Part 3 (1/2)

”If I had anything about ht Nello, but he had nothing except the wisp of linen and serge that covered him, and his pair of wooden shoes Patrasche understood, and nestled his nose into the lad's hand, as though to pray him not to be disquieted for any woe or want of his

The winner of the drawing-prize was to be proclai where he had left his treasure Nello made his way On the steps and in the entrance-hall there was a crowd of youths--soe, some older, all with parents or relatives or friends His heart was sick with fear as he went areat bells of the city clashed out the hour of noon with brazen claer, panting throng rushed in: it was known that the selected picture would be raised above the rest upon a wooden dais

A ht, his head swam, his limbs almost failed hi raised on high: it was not his own! A slow, sonorous voice was proclaier, born in the burgh of Antwerp, son of a wharfinger in that town

When Nello recovered his consciousness he was lying on the stones without, and Patrasche was trying with every art he knew to call hi of the youths of Antere shouting around their successful co him with acclaered to his feet and drew the dog into his embrace ”It is all over, dear Patrasche,” he murmured--”all over!”

He rallied hi, and retraced his steps to the village Patrasche paced by his side with his head drooping and his old li fast: a keen hurricane blew from the north: it was bitter as death on the plains It took the to traverse the fa four of the clock as they approached the hamlet Suddenly Patrasche paused, arrested by a scent in the snow, scratched, whined, and drew out with his teeth a small case of brown leather He held it up to Nello in the darkness Where they were there stood a little Calvary, and a lamp burned dully under the cross: the boy ht: on it was the naez, and within it were notes for two thousand francs

The sight roused the lad a little from his stupor He thrust it in his shi+rt, and stroked Patrasche and drew hi looked up wistfully in his face

Nello ht for the mill-house, and went to the house-door and struck on its panels Theclose to her skirts ”Is it thee, thou poor lad?” she said kindly through her tears ”Get thee gone ere the Baas see thee We are in sore trouble to-night He is out seeking for a power ofhomeward, and in this snow he never will find it; and God knows it will go nigh to ruin us It is Heaven's own judgs we have done to thee”

Nello put the note-case in her hand and called Patrasche within the house

”Patrasche found the ez so: I think he will not deny the dog shelter and food in his old age Keep hiood to hi knehat he meant he had stooped and kissed Patrasche: then closed the door hurriedly, and disappeared in the glooht

The woman and the child stood speechless with joy and fear: Patrasche vainly spent the fury of his anguish against the iron-bound oak of the barred house-door They did not dare unbar the door and let hiht him sweet cakes and juicy meats; they tempted him with the best they had; they tried to lure him to abide by the warmth of the hearth; but it was of no avail

Patrasche refused to be comforted or to stir from the barred portal

It was six o'clock when from an opposite entrance the miller at last came, jaded and broken, into his wife's presence ”It is lost forever,” he said, with an ashen cheek and a quiver in his stern voice ”We have looked with lanterns everywhere: it is gone--the little maiden's portion and all!”

His wife put the money into his hand, and told hi into a seat and covered his face, ashamed and almost afraid ”I have been cruel to the lad,” he ood at his hands”

Little Alois, taking courage, crept close to her father and nestled against hiain, father?” she whispered ”He may come to-morrow as he used to do?”

The miller pressed her in his arms: his hard, sunburned face was very pale and his mouth trembled ”Surely, surely,” he answered his child ”He shall bide here on Christ me, I will make amends to the boy--I will ratitude and joy, then slid fro kept watch by the door ”And to-night I lee

Her father bent his head gravely: ”Ay, ay: let the dog have the best;” for the stern old man was moved and shaken to his heart's depths

It was Christs and squares of turf, with crea reaths of evergreen, and the Calvary and the cuckoo clock looked out from a mass of holly There were little paper lanterns, too, for Alois, and toys of various fashi+ons and sweetht and warmth and abundance everywhere, and the child would fain have uest honored and feasted

But Patrasche would neither lie in the warmth nor share in the cheer

Famished he was and very cold, but without Nello he would partake neither of coainst all teainst the door he leaned always, watching only for a ez ”Good dog! good dog! I will go over to the lad the first thing at day-dawn” For no one but Patrasche knew that Nello had left the hut, and no one but Patrasche divined that Nello had gone to face starvation and s crackled and flalass of wine and a slice of the fat goose baking for supper Alois, gleeful and sure of her play and tossed back her yellow hair Baas Cogez, in the fulness of his heart, sh moistened eyes, and spoke of the way in which he would befriend her favorite companion; the house--wheel; the cuckoo in the clock chirped mirthful hours Amidst it all Patrasche was bidden with a thousand words of welcouest