Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-01-15

SHINING tuTeHu.
They gave them to me wheI. left
the the place where learned my
trade" be said In a low voice. II
don't suppose | shall ever use thesn.
Ny folks will not let me do that. HUI
! shall always keep them near me.
Some time may need advice. aud this
little package will be able to tell me u
great many thlngs-a great many sad
things which you will never under
stand. little one" he added gently.
Mildred gazed nj him wonderingly.
but as she saw the skilled fingers draw
the leather over The ball and fnsten 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 ball. Grandpa gave Il TO me-" She
watched him few moments IN ~.
fence. then added with sudden burst
Of confidence. GRANDPA lives at our
house. aud we're going home soon s
II gets warm"
The young man sewed on for few
tAthntbAo AZ 1bthtEs 1A t0EA tuE UiAi
was finished. and he carefully replaced
the needle 10 his pocket.
I'm going home. too" he said grave
ly as he handed her the ball. I'm
waiting for the train now"
Aud have you got n mammal she
asked. with sudden interest.
Yes. and she has been waiting for
me long. long time. Poor little
mothcrm the last too low for her 10
hear. As the little girl was moving
away he called her with n sudden ges-
fure.
IL wish you would take this" he
said earnestly as he gave her n tiny
box OF exquisite workmanship. Il
made II from piece of ivory which
was found on battlefield and In
tended to give II TO my sister. You
make me think OF her"
but won't she want ity Mildred
objected.
"She is dead" was the grave an
swer.
The little girls face grew sympa.
thetic.
I'm sorry" she said gently. "and
I'D like 10 have the box ever so much.
But | must ask mamma"
Mildred ran on 10 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 dla-
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 OPP
posing her. But the mother stood
firm. and at last the child returned
with disappointed air.
Mamma says ] mustn't take gifts
from strangers" she said rcgretfully.
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-
~. AT length a clock began TO strike
In the distance. and he counted the
strokes carefully. when II ceased he
once more got up and began to walk
back and forth HUT now his head
was erect and his left foot had lost
its dragging motion and on his face
was tender. expectant smile.
Mildred had grown tired OF her ball
and was watching the water as II fell
spashng 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
down nj the depot" For some mo-
ments he stood gazing at her. Evil
IDENTITY her face brought up some men,
DRY OF the past. for he sighed ms he
turned away.
A little later Mrs. Bradford was
aroused by excited voices. Several
figures rushed past her. For mo-
ment she Razed around wonderIngly
then she rose and followed. Near the
fountain was group Of excited pao-
pie. In the open space beyond she
recognized Mildred playing with her
ball. What was the matter?
Rut even as she wondered came the
wild rush OF pair OF frightened
horses into the open space. What fol-
lowed happened 80 quickly that she
could not realize II until II was over.
Mildred was placed. sobblng. IN her
arms. and hushed group closed about
the silent figure on the ground.
1T was the bravest thing ever
saw" said one man In low voice.
but a sad thing for the poor chap
and his people. II he had any" said
another conipassionately
"What was II: What struck him r
asked one who came up and Joined The
crowd.
"The child was playing near the
forntain. A runaway team came down
the road. making for the place where
the child was. all unconscious OF the
danger. He." pointing 10 the figure
on the ground. Jumped In. threw her
from under. and the whole thing pass
ed over him"
We'll. be went TO his last home do
tne. n hor.la one -nta .u.st.-.