The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-06-22


linson start from his peaceful repose.
"Hello! What is the meaning of
this?"
At sound of that awful voice, the
household rushed up stairs-all but
Maude, who Immediately tainted dead
away in her room.
"IIiram listen to me-let me ex-
plainr'
"Explainr' roared Mr.. Hogan.
''Didn't turn this fellow out of my
doors a few hours ago9-and don't l
come home to find him not only again
in my house, but in my room-in my
bed9 And by the everlasting hockey"
as agitated Tomlinson rose up in bed,
sin my very clothes! Where are my
pistols? Let me get at him! Let me
fling him out of the window"
But here the cook and housemaid
rushed in, with shrill screams, and while
the former, assisted by Miss Pilkins,
dragged inturiated Hogan backward out
of the room, Betty hastily locked the
door and put the key in her pocket.
Left thus alone, Tomlinson armed HIM
self with the only weapon which pre-
sented-the fire tongs-and facing the
door, stood breathlessly awaiting the
further course of events.
He heard the retreating footsteps and
voices die away and a door violently
slam.
Then ensued five minutes of dead ST.
lence, at the end of which time quick
and heavy steps came along the passage
and the door knob impatiently ratified.
Augustus nerved himself, raised the
tongs above his head bravely and pre-
pared to defend his life.
Light steps now ran along the pas
sage, the key turned in the lock and the
door flew open, revealing Mr.. Hogan,
his sister and the female servants. lie
advanced toward TOmlinson with out
stretched arms and tears in his eyes.
Mr.. Tomlinson My dear young
friend! How can atone for my late
hasty conduct.-how thank you suf-
ticiently for SO heroically saving the life
OF my only and darling child2
The tongs fell from the young mans
hands as Maude's agltated father seized
and shook them, with a vigor which
brought tears into his own eyes.
Cook and Betty were already sobbing. 4,
"NIr. Hogan, SIR" commenced Au-
gustus, with as much dignity as was
consistent with the situation and his pc
culiar attire. 81 must protest. You
greatly overrate-"
But just here he was aware of covert
signals from Miss Pilkins, who was how
ering anxiously in the background.
You need not deny it, Mr.. Tomlin-
son." she said, aloud. ''But for you
"hN Jul htlolC CAcItIOuS, NhcIc WouIu
our beloved Maude at this moment be2"
can sure she looked, a-lyin' there on
the lib'ry sofy, with her eyes shut, an
white as a sheet, jes' for all the worl'
like the corpse she would a been now,
but for him." said cook, who, by
reason of long and faithful service, was a
privileged person in the household.
Come down stairs and see her." said
Mr.. Hogan, excitedly.
And Selling Mr.. Tomlinson by the
arm, he led him to where Maude, re-
covered from her fainting fit and flushed
with the joy of a sudden and unex-
pected happiness, was awaiting him.
"You saved her life," SAID the agi-
tated father, ''and she belongs to you.
There, take her! and may heaven bless
you both!"
Everybody retired from the room in
tears, leaving the happy lovers to them
selves.
Miss Pilkins, seated before the fire in
her own room, smiled cheerfully to her
self, as she Cazed into the glowing Goals,
while in the kitchen cook and Betty, re-
calling themselves on the remains of the
hot supper and teddy, declared how
beautiful it had all been, and wondered
when it would be time to commence