The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-07-28


moment later heavy knock resoundet
upon the door, Jennie fastened t,
open it, with Tony still awakened, il
her arms.
The visitor, who stood holding hi
horse by the bridle-rein, was a large
powerful-looking man, dressed in hunt.
er's garb, with brace of pistols in his
leathern belt.
Some little city maiden might
have tainted with fright at so formi-
dablc an apparition, but Jennie was
we'll accustomed to the rough exterior
Of the backwoodsman. The stranger
looked at her keenly, as the freight
shone upon her little figure with Tonys
golden head nestled against her shout
der.
give been caught in the storm. Can
I stay all night?" he said.
"Come in, sir" answered Jennie.
heartily. 1--WE are all alone, II and
the baby, for my father and brother
are gone to town; but 1 expect them
home every minute, and I'm sure they
wouldn't like me to let any one 90 on
in the storm. You can put your horse
in the stable yonder."
Without replying, the man led away
his horse in the direction indicated.
whence he soon returned, and taking
his place in front of the hearth, pro-
ceeded to dry his wet GARMENTS. His
face, which evidently had once shown
fine lines, wore a hard and bitter ex-
preston, as the Pickering shadows
played over his bent head and averted
eyes. A vague discomfort crept over
the spirit of the little hostess.
81 wonder if he's sick, poor man! he
looks so miserable-like," she thought.
Then she said aloud, "If you haven't
been to supper, sir, could take you up
some Of the pork and beans Pm keeping
hot for father and Steve, and 1 could
make you cup Of tea in a minute"
81 don't want anything" answered
the man, still without looking up.
Little Tony, who, by this time, was
broad awake, had slipped from Jennie's
arms and stood with great, blue, won
dering eyes fixed upon the stranger. 7.
was something wholly new to Tonys
short experience to find himself unno-
ticed By visitor, and he was evidently
bordering deeply the problem of this
ansolved personality.
He walked slowly up and down the
'oom, at each turn approaching a little ,
,earer the grim, silent figure before the
hearth. At last he paused, and stepping
7et closer, laid small, soft hand upon
he mans knee. Still there was no
esponse. The child's breast heaved.
lis breath came thickly, and a grieved ,
1pression curled his rosy lip. ;
Man." he said, with a tremulou,
ably accent, why don't 90 love little
oysr
The stranger started, and spasm of h
ncontrollable emotion swep. over his ,
earded face. He turned upon the 4
hid, whose bright hair shone like :.
Tory about his head, and with a swift.
voluntary action, drew him into his :,
rms. Some marvellous change had 8.
'ansfgured his face and softened the
ard lines like ice before the sun.
He held the child close, murmurinr a
yer him some inarticulate expressions
fondness, while Tony, on his part.
'cepted most graciously the tardy r
omage, tugged at the strangers watch -
lard, and laughed so merrily that Jen. :,
&c could not repress soft echo from a.
er own corner -
The man looking up, transfxed her ~
18th the same keen gaze as at hi, en- -
ance, only that now some new element \.
as added, "a questioning almost pain -
in its intensity. Looking at him, o
e would have SAID that the man felt ~
his fate hanging upon the answer ~
hich the young girl should give g.,
"Are you afraid of me2" he said. ~,
"Afraidr repeated Jennie, in gentle Q"
rprise. ''Why, no, sirl Surely YOU ,
'uldn't do any harm to Tony or me-" WI WI
"No more would ], so help me God!' w.
He rose and stretched himself to his SIC
IL height, like one relieved from some so'
tolera6lc burden. ga
"And rov ito