Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-05-10

clotmod, - body'd think Aree uoYol
did no damage. An II you've 90
nerve enough to stand here and worl
same a. II there want nothing a-fire
| why, 1 amt cooler cucumber, an
I'm going up attic to see II They're
putting It out"
Della laughed. They'll be about
twenty firemen up on the roof to put
out fire no bigger'n my hand, " shs
said. But 60 along, mother. You'll
sleep easier for 1t. and I'll finish par
ing the potatoes.
Her mother had hardly left the
room when there came a loud raT
upon the kitchen door. Della paid
no attention. A second followed. A
third, q fourth, and then, as scowl
gathered upon Delia's forehead, q
succession of strong blows, as Of
someone assailing the door with the
intention of forcing it open.
Della threw down her rolling-pin
and opened the door. What's the
matter. now?" she demanded, curtly.
Three of their neighbors pressed
into the room. I'VE must 60 up
stairs" they said. 1T may have
burned through inside, Deeley."
Della laughed scornfully. "That
speck o. fred never burn house
down 'thout there was a gale o.
wind" she said, "but I'll let you 90
up long as you're so concerned about
it."
You're a bit upset, amt you,
Deeley?" said one of the trio, as they
passed out of the room.
Della made no reply, She stood
with her hand upon the door-knob,
cycling fourth man, who stood just
outside, in the shed.
He was q stranger to- her. She
looked at him steadily, and as stead
lily, lifting his hat, he returned her
gaze.
Hes q tramp" thought Della.
''Now l shall hear some pitiful tale. T"
She steeled her heart against it.
He was not in need Of food, she de-
cided. His clothes were worn and
shabby, though they fitted well, and
there was an indefinable something
about him which suggested former
responsibility. Yet he had not that
gauntness which told it's own sad
tale.
She waited moment, wondering
that he did not speak. ''Tramps were
seldom so slow of Speech" she re-
flected. HE was planning how to get
in, doubtless. This fire was his OPP
portunity, he probably felt. Well"
The tramp interrupted her train Of
thought. II beg your pardon" he
said, but coming through a vacant
lot back here, just now, l saw sparks
lodge on the roof above u.s."
His voice had in it sweetness and
refinement which still further sur
prised Della. A sufficient explanation
of it flashed quickly through her
mind. He is some bank official, a
defaulting cashier just out of prison, ;"
she decided. Her reply therefore was
sharply given. The firemen Will
attend to it,"
"But-"
"You are troubling yourself need
lessly," she interrupted, making a
movement to close the door.
He put his hand against it.
Pardon me" he said, "but if you
have short ladder here, will run
up on the roof and see if"
"The firemen will'-
Pardon me, but since ! saw those
sparks descend upon the roof, have
fancy to take the part of fireman
myself"
There was a faint smile upon his
face, as he thus pressed his desires.
Della resented it. A tramp, an ex-
convict, smiling at her, daring to
smile at her!
Through her anger, however, she
was sufficiently calm to perceive that
she was, in measure, in the mans
power. She was alone in the lower
part of the house, the outside crowd
were congregated in the front yard
and upon the lawn, and, with the
clamor of excited voices, and the din
of the engine, she could not summon
help.
Strategy must be her defence, she
concluded, quickly, and as quickly
she answered him. II don't believe
there's even one spark alive and burn
ing up there" she said, purposely
pettish ring in her voice, "but il
you're so set about it, there's lad
der down cellar
''Tell me where to find it," STEP
ping inside the kitchen. "Oh, I'll
have to go down with you," ungra-
ciously. Dear me, never saw such
a piece of work about bit of single
as folks is bound to make to-day"
She bolted the kitchen door, 81 won't
have no more tramps bursting in here
without my leave" she said. Her
tone was defiant almost to rudeness,
but in her heart was a fear lest this
tramp, this embezzler of bank funds,
might dash into the dining room and
the silver closet. Once there he
would be monarch of all he surveyed.
So, catching shawl from q nail
and throwing it over her shoulders,
she opened the door leading into the
cellar.
Wait" she said, turning back.
at is 80 dark I must light lamp"
This done, she led the way. Down
the stairs the tramp followed her and
across the stone floor to a corner Of
the cellar where was the rain-water
cistern