Connecticut western news., 1881-03-02

when the clock struck twelve.
 els it possible?" she cried, "noon already, and not thing cooked for dinner! We'll, children, there's bread and cold meat and some jam in the safe, and we'll make cup of tea and have picked-up dinner.
 Picked-up dinners, with tea and jam, are things not to be despised by chil- dren. They sat down, merry, noisy party, to the table.
 "Hush, children l" cried Deuce, "don't you hear somebody knocking at the hall door?"
 cone of the neighbors, I suppose" said Deuce. "Go, Arthur, and see who it is.
 In few minutes the boy returned, breathless.
 "Its horrid old man," he cried, "with gray beard, and such a red face, and such dirty hands and he asked for the master of the house, and I told him pa was Ill town, and he said he must see you, Deuce, or-somebody."
 Deuce felt her heart beat little quicker when she reached the hall door and saw repulsive, grimy-looking man, who had seated himself on the gallery.
 "Well. sissy" he said, with an inso- lent grin. "Im desperate hungry, and reckon you've got to come across some meat and bread fur me. Better fetch it quick lest I take bite at you."
 The tone was one of command, and after a little while Deuce saw she must obey.
 "Better not be too scared to bring my vittles p he called out, "or may be I'll foller you in spite of locks p
 Deuce felt that the locks would be of little avail if the man chose to enter the house. She hurriedly filled plate and carried it to him.
 "This is all we have in the house," she said, quietly.
 Without word he seized it, and Deuce watched him ravenously devour- ing the food like some wild animal.
 "Got any whisky or wine ?" he growled.
 "No; nothing but milk" and she brought him pitcher full. She tried to appear unconcerned, shipping the dead leaves off of her geraniums, and whistling to the mocking bird in the cage; but she knew that the hard gray eyes were watching her every move ment.
 "Aint you scared gal, to be left here alone?" the tramp said, as he rose and slung his dirty bundle over his shoul- der.
 "What would harm me ?" she said with faint laugh. "My parents will soon be back"
 The man then went boldly into the hall, and Deuce saw him look up stairs and into the rooms on the lower floor. She tried to appear cool and indifferent; but when he marched out of the house
 without word of farewell or thanks, she felt like uttering cry of relief. She watched him disappear in the woods, and then returned to the frightened , children.
 This unexpected incident cast gloom
 over her spirits that she could not throw off A sudden shower of rain came ur
 late in the afternoon, and she began tc fear her parents would remain at Oak port all night. The rain, however, helc up before suDset, and her mind was made up tLat she and the children mus not remain alone in the house tt
 night. She felt assured that the tram1 would return.
 Without expressing her suspicious ? she said to Alice, "I must run to Oak port, if you don't mind staying littl. 5 while alone with the children" "But what do you mean by going a - this hour ?'' cried Alice. "Pa and m, will be on their way back, I reckon" "It's a great secret p and Douc laughed. or tried to laugh. "Youl
 know all about it when get back ' She left the house and walked rapid ly until she got to the woods, but then l. turning from the path, she moved eau " tiously, looking on every side, and witt 5 the e'stealthy step of an Indian. = About halfway through the woods , she paused, and looked intently befor [ her. Then quickly she seized yin ,- and swung herself into magnolia tree T that was so draped by the gray Spanisl
 moss that even it's leaves could hardl
 be discerned.
 Q When seated on the tree, she wa |. completely hidden from view. Soon al l. ter there was cracking among tn bushes, and two men came in view, on D, of them her friend of the morning, an 7o the other quite as wicked looking h They were lounging slowly along, paus m ing every now and then, and their word k came distinctly to her. +o "Think he'll be back to night ?" sai <. one.
 "Of course. He's left his children a 2, alone, and he and the ole ooman will t l. sure to go back. Wish he'd left her il home. Two stead of one, and one o
 'em squally ooman, is hard to mal h age"
 d "Did you see the money? Mayt
 he'll leave it in his store.'' 0t "Got 1t arter the bank shut up. Go h Sparks, he counted it out, three hu1
 dred dollars, and I heard Tureau sa, re Reckon I'd better take it home t, at night, as they say there's tramps t, town Didn't know was listenin' ou to side."
 'd "Whar's the best place to wait ft