The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-04
A STRANGER.


side until they labored in the wind like
ships at sea. The last of the fog was just
disappearing, and curied feeeily up from
the woods and waters, rolling away in great
suIlen masses. In the north, 6 long line OF
snowclouds were sluggishly moving for
ward. There was something peculiar-al-
most sinister-in their slow, heavy forma-
ton, and the weatherwise fishermen of
shore watched them uneasily. and began to
draw in tackle and make preparations to
seek harbor.
On the land the farmers shook their
heads and FASTENED to get the last of tn G
pumpkins and apples under cover. OF their
own accord the cattle left IF grazing and
sought the barByaTds. Now and the II
stTRgglers from some frightened flock OF
wild geese few toward the south IN anxious
search of their mates.
Near the end OF the enc street Of the little
fishing hamlet was a weather. beaten, wood
eolored homestead of one story and lott,
surrounded by fence almost as old as the
house itself; but rs one passed through the
gateway ana up the gTass-growu walk into
the smoke-psinted kitchen, the poverty of
the outside surroundings was forgotten in
contemplation of the profusion inside.
At least this seemed to be the case with
the little ola woman who hobbled painfully
up the path 10 the half-open kitchen door.
Inere shs stops ed irresolutely; but the saw
ory smell of cooking was irresistible, and
sue pressed slowly forward into The low
doorway. The kitchen was fragrant with
the odOTS OF the Saturdays baking, from
the stove at the far end of the long room
room came a cheerful Kissing and sputter-
Ing, and ever il a woman bent In impatient
suspense Her back WIS toward the door,
aud she did not notice the great hungry
eyes that were fastened on the loaves of
bread and pres and cakes and cookies that
Fha F.ip fuht cfoY,
made the wistfhl eyes CLEAN, and the with
eTeu form trembled with eagerness. But
sire did not venture to cross the threshold.
On the floor two children were playing.
They watched the wOman's approach with
childish curiosity. The youngest rose 10
his fe-t and todd ed toward her. After gaZ-
Ing al her a few moments with his big Won
deriug eyes he leid up the cookie that he
had been nibbling. She hesiiated, then
took it and ate greediiy.
The boy laughed and went to get an other.
Bat at this moment Mrs. Barten looked up.
her face was flushed with heat and veXa-
ton; she was about TO speak sharply to the
children when she caught sight of the bent
figure liz the doorway, and her wrath was
turned OF all things she hated beggars
tie most! During the summer months
many OF them drifted I'D from the neighbOr-
ing seapOrts, and proved a constant source
of loss and YeXatiOn 10 the fishermen and
farmers. Mrs. BATten has suffered with the
rest, and as she turned from the stove her
lips were drawn sharply over her strong,
white teeth. She did not see the wistful
eyes and patient smile. What she saw was
& covering beggar, with some outlandish
kind Of head-COveTlng. and ragged shawl
closely drawn about the slight fUrm.
''Nel?" she said 10 q sharp, interTogatiye
tone.
The old woman shivered as though some
thing had struck her, but her face remained
perfectly blank.
"A furrineTV
Mrs. Barlen sprang forward and drew the
children from so dangerous presence. To
her a foreigner seemed all that was danger
Gus aud deDraved A sudden sputter re-
called her TO the stove, and By the time she
was again al leisure trace OF her natural
kindly DISPOSITION had come to the surface.
Taking generous handful OF cookies and
enc of the loaves of bread she returned to
the door. But the old woman had already
passed the riekety gate and WAS hobbling
slowly Down the street.
Mrs. BARREN looked after her regretfully.
Il wisht I'd a-given her suthin'," she
mutteTed as SIZE replaced the food on the
table; ''but the land sake aliye" she con-
81 timed briskly, alter a moments thought,
'why sh'd l feel sorry? Like as not the
cid tramp was Jest sylng round arter suthin'
10 steal. Most likely she'll have a dozen
snacks gin her before night. Here, you,
B0b'n Liza, come back 10 the house this
minute, an don't you dare 60 trapesin' out
agIn J" and with mind at rest and conscience
satisfied, Mrs. Barten returned to her COM
pounds OF fragrant odors.
Slowly the afternoon wore away: the
pies and cakes and cookies disappeared
from the table and were replaced by pans
Of crisp dOughnuts and heavy, spherical
ioaves Of brown bread with raised lines en-
eirciing them; with platters OF juicy meats,
Drowned to the critical point of perfection
and fisnked with dishes of yellow pump
kin and white turDip aud scarlet ranberrY.
As the table became crowded, these In turn
were taken to the storeTOom to await the
coming Of the great day." And still the
tired and flushed mistress of the kitchen
went on with her mixing and tasting and
baking.
The low, sullen line Of clouds became
more menaclng and crept on until they had
masked the entire sky. The wind grew
strong and was soon filed with the part
Gals OF swlTliDg snow. But Mrs. Barton
beeded not: time was too precious.
Its growing dark" she grumbled, as she
sid more pans into the oven; days are
pesky short this time o. year."
1t was only when a fierce gust of wind
hurled cloud OF snow against the window
that she looked up.
For the lands sakeW she exclaimed.
Its showing, n III lay dollar them drat-
ted children's out in it,"
hurrying 10 the door she called shrilIy:
Bob! Liza! March your boots in here
QuickeTn lgh,ningP'
Receiving no reply, she.muttered snprilv
Upstairs rummagln', most likely. seems
With all my work they might Quit their
didoes for awhile"
But when sharp call up the stairs failed
to elicit response she began to look an.
xiouS. Throwing shawl over her head
abe went out into the yard. Tho snow was
now whirling past 10 binding sheets. and
the keen wind cut one like a knife. AL
ready white drifts were forming in the
fence corners and the sheltered places. Oh.
jccis dozen yards away were becoming in.
distinct
a thorough search of the yard failed to
show any trace of the children, and she re.
turned to the house to decide on her nex,
move. She could not determine the direc.
tIon the childish feet had taken, and once
out of sight of the house, she knew there
was little probability Of their finding the
way back by themselves. There was nc
danger Of their being lost unless they wan.
dered away from the vilage, but Liza had
scarcely recovered from the measles, and
she had all mothers horror of wet feet anC
colds.
A smell Of burning bread drew her atten
ton 10 the stove. When she returned Il
the door she saw bent figure coming III
the path. A moment later and the OLD
woman stood before her; but now the rag
geo shawl was closely wrapped around ONT
child while another clung to her skirts, sub
blng bitterly. The strangers face was full
of wistful tenderness, but Mrs. Barter
did not see It, Assured of the children's
safety her feelings underwent a quick
change: Her child in the arms of dread.
fui 'inrriner! In moment she mad hur.
ried the little ones TO the fire and was re.
nving their outer garments. What con.
tamiDation and disease might not Turk In
the ragged shawl and drsggled skirtsl
She was aroused from her reflections by
"A nf hpa