The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-05
PHIL
BY MILDRED WHITE.
opyright. 1917. Western Newspaper union.)

hDuul the tnClrclluS llIIs.
To the city lawyer the rough wind
ing roads seemed almost impossible
impatiently he decided to seek shelte
at farmhouse not far distant, thar
hesitated undoubtedly, as the SUI
cleaned for moment in promise. Al
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 ye an wait insidef'
Thanks" Burrows responded, q
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 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, "FIl
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 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 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 stoldly scraping the mud from the
soles of his rubber boots.
IAN old man-your father | sup
pose" the lawyer said, suggested
that l wait here until the storm has
abotad Rurrou,e cu,ffad tsIJa 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
conlcally. His eyes studied the stran-
ger. Perhaps, could find some
thing" he said suddenly, and disap- I
peared In the house. His heavy boots /
tracked the clean scrubbed floor, as
the lawyer followed him inside, the
old hat still rested upon
Phil's 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
an table.
You and your grandfather live
alone?" Burrows asked incredulously.
rs he buttered fiaky biscuit, then
who makes thesef"
Me" the youth answered. his tone
vas sullen. Cooking, farming, ev-
,rything--I do 1t all, but l won't much
onger Grandad's going TO be married /,
gain" sneer curled the red lips I
that's where he's visiting now." 1
"And then?" the lawyer asked inter- t
sted, "What are you going to do?" Il
Phil shook his head despondently. t
Don't know" he replied. "Never had II
chance to prepare for anything, had
fight with grandad every day / went
0 school, but did the work mornings 4
nd evenings, and | made it. Now" q
he young voice broke discouraging- "
:, "he don't need me any more d
Sudden unaccountable sympathy Z
AIMED in the-lawyers breast.
phil" he said, IF you will come q
18th me-tomorrow, I'll give you =
tart in the world. Help is scarce at !,
lis time, / need you in my Office in
Crimson spots glowed in the lads m
,und cheeks, quickly he rose to his ca
,et. "You mean," he said, that you'd hi
Ike me there to the city, that you'd be
zip me to-live."
The lawyer nodded silently. Then - -
tin sudden passionate motion the lad 80 80
Iried his face in his arms, his shout
RS shaking with sudden sobs.
"Oh! i can't CO." he cried and
atched the felt hat from his head. Fl
bout the round childish face, fell a it,
ass of golden hair, angrily Phil fu
ught the hair and drew ii like a sh
oak about her, "You see" she said, pr
Il am his granddaughter, Philippa. sr
he overalls and boots were but my co
rming costume. | allowed you to of
ink what you believed"
Tragic disappointment fingered in
r eyes. The lawyer stood staring
though he too. saw vision.
"Philippa." he said slowly, 1--we
,ther back there in the city, who
eds companion like you. someone
teach--to love, to care for. When
e comes for you. will you be ready {
60 back with her?'
And Philippa said she would.