The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-05-25
THE 7RAMP'S KISS.

S%@%NNNN% %SNH@N@%%~N
A wet, boisterous night. Along a
rain-sodden country road man, with
bis hat brim pulled forward over his
eyes, slowly plodded his way. He
had left the city more than two hours
before, and its lights had disappeared
With the oncomipg of the storm
The weary pedestrian suddenly
paused and leaned OF the knobbly
stick in his hand. No! he was not
mistaken; the light he had seen ema-
mated from cottage Window cot
& tage that stood just off the turnpike,
Surely every heart did not beat unre:
sponsive to the cry of hunger and
c:arity! Surely he was not doomed
to die OF starvation and fatiguei in this,
q Christian land!
The grimy fingers closed tightly
about the stick, AMI the starving man
approached the door of the little cot
tage. The sound of voices reached
his ears as he stood for moment il
resolute. One was the deep, gruff
voice Of a man, and the other was that
of a woman. He knocked gently upon
the door. It was opened, and stall
wart yeonan appeared. The wayfarer's
eyes wandered from the cozy fire to
IS the repast on the table before it and
from thence to the ruddy face above
him. Z
Well, what dye want?" snapped
r the cottager.
"a mouthful Of food-Pm starving, :"
replied the wayfaser.
s.Food, ,eh! thet's allays the cry, p
snaried the other. sslEhy don't yer
work fer ii, same as Oh do? Ger away,
ss.or Oil set the dog on yer" and the
door was shut violently io the suppl
& can't face:
asaaaa escape tte,,esecs'a'his ,sc''h lips. and he
lss4 ksriiy against the treHiswork
S before tn door. When at length he
Z turned from the ottageandsought the
open road a strange light had entered
his sunken eyes-the light Of despera-
ton mad nesst Wild, incoherent
= wo-ds fell from his lips; an exultant
laugh gtIrgled in his throat Hark!
What was thas2 Something was ap
preaching from behind
All! that something was cyclist
I He could see the small, trembling light
! of the lamp aud could hear the suck
Al..iing sound of the tires on the wet
road The starving wretch stepped
back beneath the shallow OF tree, and
asI;the solitary cyclist drew near he
placed himself directly in his path.
'sGreat Scott, my man! where the
dickens have you sprung from?" ejac-
Mated the rider, a young fellow, as he
dropped lightly from his machine.
t:Itss good job I was going easy; if
I hadn't either you or me, or both Of
MS, would have been fitting subiects-
for surgical research by thjs!s and the
speaker gave his broaS shoulders a
shake to dislolge the rain from his
ster&-.esse~~ ster.es2e~
rI wanted you to STOP" said the
other, his words coming through his
set teeth.
ssIudeed, and for what reason?" in
tecrogated tue cyclist, trying to see
the features of the last speaker.
Ell want help,' and the knobbly
stick was lifted, undiscerned by the
cyclist, a few inches from the ground.
Help, did you say? Then you're
'on the roaa?' eh?'
s'Call it that ii you like, but-I'm
starvingr'
ssGocd heavens, Yes, now I see
your face 1 don't doubt it! Here, old
chap, for goodness sake go and get
something to eat" AMI the young fell
low pl .nged his hand in his pocket.
Suddenly thought seemed to strike
him.
>'''3 ASat money would be no use to
you," he SAID; 'syou want food, and
you emit buy that any nearer than
The town. Stay, I know. I am on my
way to house half mile further up
the road-the house is called The
Hollies' can't mistake it; there
a:e two tnrrets; besides, anyone will
tel you which is Mr.. Templeton's
house. I will ride on-ah! l see you
know Mr. Templeton; but you have
90 occasion to be afraid of him. He's
justice of the peace, I know, but he's
got soft heart-and if he hadn't, his
laughter has. Well, Iujust
spin along and see there's something
ready for YOU to eat when you arrive. "
The young fellow had placed his
foot on the step Of lis bicycle to
mount when he felt the tramp's touch
On his shoulder.
tsWell?-you understand me, didn't
eyes, understood you, but
sBut what?''
ssWho is this Mr.. Templeton whom
you just spoke about-is it Robert
Cempleton, the celebrated architect?'
Eyes.
'tAnd is he related to you?''
A shade of annoyance crossed the
young fellows face, but only for an
instant.
''No, not exactly-as yet, hereplied
with laugh. 'But I may be related
Ia him barore long at least T hone so