The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-07-21

was expected nome, ana every day came
a disappointing telegram. BY this time
she had became accustomed to her
charge, which she had set, like bag OF
seed-beans in a corner of 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 be-
fore dressing to meet Harry, who was
expected home after the longest absence
he had ever made from her.
After time Sarah came up and told
ier there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat and who
wouldn't be driven off.
"You oughtn't to leave him minute
alone, Sarah. Go down and watch him,
and I win come down and send him
Off"
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
it 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.
"Yes," 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 l see her. I've work
enough to do" answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found graceless-looking fell
low, unshaven and addressed, who with
a certain gentlemanly instinct, rose up
as she came in.
81 suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be
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 hun,
cry and dead tired, and didn't believe
but that you would give me something
to eat, least I've waited to ask you in
person."
Woman 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 gath
er 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
steady sheets of rain that brought Rock
creek over the bridges before morning.
Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't mean to send fellow out in such
a 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 house like this. It's
pity there isn't Granny for stow
away. l was walking around it, wait
ing for the girl, and it seemed 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 streak
ed the heavens.
"Well,' he said, carelessly, "we don't
60 much on manners on the road, but
know l 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 it's only your dog-ken-
nell"
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
probably 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-
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
outside"
"Bless my stars and gartersr' he said
looking at her curiously. II don't care
when you lock the door"
They took him up stairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
woman shut the door as he politely babe
them goodnight, and they fastened the
paddock, hearing him chuckle to himself
as he kicked off his boots.
''Id 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 drag
ged in her bedding, and made a pallet
on the floor, and then, after the custom
Of women, they examined the closets,
looked under the bed end piled the
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 wor-
RED 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, una
BILE to compose herself Immediately, and
went to the window. The moon was in |
deed shining brightly. As she stood
looking at the peaceful scene before her,
she saw way down the road, for it was
as bright as day, several horsemen. 1t
was such an unusual sight at this hour |