The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-03-04

put between the mattresses. | leave
mat to you. But you must guard it, if
necessary, with your life, for remember
the money is not ours, and at all haz-
ards L am responsible. / don't really
suppose there is the least danger, for no
one knows [ have it. But one ought to
| take proper precautions, and | beg of
you not to admit any tramps while am
gone. Tell Sarah not even to allow
them to stop long enough to eat q bis
cult
"All right, dear; we won't let the
tramps have drink even, and I'll take
care of the money, you may be sure
Harry babe his wife goodbye and
Mamie gave up the picnic. At the end
OF two days she received telegram from
him, saying he had been detained, and
telling her to get some one to stay with
her for two days, when he would be at
home. She drove into town and one of
her old friends went out with her. At
the end OF two days she had another tel
egram saying he was detained until the
next day. Her friend went home, and
III place OF Harry came third telegram,
and 50 every day for ten days he was
expected home, and every day came a
disappointing telegram. By this time
she had become accustomed to her
charge, which she mad set, like bag of
| seed beans III a corner Of a dark closet
opening from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was a
hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had gone
upstairs to take nap and refresh before
| dressing to meet Harry, who was expect
ed home after the longest absence he had
| ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat and who
wouldn't be driven off.
You oughtn't to leave him a minute
alone, Sarah. Go down and watch him,
and | will come down and send him off"
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
1t had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found another messenger
with another disappointment, but the
next day without fail, Harry wrote he
would be home. AS Mamie turned into
the kitchen she heard the tramp and
Sarah in evident dispute.
Eyes, said the fellow, "when that
time comes, your mistress will have an
other ironing table, helping you, instead
of wearing her Sunday clothes every
day
"An' spoilin' everything for me to do
over. | think [ see her. I've work
enough to do" answered honest Sarah,
not indlspOsed to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found groceless-looking fell
low, unshaven and addressed, who with
a certain gentlemanly instinct, rose up
as she came in.
g suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be a
great kindness If you will leave as soon
as possible"
Yes, she did just that, madam, but
L took it upon myself to believeit wasn't
so urgent. The truth is, I'm very hun
cry aud dead tired, and | didn't believe
but that you would give me something
to eat, at least I've waited to ask you in
person."
Women are soft-headed creatures.
Mamie went and got him something to
eat, herself. The darkness that had
been increasing for sometime came down
rapidly, and there burst one of those
terrific thunder-stOrms that gather so
suddenly and with such force in this
country. After its strength was spent
and [ remember that it was the most
violent of the season-there fell ste adv
sheets of rain that brought Rock creek
over the bridges before morning.
Madam, it's no use Of talking. You
can't mean to send fellow out IN such
| a storm" said the tramp rs the three
stood on the porch watching the storm.
I'm sorry, but I've nc place for you. p"
IN n
pity there isn't Granny for a stow
away. | was walking around it, waiting
for the girl, and 1t seemed to me 1t
ought to be able to hold three people. :"
You are very imperuuent. l tell
you L have no place for you, and the
storm is already breaking away"
AS she spoke even the rain came down
II binding sheets, and lightning
! streaked the heavens.
"Well, he said, carelessly, "we don't
! go much on manners on the road, but |
know [ wouldn't send dog out such a
night as this. I'm not a particular chap,
leastwise not nowadays, and I'll have to
insist on your giving me some sort OF
shelter, if its only your dog-kennel."
The man spoke with decision. Ma
ME felt that, after all, they were really
in his power, and possibly it might be
worth while TO do civilly what she would
! probably have to do at last.
'' L Will keep you on one condition, %
she said. There is loft to the house,
a sort of garnet, which is very cOmfOrta-
BILE. 1t is closed with a trap door, and
you may sleep on the lounge there if you
! will allow us to lock the door on the out
side"
Bless my stars and carriers - he said
looking at her curiously. 81 don't care
where you lock the door"
They took him up stairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door as he politely babe
them good night, and they fastened the
paddock, hearing him chuckle to himself
as he kicked off his boots.
"Pd take the key, mum, \" said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her, and the
two descended to shut up the house.
After they had made everything secure,
they went back up stairs.
"You must sleep In my room tonight,
| Sarah" the mistress said. Sarah
dragged in her bedding, and made pal
1 let on the floor, and then, after the Gus
tom of women, they examined the closets,
looked under the bed and piled chairs
against the locked door, The rain was
still falling heavily, and the night black
as ink. The mistress and maid went to
bed, and although worried and anxious,
finally went TO sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself
awake and bright light shining in the
room. She started up and saw that il
was the moonlight. The storm had
cleared away at last. She got up, un-
able to compose herself Immediately
and went to the window. The moon was