The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1892-08-04
"I am Harry"

i was going to carry these preserves
down cellar" She dragged the jar
from the window lodge as she spoke.
"They are so heavy! won't you please
carry them for me! That is, you
know, if you would Just as lief" she
added hastily.
The gentleman stepped forward and
took the jar.
"Certainly," he replied courtcously,
his grave eyes regarding her, (which
way, please?"
"Down !hese steps if you will DO
so kind, please; my brother had an
outside cellar door put in under this
side porch. A fortunate thing, and
very convenient"
al shouldn't think such steep stairs
very convenient" said the gentleman.
ooh! dear, no, you are right. They
are not convenient" replied Miss
Chaplin quickly. "Would you please
put the jar in a cupboard you will
find down there? You don't mind
the dark, do you? you are not afraid
of it? ! mean," she explained con-
fusedly, "you can see in the dark,
can't you?"
The gentleman, half way down the
narrow stairs, paused and seemed
about to speak, but his words were
lost in the clang of the lock on the
door as Miss Chaplin banged it to and
turned the key. Then she sank down
OH tho porch step, weak and
trembling.
Usually the first thought that comes
after some great danger or excitement
is trivial.
"Now," said Miss Chaplin to her.
self, "he will have a paroxysm and
break the preserve jar"
There was few moments of sus-
pense while she waited for some sound
to announce the arrival of the expect
ed paroXysm, but all was silent. She
began to feel sense of relief, almost
of exhilaration. Then the face of her
prisoner appeared behind the screen
in the small square ventilator in the
wall near the door. He watched her
moment or two before attracting her
attention.
Il have put the jar where you told
me to-" he said, "now may l come
out?"
"Oh! do stay little longer, please.
I'd so like to have you stay until my
brother comes. if you please. He'll
be so glad to see you! You will, won't
you? And it is cooler down there than
anywhere else. There is bench down
there and you can lie down and go to
sleep. 1t will do your poor head so
much good. There" she added coax
ingly, "go away from the window
now. l don't want to talk any more
nOw."
How glad she was that she had
fastened the inside doors, else he
might find his way up into the kitch-
Ell. The face disappeared, and she
grew courageous. and presently went
into the house and opening the piano
began to play soft airs that she fan
cied might soothe her prisoner to
slumber. 81 will not tell Frank and
Garlic until they are rested," she
thought"
They came before she expected
them. Carlie's face wore conscious
look, and Frank glanced about the
parlor expeciantly.
"Why, May" he began, "'where is
Harry? lie came this afternoon and
Garlic and stayed away SO that you
two might get acquainted. Have you
captured himP'
Mays face was picture of dis
may as hint Of the truth flashed upon
her.
T-Pm afraid l have, Frank" she
stammcred. "He-he is shut down
cellar with the vegetables. thought
it was the insane man."
And without another word, but with
an rll-get-even- wi,h-you look at her
brother, she ran up the stairs, followed
by Franks shouts of laughter, and
shut herself into her room.
Half an hour later Garlic tapped at
tho door.
''Come down, now, May" she said.
Crank has smoothcd the way for
YOU and has left Mr.. Briston in the
norlnr a1nna (omo uAu u,uef annl-