News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-03-02

/
her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was
a hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had
gone up stairs to take nap and re-
fresh before dressing to meet Harry,
who was expected home after the long
est 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 would
not be driven of"
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
it had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found also a messenger
with another telegram which announced
another disappointment, but the next
day without fail, Harry wrote, he would
be at 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
another ironing table, helping you, in
stead of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day."
San spoilin' everything for me to do
over. 1 think see her. I've work
enough to do" answered honest Sarah,
1 not indisposed to have a chat over he1
work.
| Mamie found a graceless-looking fell
low, unshaven and addressed, who with
certain gentlemanly instinct rose up
as she came in.
''I 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"
eyes, she did just that, madam, but
I took it upon myself to believe it
wasn't so urgent. The truth is, I'm
very hungry and dead tired, and 1
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 some time 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 I remember that it was the most
violent of the season-there fell steady
sheets of rain that brought Rock Greek
over the bridges before morning.
MADAM, it's no use talking. You
can't mean to send fellow out in such
storm" said the tramp, as the three
stood on the porch watching the storm.
I'm sorry, but I've no place for you"
"What, in a house like this. It's
pity there isn't Granny for stowaway.
I was walking around it, waiting for the
girl, and it seems to me it ought to be
able to hold three people"
"You are very impertinent. tell
you have no place for you, and the
storm is already breaking away"
As she spoke even, the rain came down
in binding sheets and lightning streaked
the heavens.
''Well," he snid, carelessly, "we don't
go much on matters on the road, but 1
know wouldn't send a dog out such
night as this. I'm not particular chap,
leastwise not nowadays, and I'll have to
insist your giving me some sort of
shelter, if it's only your dog-kennel.
The man spoke with decision. Mamie
felt that after all they were really in his
power, and possibly it might be worth
while to do civilly what she would prob
ably have to do at last.
81 will keep you on one condition."
she said "There is loft to the house,
a sort of garnet, which is very comforta-
bic. 1t is closed with trap-door, and |
you may sleep on the lounge there if
you will allow US to lock the door on
the outside"
'BIess my stars and gartersP' he said,
looking at her curiously, "I 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
bade them good night, and they fastened |
the paddock, hearing him chuckle to
himself as he kicked off his boots.
''I'd take the key, num-" said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her and the
two descended to shut up the house.
After they made everythingsecure they
went back up stairs.
''You must sleep in my room tonight,
Sarah, the mistress said. Sarah dragged
in her bedding and made pallet on the
floor, and then, after the custom of wo-
men, they examined the closets, looked
under the bed and piled chairs against |
the locked door. The rain was still |
falling heavily and the night was 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 it
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
indeed shining brightly. AS she stood
ooking at the peaceful scene before her
'he saw down the road, for it was as
bright as day, several horsemen. 1t was
such an unusual sight at this hour that
lhe stood watching them as they came
nearer. To her surprise they turned up
'he lane leading toward their house and
IN reaching the gate came into the yard.
Now, almost paralyzed with fear, she
Jaw that they were masked. The truth
almost blinded her. They knew that
The was alone, that she had this money
md they had come to get it. For a
she was paralyzed. She re-
nembered Harry's last words: "You
must guard it with your life if neces-
ary."
She ran TO the sleeping Sarah and
her. She got down Harry's
life, which be had loaded and taught
Ter to use. The sleeping girl was soon
thoroughly awake, and she explained to
Ter their condition.
" It's the tramps that's done it."
"The tramps. No. Sarah, the key,
he key of the attic"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the