The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-07-15

dead leaves off of her geraniums, and
whistling to tie mocking-bird in the
cage; but the hard gray eyes were
watching here every movement.
"Aint you scared, gal, to be left
here alone?" the tramp said, as he
rose and slung his dirty bundle over
his shoulder.
"What would harm me?" she said,
with 4 faint laugh. my parents will
soon be back"
The man then went boldly into the
ilaIl, and Donce 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 a word of farewell
or thanks she felt like uttering q 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 up late in the afternoon,
and she began to fear her parents
would stay in Oakport, all night. The
rain, however, held up before sunset.
and her mind was made up that she
and the children must not remain
alone in the house that night. She
felt assured that the tramp would re-
turn.
Without expressing her suspicious,
she said to Alice, II mustrun to Oak
port, if you don't mind staying a little
while alone with the children"
But what do you mean by going at
this hour?" cried Alice. "Pa and ma
will be on their way back, I reckon"
cts a great secret" and Douce
laughed or tried to laugh you'll
know all when [ get back"
She left the house and walked rap
idly until she got to the woods, but
then, turning from the path, she NOV
ed cautiously, looking on every side,
and with the stealthy step Of an In
dian.
About half way through the woods
she paused and locked intcntly before
her.
Then quickly she seized vine and
swung herself into a magnolia tree
that was 50 draped by the gray Span
ish moss that even its leaves could
hardly be discerned.
When seated on the tree she was
completely hidden from view Soon
after there was a cracking among the
bushes, and two men came in view,
one was her friend of the morning,
and the other quite as wicked looking.
They we're Iounging slowly along,
pausing every now and then, and their
words came distinctly to her.
Think he'll be back tonight"
said one.
"Of course. He's left his children
all alone, and he and the ole CONAN
will be sure to go back. Whis he'd
left her at home. Two stead Of one,
and one Of them 4 squalIy CONAN is
hard to manage"
did you see the money? Maybe
he'll leave it in his store"
"Got it arter the bank shut up Col
Sparks, he counted it out, $500, and
l hoerd Tureau say, Reckon I'd bet
ter take it home tonight, as they say
there's tramps in town Didn't know
| was Iistcnin' outside.
Whar's the best place to wait for
him?" said Douces acquaintance.
"The best place where You kin see
furtherest, is the peddIer's tree. You
take your stand there, and III watch |
near town, and foIler him behind. |
When he comes up, YOU AK for a dime
and I'll be ready if he kicks up a row
when We eases him Of a few more
dimes
IL don't want to do any KILN eff it
can be helped" said the other ruffian.
we can gag. the CONAN. But look |
here, Dick, | don't like doin' the job
on that spot. They say Amos is a
walkin' round Of a night, and maybe |
the ghost will appear"
you're a blasted fool!" cried Dick.
you get to your post, and don't be a
sneakw
They separated, Dick going toward
town, and the other sIouching slowly /
along in the other direction.
Douce's heart beat like a sledge-
hammer. She could not 60 to town,
for the only path was blocked up by /
the rufian. She felt sure her parents
would be murdered, for she knew that
her father would resist to the death.
BY this time, they must be on the way. |
Thonght after thonoht snread |