The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1918-03-30
PHIL
BY WHITE.

HuIluS W TetCH the Nllluge nNe mlieS
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 a farmhouse not far distant, than
hesitated undecldedly. us the sun
cleaned for a moment In promise. As
he slowed down neal the gateway. a
bent old man peered up ut him.
Good morning, uncle" the lawyer
greeted. but the old man did not re- !
turn his smile.
bad evening, mister" he replied,
"goln' to have n of blowups.
Better stop, hadn't We an wait insidef"
"Thanks," Burrows responded, III
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 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. "Tll
take a chance and ride on"
"WOnder-" the old man asked, III
you could carry me along to the next
house down theref See it?-the red
One2'
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 cur 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 brenthlessly up the
steps Of the porch.
"Phir' was there before him. evil
IDENTITY the youth also had rushed to
safety. His fresh face shone startled
beneath the brim Of his old felt hat
ut the strangers approach, but he went
on stolidly scraping the mud from the
sOles Of his rubber boots.
."An old man-yOur father I sup
pose" the lawyer said, suggested
that I 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.
sThat was grandad," he answered II.
conically. His eyes studied the stran.
ger. perhaps, I could fnd some
thing" he said suddenly. and dlsap-
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 deity placed tempt
Ing food upon the table.
"Sit down." he said ut last abruptly,
and himself dropped into a wide armed
chair ut the opposite end Of the wood
en- table.
"YOu and your grandfather live
%alone" Burrows asked incredulOusly.
as he buttered q fiaky biscuit, "then
who makes thesef"
"Me," the youth answered, his tone
was sullen. Cooking. farming. ev-
erythlng-I do It all, but I won't much
longer. Grandad's going to be married
again" q curled the red lips
"that's where he's visiting now"
"And thenT the lawyer asked inter-
ested, "What are you going to dol"
Phil shook his head de~spOndently.
"D0n't know" he replied. "Never had
a chance to prepare for anything, had
a fight with grandad every day I went
to school, but ! did the work mornings
ana evenings, and I made It. Now"
the young voice broke dis%couraging-
ly, che don't need me any more"
Sudden unaccOuntable sympathy
J famed In the lawyers breast.
"Phil," he said, III you will come
with me-tomorrOw, I'll give you Z
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.
"Ohl i cant 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 1t like q
cloak about her, "You see," she said,
IL am his granddaughter, Philippa,
The overalls and boots were but my
farming costume. I allowed you ia
think what you believed" 1sst3
Tragic disappointment fingered In
her eyes. Tie lawyer stood staring
as though he too, saw a vision.
UDbtlinpav ha said eIOyylv WTvp n