The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-01-05

fine sheet of rain; tho old man was
soaking wet and raindrops glistened
on his hair and scanty garments; his
bare feet were muddy, and altogether
he presented anything but an agree
able OF presentable appearance.
"What has happencd?" asked Dick
as soon as his mirth could be sup
pressed, as he aided the miller to his
feet.
I-I don't know" stammered
Jameson.
His wife, hearing voices, eau tiously
pecpcd out from under the coverlet.
"Robbers!" she cried shrilly.
"Thcy have been here again. Have
they shot you, Harvey?"
"No, wife, Pm not shot," said Har-
vey, can don't think there's been
any robbers round. Fact is I've been
sleep walking"
"Whatv
'Pve been walkin' in my sleep,
sure as you live," groaned the miller.
"Pm all wet, so must have gone out
of doors, an the Lord only knows
where l have been or what Pve been
doin'. l was dreamin' Of that fifty
dollars -
He broke off and hurried to the
spot in which he had hidden the mon
ey. II was not there.
"You're rather old for such capers,
Harvey" his wife was saying.
But he didn't hear her. Very
blankly he turned to Dick, who had
now retreated to the threshold where
Jennie was standing, white and start
led, but ravishingly pretty.
"Lad," the miller said solemnly, 81
believe I've robbed myself. I've
heard of such things, and now be-
lieve Pve jnst done that, an 1 hain't
got a notion where put the money"
'1s it gone?'
"Yes."
"Then you had best put on dry
clothes, sir, while 60 out and try to
follow the tracks you have probably
left in the garden. Your feet are SO
muddy Pm sure you must have been
there. Pll report in few moments"
With q lantern he went out into the
rain, and his gravity departed again
as under the window of the miller's
chamber he discovered deeply indented
footprints. which proved that Jame-
son had emerged like schoolboy.
The big, bare feet left plain traces
in the soft, soil of the garden. Dick
followed them on across the road, and
found that they ceased at one corner
of the mill. A loose board had been
freshly replaced. He drew it out and
there, in the aperture, found small
| tin box.
Taking 1t out, he hurried back to
find Jameson, his wife and Jennie up
and dressed, waiting for him.
The miller took the box eagerly
and opened it with scarcely steady
hands. There were the fifty dollars,
and under them the money of which
he had thought Dick had robbed
| him.
sLad," he said turning to his en-
ploye, 'Tve been thinkin' ill of you
for the last few days, an ask your
pardon. If l can ever do you a good
turn call on me-"
81 take your word, sir" said Dick,
cheerfully, going straight to Jennie
and taking her hand. want your
consent to my marrying Jennle some
day when l have proved myself able
to take care of her. We love each
other. and | hope, sir, you'll not
| lOT1cC Wult lONO Noo " Jo"A"NA~
once"
''No, l don't, lad," said the miller,
Avith a tender glance towards his wife;
"but mill hand gets but poor wages,
and you'll have TO wait II while"
GAS for that" said Dick, 81 think
you'.l have to look for another mill
hand, Mr.. Jameson, for have another
offer, and intend taking it. l wasn't
brought up to labor and was at col
legc when my father died, leaving me,
instead of the thousands | expected,
nothing but my empty, unframed
hands. left the college and fate led
me hither. If | have shown no talent
as miller, ] have won the sweetest
girl in the world to love me. Now a
| friend of my fathers offers me tho
nost of boollkeepcr in his bank at