The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-17

lex OK SEEM DISTURBED.
the same time Samantha dextcriously
drew the revolver from his sash, and
hid it in her pocket Now she was mis-
tress of the situation. Eat that pie"
she sternly said-"Eat that pie. and be
thankful for it."
The stranger looked up apologetic-
ally, and then resumed the struggle,
Samantha gazing on him meanwhile
with merciless severity. When it was
all gone he pushed away the plato with
an air of relief.
II struck bedrock all the time" he
said. My teeth feel as if they'd run
against band saw"
Now" said Samantha, you'd bet
ter go''
The stranger crossed his legs and
leaned back again.
Il reckon I'm in no hurry" he said
calmly. Its sorter tired me out
wrastlin' with that pie ofyours. There
was a powerful lot of trength in that
Gosh! What's this?'
This" was the muzzle of his own re-
volver facing him from the other end
of the table. go, and repent or I'll
shoot YOU" said Samanth tina in tragic
tones. Oh, if the girls could only see
her nowl
The stranger did not blench or talter
or seem disturbed. There was quiz
zical light in his blue eye. well" ho
said, II do call that mean!" and he
gazed at her reproachfully.
''Why?" asked Samantha feeling
somehow that she was making herself
intensely ridiculous.
well, l put it to you" said the
stranger: DO you consid er it the fair
and square thing to shoot man after
working off on him pie like that? If
you'd done it before 1 wouldn't have
said word; but after" and he shook
his head in sorrowful reproach.
Samantha felt crushed There was
too much truth in the strangers re-
marks Suddenly, she heard sleigh
stamping and shutting outside as Old
Man tried to warm his feet Samantha
felt that her trou blcs were over
She edged cautiously round the room
until she reached the door, flung it
open, and fell into Old Mans arms
with burst of hysterical weeping.
Old Man cautiously took the revolver
away from her. whats the matter
Samanthy?"
Samantha pointed in the direction of
the stranger. IA train robber,"
she said. IA road agent"
Old Man looked incredulous as he
came in. Why Samanthy." he said
as he came slowly in, you're dreamin'!"
Thar amt Il road agent this side of the
Nation river. He couldn't get livin'.
Why His eye fell on the new
conner and he briskly made for the
door, but Samantha barred the way.
YES" said the newcomer quietly,
'ft's me, Old Man. Timbe Jalsel"
I'm course said Old Man fecbly,
not looking Tim Der Jake in the face
Its you. Timber Jake; an you've
sorter took us by surprise-jest looked
in to see me an Samanthy. In counsel"
Tim Der Jake and Samantha recog-
nized each other. They had not met
since childhood.
Old Man appeared to recover himself.
"You sorter looked in." he insisted
doggedly. "Sorter looked in jest to
sec how we was gittin' on in our new
shanty."
Timber Jake turned his bewildered
eyes 10 Old Mans apologize counten-
dnco, dS IL seeking Selnly 1or cue.
Yes" he said, like a man who was
dreaming; that's it, of course Sorter
looked in"
Old Man was making frantic signs to
Timber Jake over Samantha's shoulder,
but when Samantha turned to help
him OFF with his coat his face was as
expressionless as a blank wall
Samantha FASTENED to bring him
some tea in her own pet CUP
Old Man surveyed the tiny cup doub BIT
fully. III it's all the same to You.