Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-03-04

Piled, laughing at the idea of my being
frightened. Besides, you forget. the
dogs-no one need fear much where
they are"
However, | was destined to be left
more alone than / anticipated 4: for.
towards eight O'Clock, Jane came and
asked me if | would allow her to run To
the village with a message for her mis-
tress which she ought to have attended
to before. gave permission at once.
But. Jane" added, as 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 a
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 paper chat with my dear ones at
home.
The sound of heavy football IN the
hall reused me /; and | was just going
to see who it was, when the door opened
and man stood ia the doorway COM
mon tramp, with a face like bulldogs.
l must have turned pale, for | felt very
faint.
There's no call for you TO be any
ways afeared, num-" he said-''I amt
agoin' TO do you no harm but the truth
is am pretty nigh starving, and want
you TO come and show ne where the
grub is KEEP"
! knew 1 dared not refuse, though
felt my limbs tremble so that could
hardly stand but am generally self
possessed, and, by a powerful effort al
self-control, mastered my voice TO
some degree of steadinesS.
"Listen TO me, my man, said ''if
you want food you shall have it, and
welcome, provided yOa 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
the best you can lay your hands to-"
Oh, why-why did | not have the
dogs in with me this night of all others?
How miserable / was, and how help
less l felt ready 10 sink to the ground
with intense fright. Suddenly-how
it came to me | 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." said, following
him INTO the kitchen, ''yOu shall have
a good supper for once, but you must
be patient while [ move about, TOR |
have hurt my foot, and L cannot walk
very well. Sit down by the fire while |
lay the table for you. Do You like
boiled beef ?''
Don't y he replied. smacking his
lips. Just put it afOre me. mum. /
says no more ~
All this time L was moving about.
getting bread, 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 took
out and laid on dish.
''NOw come and eat" said to the
man ''and make haste over it if you
do not want Mr. Martyr to return and
ind you here.
''Well, in course the master might
object to my company" he replied, set
ting himself at the table $50 L will
hurry as much as 1 can conveniently.
L say, mum. get me some beer, will
yer l''
When 1 had got well out of the
kitchen | flew not into the dinlng-IOom,
but to side door III the hall which led
into the yard. In second | had the
door open, and was across the yard IN
fastening the dogs.
"Now, Mustard and Pepper, come T.
1 said, as L returned with my two
| friends.
The tramp had evidently suspected
foul play, and had risen and was stand
ng at the kitchen door. He uttered a
/ frightful imprecatiOn when he saa the
dogs.
''Watch him, Mustard Watch him,
Pepper !" l said, pattIng 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.
felt quite faint now that my scheme
had been a success. and L knew the man
was safe until the Rector returned. AS
1 crossed the hall, l heard a knock at
the front door.
"WhO is there ?" I asked, too terri
/ fed by my recent fright TO venture to
open it first.
at is l, Miss Cannon-Ross :" and
never did 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 ~ whispered and, after
a pause, gave an incOherent account
OF my uHwelcOme visitor, in the midst
of which Jane returned and she was
equally aStonlshe0 to find her kitchen
occupied as it was.
Mr.. 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 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.
l | assure you there was not much of the
I heroine about me.
! A few days afterwards ] heard that
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. met some
one else though. little later.
81 have been walking about like
pickpocket all the morning." SAID Mr..
Ross enc day taking my hand in his
and holding it tightly. Il want espe-
clally to tell you something, Miss Can
non and have been watching for you
so long," q.
"Why need you ?" asked. "You
| knew where | was to be found You
/ could have come to the RectoTy."
3d." he said, placing both bis hands
on my shoulders and stoopIng over me,
.what have to say to you l must say
to you alone. l want to tell you that
ever since 1 saw you 1 have loved you,
ard / must tell you of it. If you can
care for me, say so, darling. and make
me one of the happiest fellows in the
world. DO you love me, Di 2"
Love himi Had not been loving
him without knowing it for a long time
past ? Had not his voice become the
sweetest, his face The dearest, and his
/ football the most musical 70 me of all |