The Washington herald., 1914-03-25

Orville caught a glimpse Of Roseman
sneaking from the store as he gathered
his mother in his arms and Carried her
from the store. At first thought the
| bullet had killed her. and cursed him.
I self as the murderer OF his mother.
But when he had laid her on the bed
in the cabin he found there was only a
powder stain on her face. She had only
been shocked.
Late in the evening she opened her
eyes and stared about her In bewilde--
ed way. ',Edwin-where IL her she
mumbled.
orville's lips curled contemptuousiy.
He ran away when he thought he had
shot you. the coward! Maybe he'll
starve to death somewhere. Just what
he deserves"
She clutched at his hand. then lay
very still, occupied with thoughts he had
knew were deeper. more vital than
prejudice.
He mustn't" she sobbed weakly. That
mustn't happen to him. because- The
hand that clutched the boys throbbed.
"oh, you wouldn't understand she
faltered. despairingly. but I want you
to find him and-and bring him back.
You will, won't your
Orville did not understand, but he
again thought of the long stream and
the sticks caught in the twiri of II. He
hesitated for an instant Then some
thing stronger than prejudice seized him,
too. and he rose slowly and took his
jacket from the peg.
81 WILL" he promised. Guess you'n
be all right while I am gone
She smiled at him, futter OF happi-
ness and mystery that he could not un-
derstand.
He staggered into the darkness and
struck the trail that zigzagged like
moonIIt ribbon into the wilds and the
unknown. He felt weary and exhausted.
but gradually the call Of the night AND
the woods Suoyed him. Then vision
Of Barbara fitted tremblingly over the
dark trail. and suddenly he thought ne
understood the tremulous mystery he had
seen in his mothers eyes. 1t was the
long long stream for her. too. but the
twigs would meet somewhere. He strug-
gled onward through the night and the
day that followed until his feet were sore.
He knew that somewhere down the wind
ing trail staggered a man with heart
bruised by thoughts of woman from
whom he had been parted by fates
whim. He must save him-or the t~iS
might be lost forever in the swirl
But Roseman was nowhere in sight.
Perhaps the awful chill and despair in
spired by the frozen wilds had over
taken him. Orville hastened his steps,
and gIancing down from a hill he saw
figure crouch!ng on giistening rock
belsw The man was sliding down
treacherous precipice. and Dville knew
he had given up the struggle and sur
rendered a fate shared by many who ven-
ture into the wilds. He called to him.
but there was no response. Then ne
slided down the icy surface OF the hill
and cIutched at the shivering wretch.
He shook him violently. but the figure
was limp and resistless.
You must come home with me!' he
cried.
A spark OF life Huttered in the glazing
eyes Homer" muttcred the man
feebIy. "Home-but l can't"
Orville tumbled him over the icy hard
ness, rubbing his limbs until life began
TO return. Then he raised him to his
feet. The man stared wildly about him.
"Home-did you say home?" he stam-
mered.
Yes, home. Some one is waiting for
YOU there" He was filed with a tender
ness and a compassion he could not un-
derstand. You think You have done
something terrible, but you're mistaken.
The gun went on accidentally, but
mother was only shocked. Now come"
Orville dragged him over the frozen
wilds. and gradually the flush Of return
ing life mounted to the mans face.
They rested at a hslf-breed's shack. and
Orville tried TO joke away his compan-
ions trouble.
Did you say some one isis waiting
for me?" faltcred Roseman, as they
started again.
Yes. it's the long stream and the twfgs
same as with me-
Roseman caught his meaning vaguely,
Then she has forgiven?' he murmured
dizzily. Orville thought his last remnant
OF strength had deserted him when at
last they reached the little settlement.
His mother ran out to greet them, A
glad little cry clipped from her lips, and
then she was folded in Roseman's arms.
You forgive me, don't you?" he
pleaded.
She laughed happily. 1t seemed to Or
vile strange new youth had returned
to her.
Il need your forgiveness, too" she
whispered. II have always loved you.
Edwin, but I didn't know it-until Or
vile and Barbara reminded me-"
Orville looked about him sadly. Two
twtgs had survived the snarling current
and become reunited, but-he sought in
vain for Barbara. She had not vet re-
turned. And sometimes the stream was
so long and the current so wild, he re-
membered
Then something hot and tender welled
within him, for a girl had stepped from
the house and tripped toward him. Bar
baran he exclaimed.
He forgot that he was cold and hungry
and weary. With his arm about her
they sauntereG to the creek.
MY aunt wasn't nice to me-" she ex-
planned, land was thinking of you, and |
30 ran away. I guess II Just had to be |
that way"
II am glad the stream wasn't longer |
this time" said orville. "Lookr'