The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-04-01
PHIL
BY MILDRED WHITE.


The storm was coming. James Bur-
rows let out the speed of his red car.
hoping to reach the village five miles
below before the rain should descend.
The sky grew darker as thunder rolled
about the encircling hills.
To the city lawyer the rough wind
ing roads seemed almost impossible.
impatiently he decided to seek shelter
at farmhouse not far distant, than
hesitated undoubtedly, as the sun
cleaned for moment in promise. AS
he slowed down near the gateway, a
bent old man peered up at him.
Good morning, uncle" the lawyer
greeted, but the old man did not re-
turn his smile.
bad evening, mister" he replied,
"goin to have one of our blowups.
Better stop, hadn't We an wait inside?"
Thanks" Burrows responded, 81
think | can reach the village before
the storm breaks, and have supper
there"
The old man shook his head "Don't
believe it," he said, "we're alone here,
Phil an me, but | reckon Phil could
pick up something for you to eat"
Turning, he cupped his hands and
called to a blue-overalled figure hoe
ing in the distance.
Phil" he screamed, "Phil." The
lad bending over his work apparently
did not hear
Never mind" Burrows said, "Pll
take a chance and ride on"
"Wonder-" the old man asked eff
you could carry me along to the next
house down there? See it?-the red
one?"
| certainly" the lawyer agreed, and
| the former seated himself in the car
with evident pride
When Burrows had disposed of his
companion, the storm descended uu-
| eXpectedly. Great sheets of rain swept
against him, the wind threatened to
blow his small car from it's course,
lightning flashed whiplike around the
| hilltops. Swiftly he turned about,
| with difficulty, making his way back
to the old mans house. UNLIMITED he
| sheltered his car in the great white
| barn, and dashed breathessly up the
steps of the porch.
Phil was there before him, evil
IDENTIFY the youth also had rushed to
| safety. His fresh face shone startled
| beneath the brim of his old felt hat
at the strangers approach, but he went
| on stolidly scraping the mud from the
soles of his rubber boots.
''An old man-your father / sup
| pose" the lawyer said, suggested
that | wait here until the storm has
| abated." Burrows smiled. ''He also
| intimated that you might pick up
| something for me to eat, I'm furiously
| hungry"
The boy lounged in the doorway.
THAT was grandad," he answered la
| conically His eyes studied the stran-
| ger. perhaps, ] could find some
| thing" he said suddenly, and disap-
| peared in the house. His heavy boots
| tracked the clean scrubbed floor, as
the lawyer followed him inside, the
| rain-soaked old hat still rested upon
| Pills head, as he deftly placed tempt
ing food upon the table.
sit down." he said at last abruptly,
and himself dropped into a wide armed
| chair at the opposite end Of the wood
| Ell table.
you and your grandfather live
| alone?" Burrows asked incredulOuSly,
as he buttered a flaky biscuit, "then
| who makes theseT
| 40
was sullen. Cooking, farming, ev-
erything-I do it all, but won't much
| longer. Grandad's going to be married
again" sheer curled the red lips
that's where he's visiting now"
'And then?' the lawyer asked inter-
ested ''What are you going to do?'
| Phil shook his head despondently.
Don't know" he replied. "Never had
q chance to prepare for anything, had
a fight with grandad every day l went
to school, but did the work mornings
and evenings, and l made it. Now, -
| the young voice broke discouraging-
| ly, she don't need me any more"
Sudden unaccountable sympathy
famed in the lawyers breast.
! Kill, he Sdlu, IL you Will COIuS
with me-tomOrrow, I'll give you a
start in the world. Help is scarce at
this time, | need you in my Office
Crimson spots glowed in the lads
round cheeks, quickly he rose to his
feet. ''You mean," he said, "that you'd
take me there to the city, that you'd
help me to-live.'
The lawyer nodded silently. Then
with sudden passionate motion the lad
buried his face in his arms, his Shout
ders shaking with sudden sobs.
"Oh! l can't co." he cried and
snatched the felt hat from his head.
About the round childish face, fell a
mass of golden hair, angrily Phil
caught the hair and drew it like a
cloak about her, "You see," she said,
I'll am his granddaughter, Philippa.
The Overalls and boots were but my
farming costume. | allowed you to
think what you believed"
Tragic disappointment fingered in
her eyes. The lawyer stood staring
as though he too, saw vision.
"Philippa," he said slowly, give a
mother back there in the city, who
needs a companion like you, someone
to teach-tO love, to care for. When
she comes for you, will you be ready
to go back with her?'