Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-20

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IN the days excitement had subsidized
little. II was almost the only evening
In the week when he gave himself VI
10 complete rest OF mind and body.
lie had been lying there about quar-
ter Of an hour when Mrs. strong
who had been moving a plant paci
from one OF the front windows ana ha'
been Obliged to raise a curtain sieppe'
back into the room with an eXclama
ton
"PhilIp. there Is some one watkins
back and forth IN front OF the house
have heard the steps ever since We
came home. And Just now ] saw
man stop and look 10 here VINO cal
II be?'
Maybe It's the man with the bur
glars lantern come back 70 get M
knife" said Philip. who had always
made a little fun Of that Incident az
hls wife had told IT, However ne r0s'
and went over TO the window. SURE
enough there vas a man out on th'
sidewalk looking straight at me house
He was standing perfectly still
Philip and his wife stood by the win
dow looking al the figure outside. ana
as II nd not move away az last fniill
grew little impatient and went 20 th'
door 10 open Il and ask the man Wha'
he meant by staring into people
houses In that fashion.
Now, do be careful. won't your en-
treated his wife anxlously.
yes. ] presume II Is some tramp OF
other wanting food. There's no dan
ger. / know
lie flung the door wide open and
called out IN his clear hearty voice:
Anything you want friendT com.
up and ring the bell II you want 70 gel
In and know us Instead OF stanulns
there on the walk catching colo ana
making us wonder who you are.
In response 10 this frank ana INFORM
al Invitation the figure came forward
and slowly mounted the steps OF he
porch. As the face came into view
more clearly Philip started and fell
back q little.
II was not because the face was that
Of an enemy nor because II was re-
pulsive nor because he recognized an
old acquaintance. IL was face he
had never 20 his knowledge seen be-
fore. Yet the impulse to start back be-
fore Il seemed TO spring from the rec
objection OF Just such c0untenanee
moving ever his spirit when he was IN
prayer or IN trouble. 1t all passed In
a seconds time, and then he confronted
the man as q complete stranger
There was nothing remarkable about
him. He was poorly dressed ana car
ried small bundle. He looked cold
and tired. Philip, who could never re-
sist the mute appeal Of distress In any
form, reached out his hand andesald
kindly. Come in, my brother; you
look cold and weary. Come In and
sit down before the fire. and Wen have
a bite Of lunch. | was Just beginning
TO think Of having something 10 eat
myself"
Philips wife looked a little remon-
STRANGE. but Philip did not see II, and
wheeling an easy chair before the nre
he made the man sit down, and. pull
ing up a rocker he placed himself OPP
posite.
The stranger seemed little surpris-
ed at the action OF the minister but
made no resistance. He took off his
hat and disclosed a head OF hair white
as snow and said in a voice that
sounded singularly sweet aud true
you do me much honor sir. The
fire feels good this chilly evening, and
the food will be very acceptable And
have no doubt you have q good
warm bed that could occupy for the
night"
Philip stared hard at his unexpected
guest and his wife. who had started
out Of the room TO get the lunch shook
her head vigorously as she stood be
hind the visitor as a sign that her hus-
band should refuse such a strange re-
quest He was taken aback & little
and he looked puzzled The words
were uttered in the utmost simplicity,
shy, yes, we can arrange that all
right" he said. There Is spare
room, and-oxcuse me for a moment
while | go and help to get our lunch
Philips wife was telegraphing to him
10 come into the other room, and he
obediently got up and went.
Now. Philip" she whispered when
they were out in the dining room. you
know that IL a risky thing 10 do. You
are all the time inviting all kinds OF
Characters In here. We cant keep
this man all night Who ever heard Of
such a thing as a perfect stranger com
ing out with request like that2
believe the man Is crazy. 1t certainly
will not do to let him stay here all
night"
Philip looked puzzled.
81 declare IL Is strange! He doesn't
appear like an ordinary tramp. But
somehow | don't think he's crazy.
WHY shouldn't We let him have the
bed In the room of the east parlor. |
can light the fire In the stove there
and make him comfortable"
'1Iut we don't know who he IA. You
let your sympathles run away with
your judgment"
"Well, little woman, let me 90 In and
talk with him awhile. You get the
lunch, and Wen see about the rest
afterWard.
SO he went back and sat down again.
lie was hardly seated when his visitor
said
III your wife objects to my staying
here tonight. Of course, | don't w'sh TO
don't feel comfortable to remain
where I'm not welcome"
"Oh. you're perfectly welcome" said
Philip hastily. with some embarrass-
ment, while his strange visitor went
on.
I'm not crazy, only little odd, you
know Perfectly harmless. II win be
perfectly safe for you to keep me over
night"
The man spread his thin hands out
before the fire. while Philip sat and
watched him with a certain fascination
new 10 his interest In all sorts and
conditions n men.
Mrs. Strong brought In substantial
lunch OF cold meat, bread and butter.
milk and fruit and then placed II on
a table IN front Of the open fire, where
he and his remarkable guest ate Ike
hungry men.
II was after this lunch had been eat
en- and the table removed that a scene
occurred which would be incredible II
Its reality and truthfulness did not
compel us TO record II as part of the
life Of Philip Strong. No one will wish
% deny the power and significance OF
this event as II is unfolded In the
movement OF this story
CHAPTER XII
Il heard your sermon this morning, "
said Philips guest while Mrs Strong
was removing the small table to the
dining room.
Did You?" asked Philip, because he
could not think Of anything wiser to
say.
Yes" said the strange visitor sim