a merry
exclamation, and with one bound, little Dollie (none the worse,
apparently, for her adventure the night before) landed in the iron-like
arms and kissed the shaggy-bearded fellow, who laughingly took a chair
and held her a willing captive on his knee.

Harvey sat smiling and silent until the earthquake was over. Then, as
his chief foreman looked toward him, he said:

"As I said last night, Hugh, the service you have done is beyond
payment. You know what a storm set in just after Dollie was brought
home, she never could have lived through that."

"It would have gone hard with her, I'm afraid," replied the embarrassed
visitor; "does the little one feel no harm?"

"We observe nothing except a slight cold, which the doctor says is of
no account. I have made up my mind to give to you, Hugh----"

The latter raised his hand in protest. He could accept money for any
service except that of befriending the blue-eyed darling on his knee.

"Never refer to that again."

Harvey laughed.

"I looked for something of the kind; I have a few words to add. I
found out this morning that there was a mortgage of $600 against your
little home in the village. I don't believe in mortgages, and that
particular one has now no existence. If you see any way to help undo
what I have done go ahead, but I beg you not to refuse another small
present that I have prepared for you."

And Harvey turned as if about to take something from his desk, but
stopped when he saw Hugh shake his head almost angrily.

"I would do a good deal to oblige you, Mr. Bradley, but you must not
ask that. I would have been better pleased had you let the mortgage
alone; my wife and little one are under the sod, and it matters nought
to me whether I have a place to lay my head. But," he added with a
faint smile, "what's done can't be undone, and, since you have asked
me, I will drop the matter, but nothing more, I pray you, on the other
subject."

"Hugh," said the superintendent, like one who braces himself for a duty
that has its disagreeable as well as its pleasant features, "you know
that I had sent to Vining for men to take the places of those who are
on strike?"

"I heard something of the kind, sir."

"They were to start for Bardstown to-night and are due to-morrow."

"Yes, sir."

"I countermanded the order by telegraph this morning; not a man will
come."

"Yes, sir."

"The whistle will blow to-morrow as usual, ten minutes before 7
o'c