The free press., 1892-11-10

But as Matty fluted the borders of
lace with a quick, efficient hand,
thinking the while what she should do
replace the missing pie in time for
Aunt Ann's dinner, softer mood
came over her.
"Poor wretcl" she murmured to
herself. ''Perhaps he was hungry.
He certainly did look pale and tired,
and his rags were dreadful. | wish
hadn't snatched those clothes back. 1t
wasn't real nice and ladylike of me,
now come to think of it. | wish"
All of sudden, Matty Vernon made
up her mind as she hung Aunt Ann's
lace cap on the nail by the window.
She set her rosy lips together; her
eyes glistening determination.
Down through the golden CLEAN of
the ripening rye field went a little
curving path close to the stone wall,
crossing the brook on narrow plank,
and often losing itself in wooded
copse, joined the main road close to a
peaceful. willow-shaded graveyard.
Here ten minutes afterward, Matty
Vernon came upon the tired tramp
sitting on the stone wall.
"Oh, here you are!" said she. 81
thought l should overtale you if l
took lhe shortcut. I've brought you
a tin of coffee and some sandwiches
and piece of home baked ginger
bread. I'm sorry spoke so cross to
you; but, you see, | was vexed TO see
the dinner pie gone, and the cup Gus
iards. too. And here are the clothes.
Pm afraid You need them very much.
"Thank you," said the man, defect
edly. "You see, haven't always"
ooh, never mind all that" inter-
rupted Matty, mperiously. 81 know
about having seen better days and
tHut eoit VI tiii'S' Due you iooiiy
ought to be little more particular
about the truth"
Unconsciously Matty had fallen
into the air that she adopted when she
was haranguing her Sunday school
class. Her bright eyes sparkled; she
emphasized each point by tapping her
foot Oh the ground and lifting her
berry stained foretinger in the air.
eyes, but"
.'You should go to work." said the
girl. "You can't expect always to
tramp about the country. 1t will end,
sooner or later, in the county Jail, and
You are too smart-looking man to
bring up like that"
The man, eating his bread and meat
and drinking his coffee, listened meek
ly until she stopped for sheer lack of
breath.
"Yes," said he, with sigh. "But,
you see, I'm not tramp. Oh, /
know appearances are against me"
as Matty's glance reverted to his
wretched tatters; "but really am
not tramp. You see"
The sound of approaching wagon
wheels startled the girl.
"Oh, l dare say!" said she. 'But
l really can't stay any longer talking
| must get back. Here's quarter
for you. Mind you don't spend it for
beer"
And flinging the coin towards him
it missed its aim and rolled to the
foot of old Deacon Jobley's grave
stone. whence the man rescued it with
prompt dispatch-she vanished back
into the wood path and was seen no
more.
Half an hour later, Squire SomeH
set, examining pile of law papers IN
his office, was startled by the sudden
appearance of tall figure in his door
way.
"Nothing for you, my man-go
along" said he curtly, without look
ing up.
"Thats always the wayP' sighed
resigned voice. 'Irs Move on
wherever go. But I've moved on
just about far enough, old man."
And he perchcd himself composeoly
on the office desk.
The squire stared.
"The voice." said he, sis the voice
of Frank Atherton, and the couh'e-
nance also bcareth witness thereto !
But the faded corduroys and the vel
vcteon coat are the coat and cordnroys
of old Job Vernon, who died TWO
years ago. Ola fellow" (claspInS