The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-07-22

The man replied in French, "No
one else" and tainted away. Abel
Wrayford and his ward bore him with
difficulty tot heir house, seated him be-
fore the fire in their warm parlor, and
used every effort to restore him to con-
sciousness. Presently his hand wan
dered to his forehead, as though he
were trying to remember something
in his sleep, and those who we're bend
ing over him knew that he was COM
ing to himself:
He was young man of three or
four and twenty years, dark and
handsome, his white hands and his
short, silky-black mustache a great
deal at variance with the sailors
dress he wore. He opened his eyes,
looked round him wildly for an in
stant, and then glanced from Abel
Wrayford to his ward.
"Friends p he asked, in English
this time.
Eyes, friends, Of course" replied
Wrayford.
English people? p he said, slowly.
Abel again replied in the afirma-
tive.
"You are always hospitable-1
thank you for your solicitude," he
said, with strong foreign AGENT. II
shall be better in few minutes, and
will not trouble you longer than I
can help. You will allow me to rest
for half an half an hour, I am sure" !"
"Half an hour!' said Wrayford !;
"you must stay here all night, man,
unless you want to risk your life
again. You must go to bed at
once, and we will dry your clothes by
the morning"
"You are very kind" he. murmur-
ed; "but-"
"But you must let us have our
way" said Wrayford, cheerily; "you
are not the first sailor who has been
dried by Abel Wrayford's fire. We
are used to wrecks on this part of the
coast"
II thank you very much," he an
swered, gratefully; "but if you will
allow me would rather proceed up
on my journey-I am anxious to
reach London. I am a very-poor
man."
He made the confession reluctantly,
addressing Grace rather than her
guardian, as though from woman
he anticipated more of sympathy for
his forlorn condition. She looked
toward Abel Wrayford quickly as he
concluded, and Abel understood her
glance.
"You do US an injustice in your
thoughts, young man" he said, grave.
"; poverty or riches will make no
difference in our treatment Of the
stranger cast upon our shores"
"You will allow me first to explain
how it is that am in this condition,
| and then"
II will see you into bed and hear
all explanations afterward," said
Wrayford, sturdily; ''man, do not
you know that you are wet through ?
and spelling my carpet with salt
water" he added, dryly.
Wrayford was charitable and
deep-feeling man it was evident
close study Of his profession and little
communion with his race had not mar
rowed his heart nor rendered him as
cetic. Human suffering always touch
ed him ; and the troubles of his fel'
low-men were certain to arouse his
sympathy. The Frenchman was i'm
pressed by this geniality, and would
have overwhelmed him with thanks
had the chemist allowed it but Abe
was determined on getting the damp
stranger to his room, in which an &C
tive maid-servant had already light
ed a fire. The stranger went up 6
few stairs with some confidence, the1
paused, and motioned Abel Wray
ford to his side.
II am weaker than I thought" he
said, family Il am in great pain
"Where p
"Here in my left side; I am afraid
good friend, that must trouble yor
for DOCTOR"
Wrayford got him to his room ant
into his bed, and then went in search
of the doctor, as the stranger had de
sired.
"This is rather an awkward LODGE
who has dropped upon us, Grace" h
said, before he started on his errand
zone who will be an expense, and WIZ
has told us frankly that he has moth
ing wherewith to reimburse US for ou'
outly; but we will make the best O
him."
"Poor fellow he seems very ILL.,
Il am afraid he is" replid Wray
ford. II wonder if he has any friend
in France or England to whom w
can write. I will ask him when
come back"
I The French stranger was not abl'
to give him an answer upon his re
turn with the doctor-he was tossing
in his bed, and singing the "Marseil
laise" so very much out of tune tina
every drop of blood in Grace and thu
servants body had become curdled b,