The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-10-15

lucky heroine, who looked up gratefully to
end the tramp bending over her.
"Oh! Pm so glad you came,n she began,
brokenly, 81 think l should have died here
all alone"
compassion in his voice, as he knelt beside
her and lifted her to an easier position,
with a womanly tenderness in his touch
that filed her with a sense of rest and pro-
lection. She was absolutely obliged to
lean against him. No thought of her COM
promised dignity ever entered her head:
Looking up at him wonderingly she noted
now a great contrast between him and her
whilom gardener.
Together they discussed the best means
of getting home. She suggested that he go
to the cottage for the basket carriage, to
which he agreed after some remonstrance.
Then she ~illogically refused to be alone,
and finally consented to be carried home in
his arms.
If there is any one virtue in this nun.
lane sphere of ours sufficient in itself to
make q saint, 1t is the self-abnegation of
the ordinary young man who could bear
such q precious burden for fully two
miles, and not tighten his bold oven the
smallest perceptible bit. Whether Ella
took this fact into consideration or not
does not transpire, but when he laid her
tenderly and almost rnverently 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 Gaynor is coming tomorrow.
Ella is confined to her bed. Mrs. Winters
feels anxious and worried. Next morning
Jan a that the "hired man" is not to
be found, but at the same Tina declares
that every thing is in the best of order.
Mrs. Winters draws a sigh of relief, and
Ella says nothing. No one suggests a
fresh flower for the parlor, and there is
everything but a spirit Of gladness in the
house.
They have to carry Ella to the parlor
lounge, where they prop her up with
pillows. She looks like a sad, sweet pict-
ure, with her golden brown hair floating
loosely, aud forming a framework for the
fair young face.
At five O'Clock a grinding of wheels was
heard on the gravel outside. and a minute
later Mrs. Winters was holding out both
hands to a tall, ~gray:haired man-Willie's
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 l was 60
ing to ask you," replied Mrs. Winters.
81 suppose the young rascal will want
an extension of leave" continued Mr.. Gay
nor, not seeming to notice Mrs. Winters
remark, and with a sly glance at Ella.
Ella returned his glance with one of blank
bewilderment, and while they were all
looking askance at each other the door-bell
received a very peremptory tug, which
nearly startled them to their feet.
"That's his ring" said Mr.. Gaynor; "he
always will turn 1t into a fire-alarm."
Jane opened the door promptly, but stood
rooted to the spot. in establishment as a
young man stalked past her, and went,
sanf ceremony, toward the parlor door.
Them returning to her domain in a sort
of stupor which took away even the power
of thought, she sank helplessly into a chair.
Meanwhile, the cause of her perplexity
was endeayoring to explain how his ire
p%ressible love of adventure prompted him
to adopt the role of tramp lend trying to
look as contrite as the laugh in his mis-
chieyous 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 concen-
trate a ferocious glare upon the culprit.
Mrs. Winters protested valiantly that
"she know him all the time" AS for Ella,
she just flashed one reproachful glance at
him and then bnried q very crimson 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 different feel
ings which had been depicted thereon dur
ing the last half hour. But her heart,
which had been eddying round in distress
for the past month, was fast settling down
to a sense OF rest, and a great peace was
ance marred this happiness. She registered
a silent and determined little VOW to have
satisfaction for this joke, of which she had
clearly been the victim.
"He shall never, never know that I cared
for him; he shall not think that I fell in
love with a tramp" she thought, with a
determination which was clearly en-
phasized by the firm closing of the small,
red lips, and her face grew crimson at her
own thoughts.
"You will not send me away" said
Willie in q low tone, as he tried to take
her hand. II claim pardon on the merits
of at least one good turn. What would
lave become of you if L had not been play
Even tramps can be useful sometimes" he
added, with mock humility.
Her color came and went beneath his
glance. She was sorely nonplussed-van-
pushed.
"Shall 1 go home with father tomorrow
Ella:" he inquired, looking straight into
the eyes which vainly sought to evade him.
"You ought to-" she replied, p~etulautly.
you've lost a whole month for nothing,
and scared us almost to death into the
bargain"
AZ don't think it was time lost" he an
swered musingly, half to himself. "And ]
think 1 saved one little girl from dire de-
struction."
"What will people think?" she went on
not deigning to notice his last words
what will JAM say?" Here a faint smile
betrayed itself around the corners of her
mouth as the extreme righteousness of the
situation became more apparent.
Young Mr.. Gaynor made a desperate
effort to assume a contrite expression, bu1
at this %juncture he laughed outright.
Gas for Jane,' he answered, 81 think
lave a stout ally there and am sure thai
she at least will have none the less wei
come for me-"
There is little more to be said. The mis-.
chief loving tramp had so far won his way
into all hearts at the cottage that he die
not leave it until he carried away tn
owner of the most rebellious, but witha
the most loveable one.-!H. -HdhOney, i,
ChicdUO Times.