The Penn's Grove record., 1885-02-28


~ | should not have any fear if
we're to be alone for a week here" | re
pied, laughing at the idea of my being
frightened. Besides, you forget the
dogs-no one need fear much where
they are"
However, I was destined to be left
more alone than / anticipated /: for
towards eight O'Clock, Jane came and
asked me if | would allow her to run tC
the village with a message for her mis-.
tress which she ought to have attended
to before. 1 gave permission at once.
But, Jane,"I added, as a parting
injunction, do not be any longer away
than you can help"
Indeed | won't, Miss Cannon" she
said, ''for | am leaving some beef boil
ing on the fire, AND it will be done to d
turn in a quarter of an hour, and
shall be back by then" So she went,
and | heard the door bang behind her
and | was soon lose to all recollection
/ Of the outer world in the deep pleasure
Of a paper chat with my dear ones al
home,
The sound of a heavy football IN the
hall reused me and l was just going
to see who it was, when the door opened
and a mar stood ia the Doorway com
mon tramp, with a face like a bulldogs.
l must have turned pale, for | felt very
faint.
"There's no call for you 10 be any
ways afeared, mum, +" he said-''I amt
agoin' to do you no harm but the truth
is L am pretty nigh starving, and | want
you to come and show me where the
grub is KEEP"
l knew | dared not refuse, though |
felt my limbs tremble so that | could
hardly stand but l am generally self
possessed, and, by a powerful effort at
~self-coutrol, | mastered my voice to
some degree of steadiness.
Listen to me, my man. l said ''if
you want food you shall have it, and
welcome, provided you will leave the
house as soon as you are satisfied"
"Well, we won't make no rash prom
ises, mum, !" he replied, grinnlng. Just
you come along with me, and give me
tue best you can lay your hands to-"
Oh, why-why did | not have the
dogs in with me this night of all othersY
How miserable l was, and bow help
less | l felt ready to sink to the ground
with intense fright. Suddenly-how
it came to me l shall never know--a
bright idea came into my head, and |
mustered all my strength and resolution
for the execution of it.
"Now. my man." L said, following
him INTO the kitchen, you shall have
a good supper for once, but you must
be patient while l move about, for |
have hurt my foot, and | cannot walk
very well. Sit down by the fire while l
lay the table for you. Do you like
boiled beef ?"
"Don't l |" he replied, smacking his
lips. Just put it afoIe me, mum. |
says no more !"
All this time / was moving about.
getting bread, a plate, a knife and fork
and laying them on the table ; then /
went TO the fire and lifted off the pan
containing the boiled beef, which l took
! out and laid on a dish.
"Now come and eat" 1 said TO the
man land make haste over it If you
do not want Mr.. Martyr to return and
ind you here"
swell In course the master might
object to my company, " be replied, set
Ting himself at the table $50 1 will
hurry IS much as l car conveniently.
| say, mum, get me some beer, will
yer ?"
When | had got well out of the
kitchen l few not into the dinng-Ioom,
but to a side door III the hall which led
into the yard. In a second | had the
door open, and was across the yard UNI
fastening the dogs.
"Now, Mustard and Pepper, come ~
I said, as | returned with my Two
friends.
The tramp had evidently suspected
foul play, and had risen and was stand
lng at the kitchen door. He uttered a
frightful imprecation when he saw the
dogs.
Watch him, Mustard Watch him,
PepperP l said, pattlng the dogs
heads. Now, as long as you remain
perfectly quiet, the dogs will lie here
and only watch you but, if you stir,
they probably will tear you to bits" |
added. turning to leave the kitchen.
l felt quite faint now that my scheme
had been a success, and l knew the man
was safe until the, Rector returned. AS
L crossed the hall, l heard a knock at
the front door.
"Who is there P' I asked, too terri
fed by my recent fright to venture to
open it first.
sit is l, Miss CannOn-Ross :" and
never-di human voice sound more well
come than did his, coming as 1t did at
that moment of fright.
what is it ?" he asked quickly, as
the light in the hall fell upon my face.
Robbers |" 1 whispered ; and, after
a pause. l gave al incoherent account
of my uHwelcome visitor, in the midst
of which Jane returned I; and she was
equally ~astonlshed to find her kitchen
occupied as it was.
MIR. Ross stayed with me until the
! Rector's return, which was not until
some time afterwards. Mr.. and Mrs.
Martyr wers full of mingled admiration
and pity for me.
"You are quite a heroine, Miss Can
con ~ said Mr. Martyr. at was a
splendid Idea about Mustard and Pep
perl"
at was an idea born of intense fright.
| assure you there vas not much of the
heroine about me.
A few days afterwards ] heard chat
the man had managed to escape, before
his trial, from the lookup, and | felt in
daily terror of meeting him again. My
fears however were groundless, as ]
never saw him afterwards. l met some
one else though. a little later.
81 have been walking about like a
pickpocket all the morning, SAID Mr..
Ross one day taking my hand in his
and holding it tightly. 81 want espe-
eially to tell you something, Miss Can
non !; and l have been watching for You
so long"
.'Why need you ?" | asked. "You
knew where | was to be found. You
could have come to the Rectory."
"Dl," he said, placing both his hand
on my shoulders and STOPPING owe me,
"what | have to say to you | must say
to you alone. l want to tell you that
ever since | saw you | have loved you,
and | must tell you of it. Ii you can
care for me, say SO, darling, and make
me one of the happiest fellows in the
world. do you love me, Di ?"