The morning call., 1894-07-15

"If he isn't a tramp himself" said Leah,
pee ping nervouSlv from the wi ndow.
Very uneasy she a. Lean felt, but what
could they do? Only keen their eyes open
and watch the strangers movements
which seemed innocent enough.
She kept an eve upon him, and presently
caught him standing BY the low. shutter
less pantry window. She spoke and he
started violently, looking red and uncOm-
Portable.
II was thinking that window hardly
looked safe, MISS" he stammered. IF l
was you I'd barricade it. Tramps could
get in too easy
Toulouse" Leah remarked suspiciouslv.
You may put them up if you like. III
ge; the hinges and things"
To her surprise he readily agreed, and
was soon busy making all secure. L"ah
stood by helping and talking more pleas
antlv as her fears waned before his steady
work.
81 believe that was the way the burg
lars got into the house last fail. Yes, they
went all through the house and took every
bit of money and silver. while we were ali
asleep. But nobody was hurt, not even
Watch. That's the Queerest thing, for
he's awful savage with such folks. and
knows an honest man from rogue by the
mel just as easy as | can tell roses from
rag weed. Why. bless me. your face is red
as fire. You've been working too hard
IL guess I'd better be going along
Jacob stammered confusedly. picking no
his coat. "Most likely the deacon wouldn't
want me, and Id better get to town be-
fore the STORM"
But Mrs. Pettengill would listen to moth
ing of the sort. The storm was too close;
he had earned his supper and breakfast,
and, besides, they would 1eel SO much
safer with him there.
Rather to Mrs. Pettengilps relief he re-
fused TO sleep in the house. "a blanket
on the havmow is plenty good enough for
me-" he said, but she sank TO sleep in per-
feet cnntenIment, feeling that there was
man within call.
Poor Mrs. Pettengill! She woke with
start. Some one was moving in the next
room-lwo burly, tTampish.looking figures
-ransacking for valuables. She sprang
up to escape, but the door was promptly
slammed in her face. and she fell back
shrieking helplessly.
The noise awoke Leah. who slept not far
away. In twinkling the terrified girl I'M
derstood the situation, and remembered
the boy in the barn.
She threw on her cloak and stole rap
idlv down stairs. and out through the rain
to the barn.
jacob" she called softly. standing in
the door.
There was a startled response from the
havmow, and before she could finish her
breathless story he came Scrambllng down
and rushed past her.
Leah waited a moment, trem bling with
cold aud terror. Then came noises from
the hOuse-shouts. curses and shots.
SummOning all her courage Leah re-
turned. but before she could re-enter she
saw two dark figures running away, and
knew that the burglars were routed. She
ran 10. JACOB was standing by the open
front window. poker in hand, white. but
triumphant.
Mrs. PettengiI and Leah began eager
congratu lations. but he interrupted them
Ivy falling into chair with the gaspin g
exclamation, "Pm hurt F.! A ball in my
shoulder. guess!"
When the deacon came home the next
morning he me- the doctor just leaving.
A brief explanation changed his first alarm
10 wCnder and ity.
The wounded boy had been very uneasy,
wishing he could leave. and expressing
great regret for making them so much
trouble. So the deacon fastened to pour
out his thanks and assure him that any,
thing they could do
just here came an interruption. Watch
had only paused to greet the -est of the
family before following into the sickroom
And now, even as his master was
eagerly expressing his graft ude. the great
yellow dog reared up with his paws on the
bed. looked down at the pale face among
the pillows, bristled up as if indignant at
seeing a stranger there, and broke into q
loud, fierce bark.
"It's the aueerest thing" Deacon Petten-
gill exclaimed. II never knew Watch to
act that wav afore. He's smart. but l
s'pose he don't believe in bavin' stranger