The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-21

at Hcraclcas feet. She stopped and touched it with
gentle hand.
"Nay, Master Crane it is friend do not glare
so hercely. See, Gaucon its leg is broken; OH it
is cruel poor bird" SO together they worked until
splint had been bound about the fracture and the
hurt healed.
Time went on; the golden summer days passed, !.
and the air tinged with the chill OF approaching
winter. The big birds usual took their fight to
their southern home.
When the Spring returned it brought no awak-
enng gladness to Heracea To be sure, little =
Phorion waxed strong again; he able to play
out once more the sunshine; the color crept
into his little checks and the sweet curves came
back to his dimpIcd limbs. But his mothers heart
was agonizng 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 81
One day Hcraclea told Gaucon tic fate which was
hanging over them. The boys grief and anger were
piteous to see.
1T cannot be, Mother!" he cried "Our Phoronl
Eucemion is wicked man. Can nothing be donc2" :
Heraclea shook her head at is within the law,
my SON..
Then Glaucon. with look which sat strangely OH
his boyish face, declared that he would offer him
self in Phorion's place; that he would bury ali his
hopes in slavery that the little lad might grow up in
freedom
Did mother have such d son?' thought
Heraclca proudly; but she only said, she put her
about him and looked into his clear, eyes:
Nay, my Glaucon, you your fathers eldest
and the head of the home 1t is as The gods have
wled The luck Las departed from the house
the cranes have not returned
1t warm, spring afternoon week later
and Heraclea sat at her door
a soft stirring and huttering overhead, reused
her for a moment
"The cranes have returned" She said to her
self. 1T is too late What good fortune they
brng?" and she put her face down to her lap and
burst into sobs, A slight touch her shoulder
brought her back to the present anG she raised her
head A great white bird stood by her side.
Master Crane" she cried why, Master Crane!
Did welcome you back, poor bird: Oh, it
is sad house 10 which you come, Master Crane.
The maintained his solemn and unruAled
dignity Heraclea stroked the glossy neck Then
putting his long BILL he dropped something into
her lap, and with sudden whir off to his nest
Heraclea looked in astonishmcnt The pretty red
glass" she exclaimed aloud. "To think OF Master
Cranes bringing gift. Let say that bird :
does not have grateful heart.
A little stone lay in her hand like crimson drop
She fingered it curiously and entering the house
she laid it carefully shelf,
Glaucon came in before long, sad and tired, but
with look OF resolve his young face ~
Mother" he said and hcsated. Mother l
have found work in the market Tomorrow leave
the school"
Heracleas heart rebcIed 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 the dark curls.
Then to divert his attention, she told him OF tic
cranes gift
as that il upon the shelf" cried Gaucon ''Why,
Mother, in the dark it shines like lamp
One could almost by its light" Hcraclca looked
in astonishment; red glow illumined the shadows
in which it lay,
What can it be-" she exclaimed 'Is it the work
of demons?'
GIaucon took the little stone between his thumb
and hnger and carried it to the light 1t was glow
ing like drop of rich red wine
"Old Cleon the goldsmith, is wise in such mat
ters' he said 81 will go and bring him., and before
his mother could demonstrate the boy off and
down the hill
Glaucon forgot his tired limbs he sped
the slope to Athens,
Old Clcon was in his shop. He growled bit at
the long walk the wild goose chase OF boys
notion, but he fond Of the brght-iaced, willing
lad who had more than once done him favor, and
leaving his stall in the OF his apprentice, he
badc Glaucon lead
Heraclea received Clcon distinguished guest.
Chloris brought water for his tired feet and simple
refreshments Of bread and fruit Heraclea put the
cranes gift into his hand. A change came over the
rough face. The eyes under the shaggy brows
lighted up with glance keen that it seemed to
penetrate the very heart OF the little crystal Eos
some time ne said nothing; he tapped and weighed
the tiny stone ard held it up, peering at 1t IN all
lights. Then he turned to Hcraclea
II know not how you came by this, he said,
but there is such in all Athens Ii il Is yours,
you arc favored OF the gods. Never but once have
l handled such ruby"
The sun rose brightly the little house the
apdG qd hoo too
happy to sleep Phorion theirs, and peace and