Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-05-13
The Master


under the infinite space of-stars and
sky; out where the cool night winds
and drifting mists from the river
soothed the ache in his heart and cool.
ed the burning fever Of his brow. One
radiant star, like white winged
guardian angel. hung low over the
cottage, and the man wondered II the
light Of the little life slowly ebbing
away on its tiny cot upstairs would go
out with the star
All day she had lain there like a
broken lily, or perhaps a wounded
dove, quietly waiting for the coming
Of the white-winged messenger that
men called Death. Only the services
Of a skilled physician from the city
could save her, and the man had not
the means to se1& for him.
Down the road he went, alone un-
der the stars; alone with his bitter
thoughts. Unconsciously he had wan
dered into the grounds Of his ealthy
neighbor. Just where a bed OF lilies
sprayed with fairy mist from a foun-
tain in the centre, lifted their beautiful
queenly heads to the gentle caress OF
the night wind. When the moon shone
on the bed OF creamy, gold fecksd
lilies, with the spray resting on their
satin petals like diamonds, II became
pool of white fire under the glistsn-
ing streams from the fountain; but
| tonight there was no moon, and the
bed was like a patch of driven snow,
white and soft as the down from the
throat OF a swan.
He would gather few Of the slsn-
der. beautiful blossoms and bring
them home to his own broken lily;
surely the master of the house would
not grudge them to a dying child.
Somehow the burden OF his woe seem
ed lightened as he gathered the lilies.
and his step more firm and quick as
he prepared to leave the grounds.
A step somewhere within the shrub.
berry made his heart beat little quick-
er, for he would not care to be found
robbing his neighbor of his flowers
He crouched dose to the wall and
listened but the step was not reneat.
ed and he prepared to leave. In pass.
ing one OF the windows he half I'm
consciously noticed that II was slsgit-
ly open, and almost instantly Wild
| plan flashed into his brain. Why hot.
he questioned himself savagely? In
there, could he once gain admittance
and work cautiously. he might find
something gold, perhaps that would
save the life o. his child
Very cautiously he slid his flugeI
along the sill and pushed the WINDOW
open a little wider. That step again
on the gravel walk. Then a voice,
mufhed, but low and musical, spo; o.;
Good evening, stranger; what's your
errand to-nlght?"
For an instant the heart OF the man
in the ragged coat stood still, but
quickly he collected his scattered wits
He understood 1t all now. This stran.
ger was evidently a professional b i"g-
lar, who had first opened the winGpw
but had been frightened away by the
others presence in the grounds. Then
he laughed insolently. Same as your
own, l reckon. he said finally. "i'ats
isn't In my line, but necessity kno vs.
no law. Sec that house down the
road?" The other nodded. That's
mine: baby dying; nothing TO ~ ge
her, 80 I'm going to try my luck in
here" pointing to the open vino "
Understand, fEiend2"
yes" the stranger answered
hoarsely. 81 had a little girl or 3;
her name was Mary. She's dead
The other put out his hand in quick
sympathy and the two men elias! ID
hands In the darkness,
The man in the ragged coat crou' h
cd against the wall and listened. 1as
light In the cottage down the road was
burning brightly a sign that she e,il
lived. A faint hope stirred in his
heart, bat so faint that he dared moi
give It utteranee The man inside
was returning. Its all right" hS
whispered, crushing some gold ono
bills into the others hand. Save thC
kiddie's life If you can"
"God bless YOU" the man returned
sob struggling in his throat. "Ilel
name is Mary. too. We call her Queer
Mary"
The other bowed his head. and hli
face, almost covered with his hat
worked convulsiYely. Then he saiG {
I trifie sternly TO the man in the ragged
coat: you go first. and will follow
when all is clear. Good night Ant
tell Mary when she IS better that {
man who once had a little girl by ths
same name sends her his blessing
Goodnight
The other sped down the road. hii
child's salvation elasred tightly In hi
hand. Some time when she was bet
ter he would go to the owner OF Tho
house and tell him his story; then. A'
would work until every cent was paid
back 10 him. Surely he would under
stand.
The man IN the heavy cloak waiteC
until the other had left the grounds
then he returned to the open window
and entered the house again. Throw
ing aside his cloak and hat he stool
revealed the master OF the house
There was a strange smile on HIS lips
It was certainly n novel adventure Il
be taken for a burglar on ones owl
premises. Long he stood by the win
dow watching the light In the cottage
down the road. Then he reverentll
bowed his head. God save Queer
Mary" he said softly.-GENEVIEVE
MARIE BOICB.