The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-08-27

IL
gentle hand
Nay, Master Crane, it Is a friend do not glare
so hcrcely. See Glauoon its leg is broken; OH ID
is cruel. poor bird, So together they worked until
splint had been bound about the fracture and the
hurt soon healed.
Time went on the golden summer days passed
and the air tngcd with the chill OF approaching
winter. The big birds as usual took their flight to
their southern home
When the Spring returned it brought no awalc-
ening gladncss to Hcraclca To be sure. little
Phorion waxcd strong again; he was able to play
out once moro in the sunshine; the color crcpt
into his wan little checks and the sweet curves came
back to his dmplcd limbs. But his mothers heart
was agonzing over the thought which had grown
to dreadful certainty. She no longer could hide
the truth from herself There was no possibility of
her paying anything toward the debt
One day Heraclea told Glaucou the fate which was
hanging them The boys grief and anger were
piteous to see.
1T cannot be, Mothery he cried Our Phorioni
Euclcmion is wicked Can nothing be done"
Hcraclea shook her head 1T is within the law,
my SON"
Then Glaucon, with a look which sat strangely on
his boysh face, declared that he would offer him
self in Phoron's place; that he would bury all his
hopes in slavery that the little lad might grow up in
freedom.
Did mother have such son7" thought
Heraclea proudly; but she only said. she put her
about him and looked into his clear, true eyes:
Nay. my Glaucon. you your fathers eldest
and the head OF the home 1t is the gods have
willed. The luck las departed from the house;
the cranes have not returned to us.
1t was a warm. spring afternoon week later.
and Hcraclea sat more at her door.
a soft stirring and Auttering overhead, reused
her for 4
"The cranes have returned she said to her
self ct is too late What good fortune can they
bring?" and she put her face down to her lap and
burst into sobs. slight touch her shoulder
brought her back to the present and she raised her
head. a great white bird stood by her side.
Master Cranel" she cried. why, Master Cranel
Did no one welcome you back poor bird? Oh 1t
is sad house to which you come, Master Crane
The crane maintained his solemn and unruiled
dignity as Heraclea strokcd the glossy neck Then,
putting out his long bill, he dropped something into
her lap. and with sudden whir of to his nest.
Heraclea looked in astonishmcnt The pretty red
glass; she exclaimed aloud TO think oil Master
Cranes bringing gift Let no one say that bird
does not have grateful heart"
A little stone lay in her hand like crimson drop,
She fingered it curiouSy, and entering the house
she laid it carefully shelf
Glaucon came in before long sad and tired. but
with look of resolve on his young face.
Mother" he said and hcsitated. Mother.
the school"
Heraclca's heart rebclled within her, but she
said nothing She would not make the sacrifice
harder for her good boy, So she only kissed his
cheek and laid her hand softly on the dark curls.
Then to divert his attention. She told him OF the
cranes gilt.
as that it upon the shelf" cried Glaucon why,
Mother in the dark 1t shines like lamp.
One could almost by its light" Heracea looked
in astonishmcnt; rcd glow ilumincd the shadows
in which 1t lay.
What can it be?" she exclaimed rs it the work
OF demons'"
Glaucon took the little between his thumb
and finger and carried it to the light 1t was glow
ing like drop OF rich rcd wine.
"Old Clcon the goldsmith. is wise in such mat
ters," he said 81 will go and bring him. and before
his mother could demonstrate the boy was off and
down the hill.
Gaucon forgot his tired limbs as he sped over
the slope to Athens
Old CIeon was in his shop Hc growled bit at
the long walk the wild goose chase OF boys
notion. but he was fond OF the bright-faced, willing
lad who had more than done him favor, and.
leaving his stall IN the care OF his apprentice, ho
badc Glaucon lead on.
Heraclea received Clcon as distinguished guest.
Chloris brought water for his tired feet and simple
refreshments OF bread and fruit. Hcraclea put the
cranes gift into his hand. change came over tho
rough face. Ihc eyes under the shaggy Ofo"s
lighted up with a glance keen that 1t seemed to
penetrate the very heart of the little crystal For
some time he said nothing; he tapped and weighed
the tiny and held it up, peerng at 1t IN all
lights Then he turned to Heraelea:
"I know not how you by this, he said'
but there is such in all athens Ii 1t is yours.
you arc favored of the gods, Never but once nave
handled such ruby
The sun rose brightly on the little house tho
next morning Heraclca and Glaucon had been too
happy TO sleep. Phorion theirs. and peace and
prosperity and Glaucons future were secure 1t was
almost too much JOY to come at once; All. the
blessed crane!
m - V1o~o ~ ~@nNn - 49,