The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1890-04-03

MANY, many times. I've been in every
country on the globe Had to give up when
got sick. left the hospital three weeks ago,
and I'm making my way back to New York.
"HaSe you no friends nor wifep asked
Miss Elizabeth.
My wife died Eve years ago; am quite
alone"
"Alone," she echoed, land you scarcely
able to stand"
She leaned over and whispered something
to Peter, then said aloud: IF you like can
give you place to lie down in. Mebbe you'll
feel more clipper in the morning There,
you needn't thank me. 'Tain't nothing to
speak Of"
At twilight, while Lucy and Peter were
singing hymns in the parlor, Miss Elizabeth
went up to the vacant, cobwebby attic used
only as store room, made comfortable bed
on a cot and then called to the stranger to
come up.
YOU'D better lie down now. You look
,agged OUT" she said briskly; 'sbe careful to
put your candle out when you're ready for
bed"
The wavering light played with picturesque
effect on the silvery hair lying softly against
her brow. Her brave, self reliant little fig
ure caught mysterious charm from the
shadows piled up behind her.
"Wait-please wait a moment" said the
stranger, in a weak, choked voice, as she
turned to go. "Wil you shake hands with
me9 Thank you," as she gave her hand gen.
tly and wonderingly. "This day has been Of
pure gold. You're good woman. Your
charity does not sting"
The undercurrent of feeling in his tones
electrified her and she went away trembling.
What was there about this homeless one that
made her think of one dead to her these many
yearsa Miss Elizabeth began to despise her.
self as soft hearted old fool.
Bedtime came and she and Lucy sat for q
while by her window looking up at the clear
sky where the large stars burned, shedding
halo of star dust on the world. Then her
thoughts went back to him. Was he asleepl
No, impossible. He was doubtless wonder
ing YEARLY where he would drift on the NOR
| row and how it would all end.
Suddenly she and Lucy looked at each
| other with startled faces. What was that
sound9 They listened again. A stealthy
footstep, voice and little vibration as
something fell.
Hes not asleep at ALL" she said in an ex-
cited whisper. whats he doing now? Twas a
| fool to let him in, mebbe How do know the
him speakinga He's let in an accomplice while
we were downstairs. Oh, what fool wasl
Pm going to get Peter. I'll show him we're
| not SO green either"
"Let me go with you," chartered Lucy,
taking hold of Miss Elizabeth's skirts, and
without making a sound they crept through
| the dark halls to Peters door,
In a few moments he joined them, carrying
a revolver and a candle. Miss Elizabeth with
| stout cane followed, and Lucy, trembling
with fear, kept close by her side. When they
reached the door leading into the attic Miss
Elizabeth pushed Peter aside.
LET Inc 60 first. I'll face him." she said
in an indignant whisper.
She paused and bent her ear forward. Yes,
there was the sound again, and his candle
was still burning, as she could see by the
thread of light stealing under the door. She
turned the knob quickly and the trio burst
into the room without any sort Of warning,
and saw-not pair of thieves plotting rob-
bery-but the stranger sobbing like child
over little book pressed fervently in his
hands.
"What is it, What's he got there9n asked
Peter.
Miss Elizabeth knew. Her face grew white
as the kerchief around her neck 1t was a
little time stained volume of Goldsmith's
"Vicar of Wakefield" which her old lover
had given her In the early days Of their
courtship, and it had lain for many years in
the attic with babies cradles, toys, childrens
useless little garments and other dusty
tokens of the past. She looked at the thin,
wan face on which the candlelight played
1t was turned from her now in shame.
She stood erect, her eyes misty and ques.
tioning, her hands folded tensely before her.
SIS it Dicka" she asked.
Il meant you should never know" che old
man stammered, and she saw the tears steal
from beneath his lowered lids.
Why did she not hate himi Why did she
almost forgive him without question! The
why or wherefore was past her knowing
She only knew that the sight of him moved
her deeply.
But she struggled against the feeling that
well nigh overmastered her, and the pride of
stanch New England woman flushed her
cheek. No. she could not forget the bitter
ness # the past.
She felt the warmth ooze away from her
her heart. She became his Judge, and all the
details of her unhappy past rose one after an
other as witnesses against him. When she
spoke her voice was cold, and Peter had
never before seen such a bright, stern light
in her eyes