her face brought up some mem
try Of the past. for he sighed as be
urned away.
| s n uttlt Illft MIS-. tbduiotu hds
lroused by excited voices. Seyera
igures rushed past her For a mo
nent she gazed around wonderingly
hen she rose aud followed Near the
fountain was a group of excited peo
pie. ID the open space beyond she
recognized Mildred playing with hel
ball. What was the matter?
Put even as she wondered came the
wild rush of pair of frightened
horses into The open space. What fol
lowed happened so quickly that she
could not realize it until 1t was over
Mildred was placed, sobbing. in her
arms. and husbed group CLOSED about
he silent figure on the ground.
1T WAS the bravest thing | ever
aw." said one man In low voice.
but A sad thing for the poor cbaE
and his people. If he had any" saic
another compassionately.