Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12

u6rSeu.
"You look surprised, little one," said the
man. "Afnt they told youi Now that's a
shame for 1t to come on you SO sudden. But
they was wrong thinkin' wanted to drown
you We was so poor, you see couldn't
bear to see you a starvin' before my very
eyes. and so thought I'd put an end to both
OF US at once; but they don't let folks have
their own way in this blessed country that
they calls free, SO they fshed you out and
put me in prison all on misunderstanding !"
''Oh, it was all true, thenI"
The mans words were an awful corrobora-
ton Of what she had heard at school
"Now, little one, I'm hungry enough to eat
you most I've run away from prison, too
You must hide me, and bring me something
to eat"
"Oh, can't-T'-
There's no such word as CAN'T said the
man, with an awful frown "It's well seen
hain't had the bringin' of you up. You
must do just as say. What's to bender me
takin' you with me to help beg. or do the
work for neF'
This awful prospect quite subdued the poor
child.
you might hide In the hay in the barn."
she said, her heart beating hard at the pros
pect, land when l can l will bring out some
food"
"And something to drink"
II can get some milk, may be-" said the
trembling little girl.
"PoohI milk-naw!" snapped the grimy
man, In voice that made the poor child
jump. "Coffes of the strongest kind Say
do they lock this barn at nightT'
"Yesn
Non, al - l.. - -
out to me. want TO get off in the night
Mind, if you don't do just as say, I'll claim
you in the morning. Noone can keep child
from its own father"
Shuddering from head to foot, Elsie showed
the man into the barn, where he made HIM
self bed in the hay.
Then the child went back into the house,
quite crushed with the misery that had come
upon her. She felt SO sure of the truth of it
all, and such dread lest this terrible parent
would carry out his threat, that she did not
say word to Mrs Ford
Il think Elsie must be ILL.," said Cicely as
she watched her; ''she has not looked right
Since she came from school"
On being questioned, Elsie admitted that
she had headache, and the tears came into
her eyes as Mrs. Ford bent down to kiss her
good night.
Oh, how she longed to sob out all the terri
BILE story on that kind breast, where she had
found shelter in all her childish troubles.
But the horrible phantom of that grimy man
who waited for her in the barn kept her back
The thoughts Of what her life might be, filled
her with cold horror. She laid aside her
pretty, dainty clothes with vision Of herself
in rags, tramping down the long roads and
beppinp from door To door IF yroS oil raa1
to her as could be; she never paused to doubt
or question. Oh, how pleasant the soft bed,
white as a snow drift, but warm as wool, felt
to her tired limbs; for the nervous strain had
tired her, and she longed to sleep.
She had asked God to help her, but she did
not see how he could. But perhaps he
would find out way. However, no miracle
happened for her, and she got up softly at
last, trembling from head to foot, and put on
her clothes. She thought Of mamma and
Aunt Cicely in the pleasant sitting room in
the front Of the house. 1t was bright there,
with the students lamp on the table, and
mamma with her work Aunt Cicely was
reading to her. She could hear her voice.
Oh! they were safe, and never dreamed of
the poor child who was stealing down stairs
with shudder, to get the key and go out in
the dark and open tho barn for that dread
full man.
Perhaps he would take their horse and
ride away and she would not dare to stop
him. She felt like shedding a tear at poor
Charles possible fate. Yes, he would surely |
take tho horse, to save himself from the |
tramp, and he could escape SO much faster.
At this thought she stopped short, with the
key in her hand, and a great pain at her
heart. All, she dared not stop now. She !
must go on. She stood O moment shivering
at the back door, looking out into the night |
There was no moon, and the trees seemed |
trembling in a low wind Fantastic shadows
appeared to be budding together. The way
to the barn seemed long and dark. She had |
a basket with loaf and some cold meat, all
she could find.
She must shut the door now and leave her
self on the outside. She caught her breath,
and grew very cold, and hesitated. The next |
moment hand grasped her arm and drew
her back.
SIS tit Is Elsie" cried Mrs. Ford in
amazement. "Why, I do believe the child is
out Of her head. Why, Elsie, child, what
are you doing with basket and breadf Yes,
it Is bread and meat And what's in the
other hands The key Of the barn, do de-
clara"
Elsie burst into tears, and could not speak
Nervous chills seemed to shake her from head
to foot.
'Tell me all, darling" said Mrs Ford, ten
derby; don't be afraid. Is any ono in the
barnp
"Its-my-my father, come back from
prison." said Elsie, land he's in the barn"
"Your father, child Now 1 know you're
out of your head"
A ray Of hope came like sunshine into e.
sie's heart.
"You are my own mamma, thenf' she
cried, clasping Mrs. Ford's neck with afec-
lion.
Dear, am not your own mamma, but
love you oil the same" said the gentle wo-
man, kissing and soothing the child, "and
this man is an impostor, for your own father
and mother are dead. They were wrecked
1t sea, but you were saved by brave sailor.
So we took you to be our own little daugh-
.er."
Taking the trembling child on her lap,
Mrs Ford drew out all the story.
eve Gill leave the wretch safely locked
Ip till the morning" she said at the end,
and papa will be here to settle him"
Then was really flshed up out Of the
xaterr said Elsie, still very unhappy. "Bus
Regina made up the rest"
This t1-arrD was undoubtedly linrprino /