Rod of the Lone Patrol

riftwood up from the shore. This brightly-lighted room was a pleasing contrast to the roughness of the night outside, for a strong late October wind was careening over the land. I

Royal laid aside the paper she had been readin

very amusing to-night, Daniel," she rem

one I ever attended. That missionary had a great story to tell and he told it well. There was a go

Bis

ve another boyish chuckle. "Give it up, eh?" and his eye

es

ld never guess, for yo

ain

air a little closer to the fire. "What in the world took him there to-ni

ious to hear about that country. He was certainly the most interested person there, and afte

?" Mrs. Roy

a missionary, when for years he has been so much down on missions and missionaries. That is one on the old captain, and I shall

, as she picked up the paper she had laid aside. "Perhaps he will

pipe and tobacco lying on a little stand by his side. "It is only his

an tell? I always liked Jimmy. He and Alec got on

ce grew grave, and a slight mistiness di

een twenty-five

old Doctor Paddock. It was a night something like this,

the mantel ticked steadily as the two sat for some time

ess. He looked up into my face and smiled, just like he used to do. I gave a cry of joy and put out my arms to take

plans we made for his future? Our

s think of him as a baby, or as a strong manly boy coming home from school.

y night rose suddenly before him like a great perpendicular wall. For a few seconds he could see nothing, but as his eyes became accustomed to the blackness, he beheld a dim form standing before him. Then a large bundle was thrust suddenly into his arms, and the figure disappeared. He thought he heard a sob borne on the night air as he stood in the door-way clutching the burden imposed

ere in the draught for?" his wife remonst

en she saw her husband enter wit

gasped, rising q

ive, anyway, whatever it is, for it's

ck, and raised her hands

ou, dear. What a

ht not be safe to have it in the

e clothes, which almost caused the parson to drop his burden upon the floor. But that sound stirred Mrs. Roy

oked up into hers, and a queer little chuckle of delight came from the small rose-bud of a mouth. So pleased was it to have its face uncovered, that it pe

Royal's motherly comment. "It is go

awl and straightened out the baby's mussed garments. T

uch interest. This little waif of the nig

at last asked. "It is no child of th

may be that the good Lord has taken compassion upon our lone

those plain clothes do not look much like heavenly robes, do they? I think that the hands which made that little white dress

he is," Mrs. Royal insisted, "and perhap

was a note of anxiety in the parson's v

t,' Daniel? Why do

the parson chuckled as he stroked his clean-s

the least knowledge of babies can tell a boy from a girl at the firs

that s

s so quietly in my lap, looking wonderingly into the fire? And notice how delicately she is formed; how perfect her f

artha?" and Parson Dan dre

ut have not decided yet. I always liked

, anyway," was the som

'Debbie,' or 'Deb,' wh

alled at home, Daniel. If we begin at once t

wish to call her Deborah,

arelessly at it at first, but as he read the words written thereon his eyes opened wide. He looked at his wife, w

hat is the fourth time you've chuckled already to

r all, dear?" the parson replied, i

l! What do

should be a b

Daniel. Don't you suppose

at," and the clergyman ha

ll come for him some day. The Lor

MOT

She uttered no word, but her head drooped lower over the baby and she remained

dly. It was only a little mistake after all, and I am really glad it

the baby gave a vigorous kick, accompanied by a peculiar gur

, are you, to know that we've found out that you are a boy? You didn't want to be called Deb

om my mind. But, there," she added, "I must put him to bed. It isn't good for a baby t

e paused. "We shall teach him to call me

Don't let him fall. There, that's good," and Mrs. Royal s

per place, and the bed looked as if it had been recently made. The walls were adorned with various articles, from a number of shelves, filled with books for boys, to snow-shoes, fishing-rods, a rifle, and college colours. It had been several years since any

down upon the small cot associated with such sweet memories. Then she placed the candle upon a small table and set earnestly to work. First she removed the clothes and mattress and carr

turb that little cot and make it ready for a strange child. Neither did he wish to say anything, for he himself was deeply stirred as memories of other da

e is somebody's child, and perhaps his moth

t sob which I heard to-night is still ringing in my ear