The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-19
CHAPTER XVI.

from the woods that same after
noon by way Of the bridge. in or.
der to buy some provisions at the
brick store When he was still long
distance from the bars that divided the
lane from the highroad he espied u
dark clad little speck he knew TO he
Rodman leaning over the fence. wait
ing and longing as usual for his home.
coming. and his heart warmed at the
thought of the boyish welcome that
never failed.
The sleigh slipped quickly over the
hard packed, shining road. and the
bells rang merrily in the clear. cold
air, giving out a Joyous sound that had
no echo in lvory's breast that day. He
had just had vision Of happiness
through another mans eyes. Was he
always to stand outside the banqueting
table. he wondered. and see others
feasting while he hungered?
Now the little speck bounded from
the fence. few dowr the road TO meet
the sleigh and jumped in by the driv.
er's side.
man cried eagerly. Il told Aunt Boyn-
ton you'd come"
How is she. well as common?"
mo. not bit well since yesterday
morning, but Mrs. Mason says it's
nothing worse than a cold. Mrs. Ma
son has just gone home. and we've
had grand housekeeping today.
She's washed and ironed and baked.
and we've put Aunt Boynton in clean
sheets and pillowcases, and her rooms
nice and warm. and | carried the cat
I'm and PUG it on her bed to keep her
company while l came to watch for
you. Aunt Boynton let Mrs. Mason
braid her hair and seemed to like her
brushing 1t. It's been dreadful lone
some. and, oh, | am glad you came
back, Ivory. Did you find any more
spruce gum where you went this
timer
Pounds and pounds, Rod; enough to
bring me In nearly 500. / CHANGED on
the greatest place I've found yet
followed the wake OF an old whirlwind
that had left long burrows in the forest
I've told you how the thing works
and l tracked its course by the gum
that had formed wherever the trees
were wounded. It's hard. lonely work
Rod but II pays well"
IF / could have been there maybe
we could have got more. I'm good at
shining up trees"
Yes, sometime We'll go gum picking
together. Wen climb the trees like
a couple Of cats and take our knives
and scrape of the precious Jumps that
are worth % much money to the drug
gists. You've let down the bars.
see."
"'Cause knew you'd come tonight"
said Rodman. II felt ii in my bones.
We're going TO have a splendid sup
per-"
Are we? That's good news" Ivory
tried to make his tone bright and in
terested, though his heart was like a
lump Of lead In his breast. Its the
least l can do for the poor little chap"
he thought, when he stays as care
taker in this lonely spot ! wonder II
! hadn't better drive into the barn,
Rod, and leave the harness on Nick till
go In and see mother? Guess I will"
shes hot, Aunt Boynton. hot and
restless, but Mrs. Mason thinks that's
ALL"
Ivory found his mother feverish, and
her eyes were unnaturally bright. but
she was clear In mind and cheerful.
too. sitting up In bed to breathe the
better, while the Maltese cat snug
gled under her arm and purred peace
fully.
The cat is Rods idea" she said
smllingly, but in a very weak voice.
"He is a great nurse. | should never
have thought OF the cat myself. but
she gives me more comfort than all
the medicine"
Ivory and Rodman drew up TO the
supper table, already set in the kitch-
en-, but before Ivory took his seat he
softly closed the door that led into the
living room. They ate their beans
and brown bread and the mince pie
that had been the splendid" feature
Of the meal. as reported by the boy,
and when they had finished and Rod.
man was clearing the table Ivory
walked to the window. lighting his
pipe the while, and stood soberly look
ing out on the snowy landscape. One
could scarcely tell II was twilight, with
such sweeps Of wilderness to catch ev-
cry CLEAN OF the dying day.
drop work minute and come here.
Rod" he said at length. "Can you
keep a secretl"
course can! I'm chock full Of 'em
now, and nobody could dig one Of EN-
out o. me with a pickaxr'
"oh, well, If you're full you natural
ly couldn't hold anotherp'
II could try to squeeze 1t In II it's a
nice one" coaxed the boy.
II don't know whether you'll think
it's a nice one. Rod, for II breaks up
one OF your plans. I'm not sure my
self how nice II is, but it's very big,
unexpected. startling one. What do
NJ