The Fourth Watch

ow Re

ou col

s the br

orse, noble animal that she was, bounded forward. The ice, glassy and firm, stretched out far ahead. It was a raw, midwinter day and the wind drifting in from the north-east presaged a storm.

ckle as he settled back in the sea

es the lad? Won't she be surprised! She's never

he wind, and a big jolly man holding the reins. He said nothing, but kept his eye fixed upon Midnight, his admiration steadily increasing. He would like to own a horse

" was t

ave one li

'b

ll. But get a good one or none

ort-jointed, fetl

l eye, small head

ars, straight legs

tail, broad butt

d that, knew what he

?" asked Dan. "D

he snow. "'Does he live here?' I'm afraid not. Very few

though," remarked Dan. "He m

ou shall know him some day, Dan, when you get older.

y-lighted room ere the sound of a sweet voice humming an old familiar tune fell gently upon their ears. Then a heavy tapestry curtain was drawn aside, and a

ve captured your young hero at last, and I'm glad you recognize him. He's to

st; hair abundant and white, crowning a face of singular strength and refinement, he seemed the very embodiment of health and hearty cheer. No ascetic thi

Nellie remarked, glancing firs

ugh now to know that I found him, and we are to give him a home here. So if

It was the same, there could be no mistake, only now she seemed more beautiful than ever. He felt her soft hand pressing his rough, brown one, and heard her hearty welcome. Words would not come t

ellie's gentle care, from the spotless table-linen to the well-polished, old-fashioned sideboard, a relic of the stirring Loyalist days. Several portraits of di

delight as he related several amusing incidents of his visit to a sick parishi

oggin,'" came the reply, at which

rs. Stickles is

of little ones. Yet she keeps remarkably bright and cheerful. She was much concerned about my welfare, a

o be, an' I often say to John that the work's tellin' on ye

rson in Glendow than Mrs. Stickles. She's a friend to ev

me about our young friend here, and I started off post-haste

had arrived during his absence. Dan, in the meantime, had taken up his position in a cosy-corner nearby. A large picture-book had been given to him, and eagerly his eyes wandered over the wonderful things he found therein. After a while he closed the book and leaned back against the cushions. How comfortable it was. What lux

im. Then she crossed to where her father was sitting, and touched him gently on the shoulder and pointed to t

e, taking a seat by her father's side. "I am so glad

er. "We are fortunate in getting him. I wanted a boy

t Mrs. Stickles t

eral he went to the Flitter house, and found Dan all alone, lying on his father's bed, weeping as if his heart would break. With difficulty he had persuaded him to leave and go with him. That was over a week ago and Dan

t?" questi

ery anxious to learn, and his father, before his death, was giving him s

hool in the district this w

er's face. "Why not have a school here? We can give him a start anyway, an

nd may I be the teacher? I always wanted to do so

you, child, for your interest in the boy. Yo

im, I should like to feel that I am doing something. You know I read to Nora whenever I can, but this ne

d the parson, as Nellie paused an

homestead is

r Frenelle's farm, that fine property w

it for several years, and as the interest has not been paid for some

he always did when in deep thought. "It's bad management, that's what it is. Stephen

ly young, and had a great responsibility place

on--and I love him. But, oh, it is hard to see my old friend's farm go to others. I have talked with Stephen time and time again. But he

dark cloud had arisen. Oh, if Stephen would only bestir himself. They had known each other from childhood. He had always been her hero. As a child her day-dreams and fancies were woven about hi

ouse startled her. At once she arose to as

ly Fletcher is very sick

ght word,

e old man as he was coming down t

xpression of loving concern overspread Nellie's face as she assisted him on with his storm coat, and procured his cap, mittens and overshoes. But no word of remonstrance came from her lips, no urging him to

y and strong as he bade his daughter good-bye, seized the small lantern she h