The Afro-American advance., 1900-03-17
val. for the grinding 0. their load OF

| selves, Tony, dear" said Jenny, more
to herself than the child; ''but there j
be plenty OF work to do. for sister must
bake the bread and cakes for Sunday
and father and Steve will be wanting a
good hot supper tonight"
TONY help sister ?" lisped the boy.
"Yes, Tony shall help sister. and sis
ter will fry him doughnut man.
Clapping his chubby hands, the child
drew his little cricket to the table.
where, by climbing upon II. be could
overlook his sisters operations at her
molding board. and 80. with frolic and
cheer, the short winters day wore on.
Gradually the sky. which had been
clear in the early morning, grew over
cast with clouds, and Jenny saw from
the window the air filed with gray
mist.
Its surely going TO snow" she aaid
TO herself, little anxionsly. But
father promised to be home early. and,
anyhow, Meg and Dobbin are strong
enough TO pull them together"
"A few feathery flakes came floating
down ns she spoke. which proved but
the forerunner of mighty host, as the
storm slowly settled over the landscape.
Hour after hour passed. There we're
no longer any tracks to be discerned
along the narrow roadway, which was
the only avenue Of approach through
the dense forest.
Inside the cabin II grew so dark that
Jenny placed a lighted lamp upon the
table, nnd, having finished her work,
sat down to listen for the first distant
sound of sleigh bells, while Tony curled
himself up sleeping upon her lap.
Suddenly she heard the muffied beat
Of horses hoofs upon the snow, a
shadow darkened the window, and
moment later heavy knock resounded
upon the door. Jenny opened II, hold
ing Tony In her arms.
The visitor who had dismounted and
stood holding his horse by the bride
rein. was large, powerful man, in
hunters dress, carrying a brace of pis-
tolls. and long, sheathed knife stick
ing In his leathern belt.
A little city-bred maiden might have
tainted with fright at sight OF so for
midable an npparition, but Jenny was
too well accustomed 10 the rough ex-
terror of the baekwoodsman to be easily
startled.
The stranger looked at her keenly
ms the glow Of the open fire III up her
little figure. with Tony's golden head
upon her shoulder.
Then he said:
"Can ! stay all night? I've been
caught In the storm"
The young girl hesitated but only
for n moment
"We're all alone. sir and the baby.
My father and brother went to town
this morning, but expect them home
every minute, and I'm sure they
wouldn't like me TO let anyone go on
IN the storm. So you're welcome. sir;
and you can put your horse in one of
the empty stalls In the stable yonder"
The man made no reply. but having
led his horse away in the direction in
Gated soon returned, and, taking his
plnce In front Of the fire, began to dry
his wet garments.
His face, which might once have
shown fine lines, wore hard and bitter
expression. as the aickering shadows
played over his bent head and averted
eyes.
A vague sense Of discomfort crcpt
over the spirits of his little hostess.
II wonder II he is In trouble. poor
man2" she thought. "IIe looks so ma
erablei"
Then she said aloud:
"If you haven't had any supper, sir,
! can give you some OF the pork and
beans I'm keeping hot for father and
Steve"
81 don't want any" he answered, still
without looking up.
Little Tony. who by this time was
broad awake. had slipped from his Sis
ter's arms. and stood with great. blue,
wondering eyes fxed upon the
stranger.
IL was something wholly new 10
Tony's short experience TO find him.
self quite unnotieed by visitor, and
he was evidently pondering deeply the
problem of this unsolved personality.
lie walked slowly up and down the
room, at each turn approaching lit
tic nearer the grim, silent figure be-
fore the hearth
AZ last he paused. and laid little.
rosy hand on the mans knee. Still
there was no response,
The child's breast hcaved his breath
came quickly, and grieved expression
enrled his pretty lips,
"Man." he said. with tremulous baby
accent. half breaking into sob, why
don't 90 love little boys9"
The man started, and spasm Of un.
controllahlc feeling passed his bearded
face, lie turned upon the child whose
golden hair shonc In the firelight like
halo, and with a swift, irresistible mo-
tion. swept him into his arms.
Some marvellous change seemed TO
have transhgured his face, and the
hard lines softened like ice before the
sun, He held the child close. murmur-
ing In his ear inartIculate expressions
OF endearment
Tony. ON his part, accepted most gra-
ciously this tardy homage 10 his
charms. lie tugged at the strangers
watch chain, laughing so merrily that
Jenny could not repress soft echo
from her own corner,
The man looked up. transfixed her
with the same keen gaze as az his en-
trance only that nnxN ANNA nn,.. ala