Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-11-21

came the melancholy wall, this time
more distinctly on the night breeze. me
started quickly IN the direction Of He
sound, and was soon beside our unlucky
heroine, VINO looked up gratefully to
find the tramp bending over her.
"Ohl Pm so glad you came" she be-
gan brOkenly. 81 think / should have
died here all alone"
"You are hurt?" lie asked with tender
compassion in his voice. as ne knelt be
side her and lifted her TO an easier Do
sitiOn with a WOmanly tenderness IN his
touch that filed her with a sense OF rest
and protection. She was absolutely
obliged to lean against him. No thought
of her compromised dignity ever entered
her head. Looking up at him wonder
iDgly, she noted now great contrast be-
tween him and her WhilOm gardener.
Together they discussed the best
means Of getting home. She sugges ted
that he 90 to the cottage for che bask5 ct
carriage, to which he agreed after some
Remembrance. Then she logically re-
fused to be alone. and hually consented
to be carried home in his arms.
If there is any one virtue in this nun
dane sphere of ours sufficient In itself
to make a saint, it is the self abnegatiOn
of the ordinary young man who could
bear such a precious burden for fully
two miles, and not tighten his hold even
the smallest perCepible bit. Whether
Ella took this fact into consideration or
not did not tTanspire, but when he laid
her tenderly and almost reVerentIy upon
her mothers lounge a little later she
thanked him with a look in her eyes
which spoke palmer than words her
deep respect for him.
Willie GayOr is coming tomorrow.
Ella is confined to her bed. Mrs. Win
ters feels anxious and worried. Next
morning Jane says the "hired man" is
not to be found, but atthe same time de-
Glars that everything is In the best of or
der. Mrs. Winters draws g sigh of re-
lief, and Ella says nothing No one sug-
gests a fresh flower for the parlOr and
there is every thing but spirit of glad
ness in the house.
They have to carry Ella to the parIor
lounge. where they prop her up with
pillows. She looks ike a sad sweet pic
ture, with her golden brown hair floating
loosely, and forming a frame work for the
fair young face.
At FIVE o'clock q grinding of wheels was
heard on the gravel outside, and q min
ute later Mrs. Winters was holding out
both hands to a tall, gray-haired man
Willie father. The greeting over, he
looked around as if expecting to see
some one else, and at last, to every ones
surprise, asked, ''Where is Willie?"
"Just what 1 was going to ask your"
replied Mrs. Winter.
81 suppose the young rascal Will want
an extension of leave" continued Mr..
CaynOr, not seeming to notice Mrs.
Winters remark, and with q sly glance
at Ella, who returned his glance with
one Of blank bewilderment, and while
they we're all looking askanCe at each
nF6nv tho door h11I ran1fvr1T O yyarvy v,1v
emptOry tug, which nearly startled them
to their feet.
CHATS his ring" said Mr.. Gaynor;
she always viii turn 1t into q fire alarm"
Jane opened the door promptly, but
stood rooted to the spot in establishment
as q young man stalked past her, and
went, sans ceremony, toward the parlOr
door.
Then, turning to her domain in a sort
of stupOr, which took away even the
power of thought, she sank helpless into
a chair Meanwhile the cause of her
perpleZity was endeavOring to explain
how his irrepressible love of adventure
had prompted him to adopt the role of
tramp, and try to look as cOntrite as the
laugh in his misChievOus brown eyes
would permit.
81 should have cautioned you against
him, Margaret" said Mr.. GaynOr. trying
to look severe. 81 might have guessed
that he would play some trick on you.
Even his own father is not free from his
Jokes" continued the old man, trying to
concentrate a feroCiOus glare on the Gull
prit.
Mrs. Winters protested valiantly that
"she knew him all the time" AS for
Ella, she just flashed one reproachful
glance at him, and then buried a very
crisOm face among the pillows.
Willie Gaynor sat down beside her,
made an unsuccessful effort to obtain her
hand, and tried to read her face, which
was not an easy task owing to the differ
ent feelings which had been depicted
thereon during the last half hour. But
her heart, which had been eddying
round in distress for the past month,
was fast settling down to q sense of rest,
and a great peace was stealing upon her.
A little throb Of vengeance marred this
happiness. She registered a silent and
determined little VOW to have satlsfac-
ton for the joke, Of which she bad clear
ly been the victim.
che shall never, never know that I
cared for him; he shall not think that /
fell in love with a tramp" she thought,
with a determination which was clearly
emphasized by the firm closing Of the
small, red lips, and her face grew Grim
son at her own thoughts.
on viii not send me aWay?" said
Willie; in a loT tone, as he tried to take
her hand. 81 claim pardon on the merits
Of at least one good turn. What would
have become Of you if I had not been
playing my role the evening of your ac-
cident? Even tramps can be useful
he added, with mock hui
mility"
Her color came and went beneath his
glance. She was sorely nonplussed-
Vanquished.
"Shall I 90 home with father to-mor-
row, Ella?" he inquired, looking straight
into the eyes which vainly sought to
evade him.
you OUGHT to, she replied, petuIant-