The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-11
BY HUGH WILSON AND w. G. BENET.

much, but they softened some of tn
outlines. His timid knock at the bacl
door was answered by q buxom Irisl
girl. AS the door opened, there rushed
out the fragrant incense of roasting
turkey.
"I am hungry" he began. "I'v'
had nothing to eat to-day"
The door began to close. he put hi
hand against it.
"For heavens sake give me some
thing, if it's not more than a crust O.
bread !"
It was the hero "Lieutenant Jim
who was pleading for just few mouth
fuls. The door opened little.
"Ye're hard-looking tramp, ye are,
said the girl.
81 know it, admitted the lieutenant
"And the mistress is mighty particu
lar" continued the girl. "The last one
of yes we fed just ran away wild the
shpoon, though, to be sure it was ar
ould iron one. Yes mighty ugly fell
low"
"Perhaps. But don't steal," as.
serted the ex-soldier. "Now think 8
minute! I've eaten nothing to-day.
Give me bit of something. I'll eat il
in the back yard-anywhere."
"Well, come in" said the girl doubt.
fully. "I'll take my chances. There,
set in that chair and don't shpake wur.
rud."
She hustled around and soon handed
him plate loaded with cold meat and
bread, generous slice of butter on the
edge, and . bowl of milk to keep the
food company.
"Pitch in now p she ordered. You
tind to your business and III tind to
mine, but no thavery."
Dinner had not been served. He
heard the hum of distant conversation
and little bursts of laughter in distant
room. Now and then some one struck
piano. The ieutenant's keen eyes
swept the kitchen and the pantry. Be-
fore him was a wealth of pies. A pot of
coffee on the stove bubbled up its in
cense. The turkey sizzled and cracked
in the oven. Dishes of apples and nuts
and raisins were upon the long table.
Everything betokened unusual festivi-
ties.
"A party ?" he said, nodding toward
the front part of the house.
Thanksgiving day |" was the senten-
tious reply.
"Ah so it is. I had forgotten it. It
is q day not down in nv almanac"
The girl stopped as if to say some
thing, but changed her mind and went
on with her work.
A door opened and little fairy of
girl perhaps six years old came in to the
room. She stood with her hands be-
hind her, and watched the "man" eat.
His plate was nearly empty. He feltlike
one intoxicated.
"Were you ever hungry, little one ?"
he asked of the miss, scraping the last
crumbs off his plate.
"Lots of times but never 30 hun.
cry as you. And I don't eat in the
Kitchen"
"Nor I, either, always but I like
it." said the lieutenant. rubbing his
mouth on the back of his hand in lieu
of napkin. In fact, it's fiue."
"Don't yes talk too much now, Miss
Laura /" ordered Bridget. kneeling to
baste the turkey. The small girl shrug-
ged her shoulders and pouted.
Is you really tramp ?" asks Laura,
coming little nearer.
GA first.class one," says the lieuten-
ant. "look at nv boots" and he bal
anced his feet on his heels.
"They's real funny. They's laugh
ing," said the child, stopping over to
study the chasms in the toes.
"Dont your papa wear such boots ?"
inquired the man.
"I amt got no papa" the girl re-
piled.
"Nor T." laughed the tramp, but the
child was very sober.
"My names Laura, what's your
name ?" she asked a moment later.
"My name ?" said the lieutenant, his
face becoming very grave. My name ?
haven't any. Host it long ago."
"Did anybody find it ?" was the ques-
tion sagely propounded. She stood
close to him now, one hand on his knee,
and wistfully looking up into his face.
A something he saw in it overcame
him, and he bowed his head in his
hands.
"Don't be imperent p said Bridget.
"Lave the man alone I think you'd
better be going, SIR"
The leftenant raised his head.
81 think 80, too." He looked again
into the child's face-stooped down and
kissed her.
"My hat!" he demanded, sharply, as
he turned away.
1t was near the dining.room door,
where Bridget's dress had swept it. He
stopped TO pick it up. at the same in
stant the door opened and handsome
woman, richly dressed and not more than
thirty years of age, stood in the door
way. AS he rose his face looked into
hers. His hat dropped from his hand
and he staggered back.
80 God p he cried. cit is Marian"
A quick cry of surprise and JOY came
from the lips of the woman. She placed
her hands on his shoulders and gazed
lovingly and mutely into his face. The
mans head slowly dropped.
Husband, look at mel" she cried,
catching his hands in hers.
81 cannot, I dare not. See what I
am Remember what I was-to you,"
he said.
"Always my husband, James, and
always forgiven"
"Always your husband ?" standing
erect and with wild vigor in his atti-
tude. Marian, I heard that the law
had freed you from me, because I struck
you when I was drunk, and in my shame
deserted you when I was SOBER"
cit was all false. T have waited for
you for five long years. I knew you
would come back some day. Now you
are here. Poor, poor husband! How
you must have suffered! Come with
mel Laura, child, comel The back
way is clear"
Still he hung back. 81 am not fit, 4"
he said. 81 am forever disgraced. Lee
me 60 away and come back again some
time when I am no longer tramp"
"James, this is Thanksgiving Day.
1t is our day, if anybody's. You must
come. You are no longer a tramp,
thank God Come 1t is home again
for all of us y and putting her arms
around her husband she led him out of
the room and out of his bondage.
- IL Il L.