The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-03-29

NOulu nave Sdlu une man IelJ MS rate
hanging upon the answer which the
young girl should give to his question:
'Are you afraid of me?"
'Afraid?" repeated Jenny, with gen.
tie surprise. ''Why should be afraid?
Surely you wouldn't do any harm to
Tony or me?"
mo more would 1, so help me
Heaven!"
The man rose, stretching himself to
his full height, like one relieved from
some crushing weight.
"And now, my girl, if you will, you
nay give me some of the pork and
beans you spoke about. They're
mighty warming on a night like this"
Jenny sprang to do his bidding with
pleased alacrity, setting bountiful
portion upon the table, and drawing
chair beside it.
81 can't see why father don't come"
she said, anxiously.
A curious expression fitted across
the mans face.
Don't you fret, child he answered.
The SHOWS drifted badly, and it would
be nothing strange if they had to stop
somewhere on the road and wait till
morning. But you never mind; I'll at
tend to everything. You've got cattle
and things to look after, I suppose.
I'll feed 'em for you, and then I'll bring
in another log or two for the fire"
"How good you are sir! I know
father will thank you a thousand
times"
THANK me yourself, child! I'm not
doing it for your father. It's long since
I've had occasion to be thanked, and
the words have a sweet sound"
He opened the door and went out
through the binding snow.
Returning a half hour later, he care.
fully replenished the fire, raking the
Goals together till the red blaze
mounted high in the great chimney.
Then he caught Tony in his arms
once more, making him laugh with a
merry story, before Jenny carried him
off to bed
'There's no use expecting your folks
tonight" said the stranger, when
Jenny reappeared, having left her lit
tie charge quietly sleeping. "The
storm grows harder every minute.
But they'll be here bright and early in
the morning, never fear. You go and
lie down with the boy, and I'll just
camp here in front of the fire"
But you won't be comfortable, sir"
comfortable! I'll get the sweetest
rest I've had for many long night"
Jenny did as she was hidden. Still
dressed, she threw herself upon the bed
beside her little brother.
1t was long before she slept, for as
the snow beat against the window
panes she could not repress a sharp
anxiety for the safety of those she
loved
what should I have done if this man
had not Gomez" she asked herself
! again and again. 'sHe scesas--se.
strange; but he is very, very kind"
She lost consciousness at last, and
when she awoke, the sun was already
shining in at the eastern window.
She sprang up hastily, scarcely able
to collect her scattered memories of
the night of storm.
Harl1 Could it be? It was!-the
sound of slowly tinkling bells ap-
preaching through the still air.
"They are coming!" she cried, joy
fully. and ran into the adjoining room.
1t was empty, and the fire smoldered
low upon the hearth. Her visitor had
| gone. unannounced and sudden as he
had come.
"And he had no breakfast" mourned
poor Jenny. GLOW shameful of me to
sleep like this!"
She flung open the door just as her
fathers sleigh appeared in sight, the
stout horses struggling bravely
| through the unbrollen drifts.
A cheerful halloo rang out, answered
by her own joyful voice.
The sleigh reached the door, and in a
moment Jenny was in her fathers
arms.
"My poor little girl! Thank God.
you are safe! was wild with fear for
you-all alone in the stormy night"
"But I wasn't alone. father. A man
came here, and he was so kind! He fed
the cattle, and made my fire; but-only
think!-I slept so late that he went
away without any breakfast"
The father and son looked at each
other.
"What is that?" cried Jenny, glanc-
| ing at the table. 81 do believe he left
letter! Yes-and directed to you,
| father!"
Mechanically the father unfolded the
bit of paper, and this is what he read:
81 knew of the money you took from the
| express office last week at Millville. I
| have been watching my opportunity, and
| when you rode away to-day followed you,
and cut down the big trees which you
| found across your road as you came back
81 did this to gain time, for l knew you
| could never cut your way around before
| morning.
| 81 came here to rob you. Your children
| trusted me. The boy is like eye that re-
member. If they had been s.raid of me,
| l should have found your mar.ey and gone
away You will think 1t fno!ish, but it
| came to me that If there was something
! left in me that an innocent child could
| trust, perhaps it was enough for the be-
ginning-just the beginning-of a better
| man.
JACK CARNIGAN."