The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-08-29
PHI.
BY MILDRED WHITE.

1
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 encircllng 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 undecidedly, as the sun
cleaned for moment in promise. AS
he slowed down near the gateway,
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 inslde?"
"Thanks," Burrows responded, II
think l can reach the village before
the storm breaks, and have supper
there"
The old man shook his head. "Dont
believe it," he said, "we're alone here,
Phil an me, but l 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, "Ill
take a chance and ride on"
"Wonder-" the old man asked, "if
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 I'M
| expectedly. Great sheets of rain swept
against him, the wind threatened to
blow his small Car from its course,
lightning flashed whlplike 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 breathlessly 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 l 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, 1 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 wide armed
chair at the opposite end of the wood
en- table.
"You and your grandfather live
alone?" Burrows asked incredulously,
as he buttered tlaky biscuit, "then
who makes these|
"Me," the youth answered, his tone
was sullen. Cooking, farming, ev-
erything-I do it ALL but 1 won't much
longer. Grandad's going to be married
| again." a sheer curled the red lips
that's where he's visiting now"
"And them" the lawyer asked inter-
ested "What are you going to doY
Phi shook his head despondently.
Don't know" he replied. "Never had
chance to prepare for anything, had
a fight with grandad every day l went
TO school, but / did the work mornings
and evenings, and I made it. Now"
the young voice broke discouraging-
| ly, "he don't need me any more"
Sudden unaccountable sympathy
famed in the lawyers breast.
"Phil," he SAID "if you will come
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.
"Ohi l can't 60" he cried and
snatched the felt hat from his head.
About the round childish face, fell n
mass of golden hair angrlly Phil
caught the hair and drew 1t like a
cloak about her, "You See" she said,
II am his granddaughter, Phillppa.
The overals and boots were but my
farming costume. l allowed you to
think what you believed"
Tragic disappointment fingered In
her eyes. The lawyer stood staring
as though he too, saw vision.
"Phlllppa," he said slowly, "Pve 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 yor be ready
to go back with herr"
And phiIiDna said she would,