The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-23

at Heraclea's feet. She stooped and touched il with
a gentle hand.
NAY. Master Crane, it is a friend; do not glare
SO fercely. See, Glaucon, its leg is broken; oh. il
is cruel, poor bird" So together they worked until
a splint had been bound about the fracture and the
hurt was soon healed.
Time went on; the golden summer DAYS passed
and the air was tinged with the chill of approaching
winter. The big birds as usual took their fight ia
their southern home. .
When the Spring returned it brought no awak.
ening %gladness to Heraclea. To be sure, little
Phorion waxed strong again; he was able to play
out once more in the warm sunshine; the color crept
into his wan little cheeks and the sweet curves came
back to his dimpled limbs. But his mothers heart
was agonizing over the thought which had grown
to a 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 Glaucon the fate which was
hanging over them. The boys grief and anger were
piteous to see.
1T cannot be, Mother!' he cried. "Our Phorion!
Euclemion is a wicked man. Can nothing be done?"
Heraclea shook her head. "It is within the law.
my son."
Then Glaucon. with a look which sat strangely on
his boyish face. declared that he would offer him
self in Phorion's place; that he would bury all his
hopes in slavery that the little lad might grow I'D in
freedom.
Did ever mother have such a son." thought
Heraclea proudly; but she only said, as she put her
arms about him and looked into his clear. true eyes:
Nay, my Glaucon, you are your fathers eldest
son and the head of the home. 1t is as the gods have
willed. The luck las departed from the house; even
the cranes have not returned to US"
1t was a warm, spring afternoon a week later.
and Heraclea sat once more at her door.
A soft stirring and f%uttering overhead, reused
her for a moment.
THE cranes have returned" she said to her
self. 1T is too late. What good fortune can they
bring:' and she put her face down to her lap and
burst into sobs. A slight touch on 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 Cranei
Did no one welcome you back. poor bird? Oh, it
is a sad house to which you come, Master Crane"
The crane maintained his solemn and unrufAed
dignity as Heraclea stroked the glossy neck. Then.
putting out his long bill, he dropped something into
her lap, and with a sudden whir was off to his nest.
Heraclea looked in establishment. THE pretty red
glass;" she exclaimed aloud. ITO think of Master
Cranes bringing a gift. Let no one say that a bird
does not have a grateful heart"
A little stone lay in her hand like a crimson drop.
She fingered it curiously, and entering the house
she laid it carefully on a shelf.
Glaucon came in before long. sad and tired, but
with a look Of resolve on his young face.
Mother" he said and hesitated. Mother, I
have found work in the market. Tomorrow I leave
the school,"
Heraclea's heart rebelled 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 gift.
"1s that it upon the shelf" cried Glaucon. "Why.
Mother, in the dark corner it shines like a lamp.
One could almost see by its light" Heraclea looked
in establishment; a red glow illumined the shadows
in which it lay.
What can it be-" she exclaimed. "1..it the work
of demons?"
Glaucon took the little stone between his thumb
and finger and carried it to the light. It was glow
ing like a drop of rich red wine.
"Old Cleon. the goldsmith. is wise in such mat
tiers" he said. II will go and bring him." and before
his mother conld demonstrate the boy was off and
down the hill.
Glaucon forgot his tired limbs as he sped over
the slope to Athens. :
Old Cleon was in his shop. He growled a bit at
the long walk on the wild goose chase of a boys
notion, but he was fond of the bright-faced. willing
lad who had more than once done him a favor. and.
leaving his stall in the care of his apprentice, he
babe Glaucon lead on.
Hcraclea received Cleon as a 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 lace. Inc eyes uHoeE the shaggy OTOWS
lighted up with a glance so keen that it seemed to
penetrate to the very heart of the little crystal. For
some time he said nothing; he tapped and weighed
the tiny stone and held it up. peering at it in all
. lights. Then he turned to Heraclea:
II know not how you came by this" he said.
but there is none such in all Athens. If it is yours,
you are favored Of the gods. Never but once have
l handled such a ruby"
The sun rose brightly on the little house the
next morning. Heraclea and Glaucon had been too
happy to sleep. Phorion was theirs, and peace and
prosperity and Glaucon's future were secure. 1t was
almost too much joy to come at once: All. the
blessed crane!.
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