Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-29

| tete, Dut ue duSuhScO oAu AS0A~ -
his hands. "For Elnora, s'possr
"Yes," said Mrs. Comstock. "In
mad ct I trampled one this morning
and by the luck Of the old boy him
self It was the last moth she needed
to complete a collection. got tf
| get another one or die"
'Then I guess it's your funeral
said Pete. There amt a chance II
dozen the right one will come. Wha
color was ity'
yellow. and big as bird"
1.-THE Emperor. likely" said Pete
"You dig for that kind. and they an
not numerous. SOS at you can smash
'em for fun"
"Well. I can try to get one. any
way" said Mrs. Comstock. "I forgot
all about bringing anything to put
them in. You take a pinch on theil
wings until / make a poke"
Mrs. Comstock removed her apron
tearing OF the strings. She unfasten
ed and stepped from the skirt Of hei
calico dress. With one apron string
she tied shut the band and placket
She pulled wire pin from her hair
stuck It through the other string. and
using It as a bodkin ran It around the
hem Of her skirt. Her fingers dew
and shortly she had large bag. She
put several branches inside. to which
the moths could cling. closed the mouth
partially and held 1t toward Pete.
Pete slipped several more moths Into
the bag.
"Now. that's FIVE. Mrs. Comstock." "
he said. "I'm sorry. but you'll have to
make that do. You must get out OF
here lively. Your lights will be taken
for hurry calls. and inside the next
hour. a couple Of men will ride here
like fury"
"Well. I'll see them make me 90"
said Mrs. Comstock. "I've got Roberts
revolver In my dress md ] can shoot
as straight as any man If I'm mao
enough. Any one that interferes with
me tonight will find me mad a-plenty
There goes another!"
I'VE are close to the old case" said
Pete. II think can get into 1t. May.
be we could slip the rest in there"
That's q fine idea" said Mrs. Com.
stock. They'll have 30 much room
there they won't he likely to hurt them
selves, and the books say they don't
fly in daytime unless they are dis,
turbed. 80 they will settle when it's
light, and can come with Elnora to
get them"
They captured two more. and then
Pete carried them to the case.
Here comes big oneT' he cried as
he returned.
Mrs. ComstOck looked up and stepped
out with q prayer on her lips. She
could not tell the color ut that distance,
but the moth appeared different from
the others. On It came. dropping lower
and darting from light to light. As II
swept near her. "Oh. heavenly Father
exulted Mrs. Comstock. Its yellow
Careful! Pete. your hat, maybe"
Pete made a long sweep. The moth
wavered above the hat and sailed
away. In its flight 1t came straight TO-
ward Mrs. Comstock. She snatched OF
the remnant Of apron she had tucked
into her petticoat band and held the
calico before her. The moth struck full
against it and clung to the goods. Pete
crept up stealthily. Another moth
followed the first. and the spray show.
cred the apron.
"Waitr' gasped Mrs. Comstock. Il
think they have settled. The books say
they won't leave now"
"Now. shall I7' questioned Pete.
mo. Leave them alone. They are
safe now. They are mine. They are
my salvation. God and the Limberlos
gave them to me! They won't move
for hours. The books all say 80. oh
Heavenly Father. l am thankful t.
you, and you. too. Pete Corson! Yot
are q good man to help me. Now.
can 60 home and face my girl"
Elnora had sat by the window fal
into the night. At last she undresset
and went to bed, but sleep would mo-
come. She had gone to the city Il
talk with members Of the school boart
about a room In the grades. There
was a possibility that she might secure
the moth and 30 be able to start t
college that fall. but II she did not
then she wanted the school. She hat
been given some encouragement. bu
she was 80 unhappy that nothing mat
tered. Yet Margaret Sinton had nd
vised her to 60 home and try onc'
more. Unable to sleep she arose a
last, and the room being warm. sh'
sat on the floor by the window. Th'
lights In the swamp caught her eye
She was very uneasy. for quite '10'
| of her best moths were In the case.
She hurried down the stairway softll
calling her mother. There was NJ
answer. She lightly stepped across tn
| sitting room and looked In at the opel
door. There was no one. and the bet
! had not been used. Her first though
was that her mother had gone to tn
pool, and the Limberlost was aliv'
with signals. Pity and fear mingled
In the heart Of the girl. She openet
the kitchen door. crossed the gardel
and ran back to the swamp. As sh
neared 1t she listened, but she coul'
hear only the usual voices Of night.
"Mother!m she called softly. ther
| louder, "Mother! She returned home
| The time wns dreadfully long befor
she heard her mothers voice.
Mrs. ComstOck entered, dragging he
heavy feet. In one hand she held the Ian
tern, and in the other. stifiy extends
before her. on d wad Of calico. repose
a magnificent pair Of yellow Emperors
"Shall put these others in the kitcf
en- I" inquired mans voice.
The girl shrank back to the shadowt
"Yes, anywhere inside the door" n
plied Mrs. Comstock as she moved
few steps to make way for him. Pete
head appeared. He set down tn
moths, and was gone.
.'Thank you. Pete. more than ere
woman thanked you before" said Mn
Comst0ck.
She placed the lantern on the tao'
and barred the door. As she turne
Elnora came Into view. Mrs. Comstoc
leaned toward her and held out tn
moths. In q voice vibrant Witl tone