her he nor anyone would have thought of the
means and applied it with such lightning quickness. It certainly was
an extraordinary exhibition of presence of mind and deserved all the
praise given to it. The Brereton _Intelligencer_ devoted half a column
to a description of the exploit and prophesied that that "young man"
would be heard from again. For weeks and months there was nothing at
the disposal of Mr. Hunter which was too good for his boy and it is
probable that the indulgence of that period had something to do with
making Tim dissatisfied with the prospect of spending all his life as a
"hewer of stone."

Gradually as the effects of the remarkable rescue wore off, the
impatience of the parent grew until we have seen him on the point of
calling to account the boy who had really been the means of saving two
lives, for his own was as much imperilled as the sister's. Once more
she appealed to that last recourse, and once more it did not fail her.
When he recalled that dreadful scene, he could not help feeling an
admiring gratitude for his boy. Although silent and reserved some time
later, when the three gathered round the table for their evening meal,
nothing unpleasant was said by the parent, though the sharp-witted Tim
felt a strong suspicion of the cause of his father's reserve.

Later in the evening, the latter sat down by the table in the sitting
room and took up his copy of the Brereton _Intelligencer_, which had
arrived that afternoon. He always spent his Thursday evenings in this
manner, unless something unusual interfered, the local news and
selected miscellany affording enough intellectual food to last him
until retiring time.

While he was thus occupied, Tim and Maggie played checkers, there being
little difference in their respective skill. They were quiet, and when
necessary to speak, did so in low tones, so as not to disturb the
parent.

An hour had passed, when he suddenly turned, with his spectacles on his
nose, and looked at the children. The slight resentment he still felt
toward Tim caused him to address himself directly to his sister:

"Maggie, do you know who has been writing these articles in the paper
for the last few weeks?"

She held a king suspended as she was on the point of jumping a couple
of Tim's and asked in turn:

"What articles?"

"They are signed 'Mit' and each paper for the last two or three months
has had one of them."

"No, sir; I do not know who wrote them."