The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-04-07

his night-gown, he made him laugh with story before being carried off to bed.
 "Your folks can't possibly get home tonight" he said, when Jennie ap- peared, having left her little charge quietly sleeping. at storms harder every minute. But they'll be along bright and early in the morning, so don't you mind, but go and lie down with the boy and I'll camp here in front of the fire"
 "But you won't be comfortable, sir"
 Once more the peculiar expression fitted across the mans face.
 "Comfortable! Pll get the sweetest rest Eve had for many long night !"
 Jennie did as she was bidden. She threw herself, still dressed, on the couch of her little brother. It was long before she slept, for as the storm beat against the window panes, she could not repress a sharp anxiety for the safety of those she loved.
 "What should l have done if this man had not come?" she thought. "He may be odd, but he is very, very kind"
 She lost consciousness at last, and when she awoke the storm was over and the sunshine streamed in at the eastern window. As she sprang up, hardly able to collect the scattered memories of the previous night, the sound of distant bells came to her ears.
 "They are coming '" she cried, joy fully. Hastily she opened the door of the living It was empty, and the fire smouldered low on the hearth. Her strange guest had gone suddenly and unannounced as he had come.
 "He didn't wait to see father, and he had no breakfast" mourned poor Jennie. "What must he have thought of me to sleep so late as this?"
 She ran to the outer door just as her fathers sleigh came in sight-the stout horses struggling bravely through the heavy drifts. A cheer and hallo rang out, answered by her own clear, joyous ones. The sleigh reached the door, and in moment Jennie was in her fathers arms,
 "My poor little girl! Ton are safe. 1 was afraid-hasn't anybody been here?"
 "Oh, yes we haven't been lonesome either, have we, Tony? A man came he had been caught in the storm and he was so good! He fed the cat tie and made the fire, but-only think !-l slept so long that he went away without any breakfast"
 "Yes-he only robbed me of my money, I suppose, and spared you. Well, Pm thankful for that"
 "Robbed you, father! Why, lie was a good man. He played with Tony and did all the chores"
 John Harman picked up scrap of paper on the table, on which was scrawled, Good by, little girl don't tell your father that anybody came, and always be good to those that ain't good themselves"
 "That proves it," he said. I saw that man watching us yesterday, when we went over the brook, and he must have cut down that tree to pre- vent our getting back last night. He did it to rob me-" John Harman TuSHeu out OI the rOOHl, put Qulckly returned, in state of excitement and astonishment. "Why," he said. "he hasn't taken it, after all p'
 Of course they never could know the whole story, but they guessed part of it. The farmer had in his house a considerable sum of money which he was soon to pay toward clearing the mortgage from his farm. The strange visitor must have known this fact. He certainly watched John Harman and Steve as they went away from home. Probably he cut down the tree of which Jennie's father had spoken in order to delay his return until he had time to get well away. Then he had come to the house, not because he was caught in the storm, but because he had some plan. which no one doubted was robbery.
 John Harmon always believed that it was Jennie's innocent fearlessness and perfect trust in the rough man that changed his mind, and saved him from the loss of his money Youth's Companion.