The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-04-19

quietly sleeping. 1t 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 moro the peculiar expression
fitted across the mans face.
"Comfortablel I'll get the sweetest
rest I've had for many long night"
Jennie did as she was hidden. She
threw herself, still dressed, on the
couch beside her little brother. 1t was
long before she slept, for as the storm
beat against the window paues, shs
could not ropress sharp anxiety for tho
safety of those she loved.
"What should have done if this man
had not comet" 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 ablo to collect the scattered
memories of the previous night, tho
sound of distant bells came to her ears.
'They are coming~ she cried, joy
fully. Hastily she opened the door of
the living-room. 1t was empty, and tho
fire smouldered low ON the hearth. Her
strange guest had gone suddenly and
unannounced as he had como.
Gle didn't wait to see father, and he
had no breakfast" mourned poor Jen-
ME. "What must he havo thought of
me to sleep so late as this1'
She ran to tho outer door just as her
fathers sleigh camo in sight-the stout
horses struggling bravely through the
heavy drifts. A cheerful halo rang
out, answered by her own clear, joyful
torres. The sleigh reached the door,
and in a moment Jennie was in her faith
er's arms.
MY poor little grill You arc safe.
I was afraid-hasn't anybody been
here2'
ooh yes; we haven't been lonesome,
either, have we, Tonya A man came
he had been caught in the storm-and
he was so good! He fed the cattle and
made tho fire, but-only think IL
slept so long that he went away without
any breakfast"
'Yes---he only robbed me of my
money, I suppose, and spared you.
swell, Pm thankful for that"
"Robbed you. fatherl Why, he was
good man. He played with Tony and
did all the chores"
John Harmon picked up a scrap of
paper on the table, on which was
scrawled, "Good-by, little girl; DOM t
tell your father that anybody came, and
always be good to those that aint good
themselves"
"That proves it, he said. 81 saw
that man watching us, yesterday. when
we went over the brook, and he must
have cut down that tree to prevent our
getting back last night. He did it to
rob me-" John Harmon rushed out of
the room, but quickly returned, in a
state of excitement and astonishmcnt.
"Why," he said, 'he hasn't taken it,
after ALL"
OF course, they never could know tho
whole story, but they guessed part of
it. The farmer had in his house con-
siderable sum of money which he was
soon to p1y toward clearing the mort
gage from his farm. The strange WIS.,
itor must have known this fact. He
certainly watched John Harmon and
Steve as they went away from home.
Probably he cut down the tree of which
Jcnnie'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 somo
plan, which no one doubted was rob-
berry.
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. = Youths Com
panion.