The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-14

emphasis, and made the boy positively shudder.
Her little eyes snapped fire, and her wrinkled
visage looked dark and threatening, like the
great black clouds before furious tempest
ssTdsn't belong to you, and you have no right
to keep me-"
He felt now more than ever that he was Of
different kin, and he asserted this boldly.
GIVE got yer in my clutches, and III keep yer"
said she, with tremendous force, thrusting her
hands from her Ia aemoniacal gesture that
thing in all his life so awful as was this womans
attitude toward him.
She seemed possessed Of mad frenzy, and
the action of her long bony fingers sent chill
through the lads frame, as they worked so
threateningly. The nervous twitching Of her
mouth the movement of her deepsunEen eyes,
spiteful even wicked as it was-and the ominous
grating together Of the few black stumps in her
mouth, alarmed him. He inssinctively drew
farther away from her, that he might be the bet
ter prepared for whatever movement she should
make, and said In reply:
Yes, you probably stole me from my friends,
or you never would have had me-
I'D better never seen Yer, said she.
ssYou don't deny it, then7" replied the boy,
feeling he had gained point.
81 do deny ft-4steal an imp like you2" and she
spat expressively upon the Aoer. 81
.'I1ow did you gss me them said he, following
up the slight clew to the subject so dear to him.
"Neffe or yer business
EFT Is my business, and have right to know
Mother arirnmis held fast to the door, fearing
II she left It, he would in some way dodge her
and make his escape.
Ths boy noticed this and was shrewd enough
to try and hold her to this subject, till she should
become ealmer. He feared If. while so excited,
she were to discover that he brought home no
sack of rags serious trouble would follow. And
she had grown somewhat quiater, when she
made the dreadful discovery. Immediately fr-
ing up again, however, she demanded to know
where the pack was.
II don't know. TT
Don't knowP' interrupted she, anerily.
81 was going to explain, he replied.
yer bstter-mighty Quick. too
"But You interrupted me-"
FELL me, say, what you done with its" again
inrsrrupting him.
II stopped to rest, and set it down beside me-
and
"a pretty lie; yer sold IT to get money for YER
self, yer thief"
II told yeu the truth and am not thief,
much as you have tried to make me one," re-
piled the boy. with burning indignation.
''Tll show yer whether It's a lie or notw shout
ed the old hag; and, grabbing cudgel, she made
a desperate plunge toward the dsfanseless lad.
Stop where you are.' suddenly shouted q
heavy voice. and a tall, strong man sprang be-
tween Mother Grimmis and the boy.
This voice terrified her and she reiterated again
to the door.
: This has gone far enough" shouted he, in a
reSolute, determined tone.
What business is it to your retorted the old
bag, fairly trembling with anger.
''Tll make it my business to protect him from
any further abuse from you IL I'd known this
sooner, he shouldn't have stayed here as long as
he has"
Eyer robber, yeu," Kissed the old woman.
But the tall man made no reply, and, turning
to the boy, he said
ben, has this woman always abused you like
this9"
Ben-weN, so then that is the name of this
lad. am glad to learn so much of Mm-about
much I think, as he knows of himself.
But Ben was almost paralyZed with surprise
so much SO that he paused before replying,
and said to himself:
''Who is this strange mani He must know
me, for he calls me Ben. Have ever seen him
before2 and why does he take such interest in
meP' The above we publish as specimen
chapter of Mr.. Munseys new story,
which, as it progresses, develops a plot of
unusual strength 10 is Of the highest charac-
ter, and will prove treat to all lovers of in
teresting narrative. The continuation Of this
story from where it leaves off here, can be found
only in TIE GOLDEN ARGOSY. Ask your news
dealer for No 172 of THE GOLDEN ARGosY. If
he has sold his supply or never kept it he get
it for you, or, if you prefer you have it sent
to you direct from the publication Office, by
sending five cents in postage stamps to FRANK
A. MUNsEY. publisher 81 Warren street. New
York. THE GOLDEN ARGosY is the most popu-
lar family paper in America. It is beautifully
illustrated handsomely printed, and its contents
are of the most unexceptionable character.