South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-19

came into the sitting room for fresh tow
els and some wine for tho sick man.
Tue cage has been OF some use after ALL
Addie Nelson blushcd holly. but made
no reply; in fact, she felt little ashsm.
cd OF herself.
You have done thing no one else in
Baycross would ever have thought Of
doing, Miss Abbie.' she managed to say,
just rs she was leaving the house.
We'll. perhaps SO. He didn't look
like very fine bird when | first caught
hun, but he improves. really think
him quite handsome. Don't you want
TO take n look at him?'
No indeed said Adde, with shud-
der; 'tramps are so villainous looking
Oae day in the beginning OF March,
the invalid opened his eyes TO con scious-
meas and spoke oOherenuy for the hrs, time.
Who arc your ho asked, looking
straight in Miss Abbie's face.
Il am your nurse. You have been We.
ry i'll, and hope you won't try TO talk
until you are quite strong again
But how came | here? and where are
those fellows who knocked me DOWN.
What do you mean?' asked Miss Alb.
ing, bu! startled by his words.
4 mean that some fellows attacked me
as was walking through u quiet street.
| remember they knocked me down, and
| suppose they struck me senseless.-
Did they take my watch?'
Miss Abbie was sure now tia. lie was
very delirious.
There. lie down, she said soothingly.
and will get your medicine and some
nice hot BROTH
But please .ell me how ! came here
and want my watch he said, plead
ingly.
Then Miss Abbie told how she had
found him in her unteuanted house.
But you need not worry about your
heing here dependent upon us. she said.
we are willing to keep you until You
arc quite strong again, and then, if you
are willing TO lead al industrious, sober
life, my father may be able to get you
some steady work on farm or in q store.
We have already spoken about it 10 sew.
eral friends who may be able TO help US.
BY Jove = cried tue sick man, with en-
ergy what 90 you take me for?'
well. suppose you rc-a-a tramp,
faltcred Miss Abbie, in all simplicity.
He sank back on his pillows, closed
his eyes, and smiled.
Madam lie said, after pause Of a
few moments, Il am not tramp. and /
do not know Why you should take me
for one. l travel on the cars when | 90
about the country. My name is Charles
Arund!c, and camo to Baycross 30 Wis
it my sister, Mrs. Nelson
Colonel Arundlc = gasped Miss Alb
bic. ooh, IL can not be possible! Why,
you were in rags when found you
Then those villains stole my clothes,
cried the invalid, for | didn't come ia
10 Baycross dressed in rags, / can as
sure you
Then there were explanations and
questions, and the whole story was at
length plain.
Colonel Arundle had left his trunks
in New York 10 be kept until called for
had taken train TO Baycross, and ar
irving late at night, bad started 10 walk
to his sisters house. lie lad been fal.
len upon in dark street by party OF
tramps, who had thrown him down,
struck him on the head, and divested
him OF every article Of apparel he had
on. thinking 1t, doubtless, o good Joke
TO put on him the dirty suit Of one OF
their number. Then they had carried
him 10 Miss Abbies vacant house, rails.
"a window, and dropped him inside
leaving him TO hi4 fate.
Miss Abbie sent for Mrs. Nelson and
Ad1io in hot haste, and they were soon
% the cottage, full of surprise at seeing
The colonel and hearing his singular sto.
ry, and loud in their praises Of Miss Abbie.
As soon q he was strong enough 20
bear the journey, the colonel was taken
TO his sisters house, and in a few weeks
was entirely well.
Miss Abbic was washing the break.
fast dishes in the kitchen one morning
four weeks after tue loss OF her patient.
v. en- she hcard knock at the hall door.
fastening 20 open il, towel ia hand, she
saw that her visitor was Colonel Aruu
die. lie had been TO tho cottage sever
al times since his recovery, but Miss Alb.
bic hal understood that he was now pre.
pairing TO return 90 alfcrnia. and had
not expected TO sec him again. She
ushered him right into the kitchen whore
II mas warm and cosy, and gave him the
most comfortable chair.
Miss Abbic, he said, abruptly, don't
you think it is time your handsome Gaze
was teBantod2'
so you have heard that old joke. said
Miss Abbie, trying to smile, but with
tears starting ~ her blue eyes.
Yes, have. and know low YOU
caught q half-dcad, wounded bird, Ab
bic; and how You cared for IL like an
angel. Won't you let that bird live in
the cage the rest Of lis life. AbbieY com.
ing close 20 her chair, and bending o.
yer her tcn1erly and hc needs n mate !;
he IL too old TO sing, FOR fO.ty years have
gone over his head but he has learned
to love you dearly. speak 20 me, dear.
est; you understand me, know.
Miss Abhie, instead Of saying yes to-
this h,r irst offer, burst into tears. and
sobbci rs if she was very miserable !;
uI' she vas very nanny.