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

Til bring in some more logs for Il
fire."
"How kind you are, sir! I'm SUI
father will thank you q thousan
times"
Thank me yourself, child I'm nc
doing it for your father It'slong sine
anybody had cause to thank me, ant
the sound is sweet"
He opened the door and went GU
through the binding snow. Returning
a half-hour later, he replenished the
fire, raking the Goals together till a rec
blaze mounted high in the great chin.
ney. Then catching up Tony in his
night gown, he made him laugh with q
story before being carried off to bed.
"Your folks can't possibly get home
tonight" he said, when Jennie reap
peared, having left her little charge
quietly sleeping. 1t storms harder
every minute. But they'll be along
bright and early in the morning, so
don't you mind, bu. go and lie down
with the boy, and I'll camp here in
front of the fire."
"But you won't be comfortable. sir"
Orce more the peculiar expression
fitted across the mans face.
Comfortable! 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 panes, she
could not repress sharp an xiety for the
safety of those she loved.
"What should 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.
md the sunshine streamed in at the
astern window. As she sprang up.
hardly able to collect the scattered
memories Of the previous night, the
ound of distant bells came to her cara
They are coming" she cried, Joy
ully. Hastily she opened the door of
he living-room. 1t was empty, and the
re smouldered low on tn, hearth. Her
TRANCE guest had gone suddenly and
nannounced as he had come.
"He didn't wait to see father, and he
ad no Breakfast" incurred poor Jen-
lie. "What must he have thought of
lie to sleepso late as thisf'
She ran to the outer door just as her
lther's sleigh came in sight-the stout
orses struggling bravely through the
eavy drifts. A cheerful halo rang
1T, answered by her own clear, joyful
res The sleigh reached the door
Id in a moment Jennie was in her faith
g arms.
My poor little girl! You are safe.
was afraid-hasn't anybody been
.re2'
'Oh yes; We haven't been lonesome
ther, have We, Tonyi A man came
had been caught il the storm-and
was so good! He fed the cattle and
ade the fire, tut-only think II
pit so long that he went away without
y breakfast" U
"fes---he only robbed me of nv b
'ney 1 suppose, and spared you.
Veil, I'm thankful for that" .
Robbed you. fatherl Why, he was
rood man. He played with Tony and =
I all the chores" =
John Harmon picked up a scrap of n
per on the table, on which was 4
awlod, "Good-by, little girl; don't
your father that any body came, and
rays be good to those that amt rood p
j.
That proves it." he said. 'Tsav :;
It man watching US, yesterday, when VI
went over the brook, and he must
re cut down that tree to prevent our II
ting back last night. He did it to D.
me-" John Harmon rushed out of u
room, but quickly returned, in a p
'e OF excitement and establishment. 70
n.y." he said, 'he hasn't taken il. u
= ALL"
u course, they never could know the til
Die story, bit they guessed a part of ar
The farmer had in his house a co, en-