Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-03-30

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 1 beg of you
not to admit any tramps while am gene.
Tell Sarah not even to allow them to
stop long enough to eat biscuit"
"All right, dear; we won't let them
have drink even, and I'll take care of
the money, you may be sure"
Harry bade his wife goodbye and
Mamie gave up the picnic At the end
of two days she received a telegram
from him, saying he had been detained,
and telling her to get some one to stay
with her 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
in place of Harry came third telegram
and so 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 had set, like a bag of seed
beans, in a corner of a dark closet open
ing from her room.
1 ~ @1eSAAOOh VA VIC ICHbn Joy do q
hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had gone
up stairs to take a 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
her there was tramp down stairs who
wanted something to eat, and wouldn't
be driven Off
/ avon fF,'f 70 Ian 70
alone. Sarah. Go down and watch Eim,
and will come down in a moment 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 disappointment, but the next day,
without fail, Harry wrote he would be
home. As Mamie turned into the kitch-
en- she heard the tramp and Sarah in ev-
ideLt 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. l think | see her. I've work
| W duSWcIcQ uOucob
not indispOsed to have a little chat over
her work.
Mamie found a graceless looking fell
low, unshayen and i'll dressed, who with
certain gentlemanly instinct, rose up
as she came in.
81 suppose my girl told you we had
nothing to give you, and that it will be
great kindness if you will leave as soon
as possible"
"Y es, she did just that, madam, but |
took it upon myself to believe that it
wasn't SO urgent. The truth is I'm very
hungry aud dead tired, and / didn't be-
lieve but that you would give me some
thing 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 ter
ritic thunder storms that gather so sud
denly and with such force in this coun-
try. After its strength was spent-and
l remember that it was one of the most
violent of the season-there fell steady
sheets of rain that brought Rock creek
over the bridge before morning.
MADAM, it's of no use talking. You
surely can't mean to send fellow out
in such Storm" said the tramp. as the
three stood on the porch watching the
| storm.
"Pm sorry, but L have no place for
you"
what, in house like this It's pity
there isn't Granny for a stowaway. l
was walking round 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 come down
in binding sheets, and lightning streak
ed the Heavens.
"Well," he said, carelessly, I'VE don't
60 much on manners Oh the road, hut |
know wouldn't send dog out on such
a night as this. I'm not particular
chap, leastwise not nowadays, and I'll
have to insist on your giving me some
kind 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 prob
ably have to do at last.
az will keep you on one condition"
she said. There is a loft in this house,
sort of garret, which is very comforta-
BILE. 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 out
side"
"Bless my stars and garters" he said,
looking at her curiously. II don't care
where you lock the door"
They took him up stairs, and he climb
ed up the steep attic stairs. The women
shut the door as he politely bade them
good night, and they fastened the pad
lock, hearing him chuckle to himself as
he kicked off his boots.
"ld take the key, num-" said Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her and the
two descended to lock up the house. AT
ter 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 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 fall
ing 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 was shining in
the room. She started up and saw that
it was the moonlight. The storm had
cleared away at last. She got up, unable
to compose herself Immediately, and
went to the window. The moon was
Is - L \
she saw down the read. for it was bright
as day, several horsemen. 1t was such
an unusual sight at this hour that she
stood watching them as they turned up
the lane leading towards their house aad
on reaching the gate came into the ward.