The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-03-15
came quickly, and grieved expression
curled his pretty lips.

| don't 90 love little boysv
The man started, and spasm of un-
| controllable feeling passed his bearded
| face. He turned upon the child. whose
| golden hair shone in the freight like Il
halo. and with swift. irresistible mo-
! ton, swept him into his arms.
Some marvellous change seemed to
have transfigured 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 to his
charms. He tugged at the strangers
watch chain, laughing so merrily that
Jenny could not repress soft echo
| from her own corner.
The man looked up, transfxed her
with the same keen gaze as at his en-
trance, only that now some new ele-
ment was added-a questioning al
most painful in its intensity. One
would have said the man felt his fate
hanging upon the answer which tho
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 l, 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
may give me some of the pork ana
beans you spoke about. They're
mighty warming on night like this"
Jenny sprang to do his bidding with
pleased alacrity, setting a bountiful
portion upon the table, and drawing a
chair beside it.
81 can't see why father don't come"
she said, anxiously.
A curious expression flltted across
the mans face.
Don't YOU fret. child" he answered
The SHOWS tlrifted badly, and it would
be nothing strange if they had to stop
somewhere on the road and wait till
morning. But you never mind; III at
tend to everything. You've got cattle
and things to look after, ! suppose.
III feed 'em for you. and then I'll bring
in another log or two for the fire"
"IIow good you are, sir! | know
father viii thank sou thousand
times
"Thank me yourself, child! I'm not
doing it for your father. It's long since
I've had occasion so be thanked and
the words have a sweet sound"
He opened the door and went out
through the binding snow.
Returning half hour later, he care.
fully replenished the fire, ral<ing 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. "rhe
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.
"BuC you won't be comfortable, sir"
Comfortable! I'll get the sweetest
rest I've had for many a long night
Jenny did as she was hidden. Still
dressed, she threw herself upon the bed
beside her little brother.
It was long before she slept, for as
the snow beat against the window
pancs she could not repress q 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. "He seems so
strange; but he is very, very kind"
She lost consciousness at last, and
when she awoke. the sun was already
shining in al the eastern window.
She sprang up hastily. scarcely able
to collect her scattered memories of
the night Of storm.
Hark! Could it be? It was!-the
sound of slowly tinliling bells ap-
proaching through the still! air.
'rhey 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. "How 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 unbroken drifts.
A cheerful halloo rang out, answered
by her own joyful voice.
The sleigh reached the door, and in n
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