Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-01

able way OF running up into the TAI
sctto. "No, | will leave nothin'." lie
got up and pulled his hat further over
his eyes. "Nly time is yours, ma'am,
so como along. sooner or later, It's all
the same"
Miss Eliza could not summon suf-
ficicnt strength to move, but when the
tramp winlicd at her slowly, then COW
cred his mouth with one of those dread
full little hands of his, and INDUCED In
silent laughter, she jumped to her feet
with nervous haste and led the way
into the house with rapid though
tremulous movements. They went FROM
dining-room to parlor She shut her
eyes as tho silver teaspoons, candle
sticks, tcaset and cake basket were
placed in the rccesscs Of the calico bag,
and IL was scarcely cheering to be told
that the "hummin' birds had best be
saved till later, and would do TO orna-
mcnt the top" The paper cutter in the
parlor and the silver salt cellars were
also swallowed up Then the two wend-
cd their way up the narrow staira
The tramp became every moment
more juhilant, and Miss Eliza moro
wretched. Miss Eliza fully expected
to be deliberately murdered when they
reached the second floor This tramp,
with his smiling mouth and hollow
eyes, with tho smooth, small fingers,
the convulsivc laughter aud the cavern
Gus voice, was surely tho kind to torture
one 10 death, and hug himself ecstatic-
ally ut the sight Of ones dying agonies.
Wherefore she went up the stairs one
step at time, till the tramp snapped
his ilugcrs and begged her to step
little lively. Poor Miss Elisal in all
her plump and peaceful life she had
never dreamed Of such hideous excite
ment
At the head OF the stairs was the
door that opened into Panlinc's room,
and to this the tramp motioned her.
They entered. II was n pretty place.
The sunlight filtered through the apple
trees and the ruillcd curtains, and lay
cool and shining ON neat mating and
the little white bed that stood In the
corner Watcrcolor sketches wore
stuck up In every direction, and ON the
opposite wall hung n picture of Paul
inc, done by herself II was not very
good, and for moment or two the
tramp paid no attention To II, Then IL
caught his eye. lie took long stride
forward, and stopped as though spell
bound with admiration. Then, clutch
ing Mt his breast convulsivcly, and with
eyes still rlvctcd upon the picture, he
said In his hollow tones:
"Who may yon angel bc?"
Miss Eliza had moments hope that
all this was but dream, for the tramp's
every moment seemed TO grow more
unreal and like nightmare. Then
her fears redoubled, and she weakly
whispered:
my niece, Pauline"
"Paulinel" repeated the tramp In
cctasy, and again: "Pauline!" Then
lie let go the bag, fell on one knee,
clasped his hands, and raised them to-
ward the picture.
80, pure and lovely angell" no ex-
claimed "What goodness and what
beauty shine from thy heavenly facet
How sadly those holy eyes look into
my sinful soulp'
Miss Eliza's jaw dropped weakly.
| Perhaps this was the most astonishing
OF all the past half hours experiences.
| To be sure, Pauline was pretty girl.
but there had never, us far as Miss
| Eliza knew. been any marked holiness
In her expression or conduct.
The tramp now got upon his feet
"Mn'am," he said, ~ am converted,
and It's all the work OF that angelic
creature. l am a-goin' TO give up my
evil life, and you will be the first of tho
many new leaves l am about 10 turn
over. But remember, II Ia all her doin'l
| You will have TO thank her that the
cake basket remains In the family, and
that yer still n-woarin' that hair
brooch. Only, there is one condition
that make" his voice grew moro hol-
low, and he laid his hand on his hidden
revolver "Swear that you will treat
her like an angel, and that you will
refuse nothin' abe may ask OF yer.
Sweari or"
Miss Eliza swore.
Farewell, Pauline" said the tramp,
with another long gaze ut the picture.
"rm agoin', but I'm carryin' yer image
with me In my heart"
lie left the room, and Miss Eliza
| heard his Footsteps down tho stairs,
down the gravel walk and down the
road till they died away In silence.
Then she fell down upon her knees
and clasped her desecrated household
gods TO her ample bosom, murmuring
broken thanks.
Half an hour later, and half milo
down the road, two girls were together
In au upper room. One, who was small
and fair, was sitting on tho floor, both
feet curled under her, her chin between
her hands and her elbows on her knees
an attitude showing enthusiastic In.
terest. The other who was tall and
had fine eyes, stood before the glass.
Her hair was good deal tumbled and
her hands were dirty; she was busy
| ,.,,hhtu., l,.rpt eorlr on her nha N nd