Gabriel Conroy

The death of the old man caused but little excitement and no sorrow; the absconding of the others was attributed to some information which they had selfishly withheld from t

I think-in the direction of the

r-Gabriel Conroy. On awakening early that morning he had fo

ster, and keep them until Phil

d all the physical adaptabilities of a nurse-a large, tender touch, a low persuasive voice, pliant yet unhesitating limbs, and broad, well-cushioned surfaces. During the weary journey women had instinctively entrusted babies to his charge; most of the dead had died in his arms; all forms and conditions of helplessness had availed themselves of his easy capacity. No one thoug

ry preliminary toss, "would

ry eyes in hopeful antici

nued, "who plays with it like a true baby

ship of this kind evidently

one. But Gracie will have to go away

cumbed to novelty, after the fashion of her sex

ever

ry," replied Gabr

ly, with an a

ng, sought Mrs. Dumphy,

n imaginary cheek of the effigy. "It would be likelier and stronger fur a playmate. Good gracious! how thin it is gettin'. A change will do

rst pressing difficulty of Gracie's absence was overcome. So alternately they took care of the effigy, the child simulating the cares of the future and losing the present in them, the mother living in the memories of the past. Perhaps it might have been pathet

n of the story-teller, but at four o'clock the body had not yet been buried. It was evening, and the three were sitting over the embers, when a singular change came over Mrs. Dumphy. The effigy suddenly slipped from her hands, and looking

hy. Without moving a limb, she said,

r sobs at a si

ming!" said

" said

elief

he

with pack horses and provisions. The leader is an American-the

r, but did not speak. After a

nging, the grass is springing where t

w them?" as

N

ey kno

N

how do they know where

ader has

he

drea

this insane woman; but a coincident exaltation in a stranger who was not suffering from the illusions produced by starvation

ll they

r beautiful valley with steep sides, and a rushing river that runs so near us that I can almost hear it now. Don't

orth, toward the regio

it?" asked the p

N

y n

baby. She is coming for u

he

morr

she half rose, stretched out her thin yearning arms, and received it-a corpse! Gabriel placed the effigy in her arms and folded them over it. Then he ran swiftly to the other hut. For some unexplained reason he did not get further than the door. What he saw there he has never told; but when he groped his fainting way back t