Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-03-07

Mamie turned into the Kitchen she
heard the tramp and Sarah in evident
dispute.
"Yes," said the fellow, "when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you,
instead of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day."
San spoilin' everything for me 10
do over. I think see her. I've work
enough to do" answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found graceless looking
fellow, unsharen and addressed, who,
with a certain gentlemanly instinct,
rose up as she came in.
IT suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be q
great kindness if you will leave as soon
as possible"
eyes, she did just that, madam, but
I took it upon myself to believe that
it wasn't so urgent. The truth is, I'm
very hungry and dead tired, and I
didn't believe but that you would give
me something to eat; at least I've
waited to ask you in person"
Women are soft-hearted creatures.
Mamie went aud got him some hing
to eat herself. The darkness that had
been increasing for some time came
down rapidly, and thers burst one of
those terrific thunder storms that
gather so rapidly and with such force
in that country. After its strength
was spent. there fell steady sheets of
rain that brought the creek over the
bridges before morning.
Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't send a fellow out in such
q storm" said the tramp, as the three
stood on the porch watching the
storm.
'.Tm sorry, but I've no place for
you.''
ts'Whatl in a house like this? It's a
pity there isn'ta granny for stow
away ] was walking around it, wait
seems co. snaessst
oaght Is hold three people. = 3.
on are very impertine emit IStell
you I have no place for you, and the
storm is already breaking away"
Even as she spoke the rain came
down in binding sheets, and light
ming streaked the heavens.
"Well," he said, carelessly, eve
don't.go much on manners on the
road, but I know I wouldn't send a
dog out snch night rs this. I'm
not particular chap. ieastwise not
nowadays, and III have to insist on
your giving me some sort of shelter,
if it's only your dog kennel"
The man spoke with decision.
Mamie felt that after all they were
really in his power.
81 will keep you on one condition, I"
she said. "There is loft to the
house, sort of garret, which is very
comfortable. It is closed with trap
door, and you may sleep on the
lounge there if you will allow us to
lock the door on the outside"
'tBless my stars and garters!' he
said, looking at her curiously, 81
don't care if you lock the door.
They took him upstairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door rs he politely
babe them good night, and they fas-
tened the paddock, hearing him chuckle
to himself 'as he kicked of his boots.
'I'd take the key, num-" said
Sarah.
Mamie took the koy with her, and
the two descended to- shut up the
house. After they had made every
thing secure they went back upstairs.
"You must sleep in my room to-
night, Sarah," the mistress said.
Sarah dragged in her bedding and
made pallet on the floor, and then,
after the custom of women, they e1-
amined the closets, looked under the
bed and piled the chairs against the
locked door. The rain was still fall
ing heavily and the night black as ink.
The mistress and maid went to bed,
and, although worried. went to sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself
awake, and bright light shining in
the room. She started up and saw
that it was the moonlight. The storm
had cleared away at last. She got up,
unable to compose herself immediate.
ly, and went to the window. The
moon was shining brightly. AS she
stood looking at the peaceful scene
before her she saw away down the
road, for it was as bright as day. sew
eral horsemen. It was such an un-
usual sight at this hour that sine stood
watching them us they came nearer.
To her surprise they turned mp the
lane leading toward her house, and
on reaching the gate came into the
yard. She was almost paralyzed with
fear. The truth flashed across her.
They must have learned that she was
alone-that she had this money, and
they had come to get it. For mo-
ment she was paralyzed. She remem-
bered Harry's last wor;is: "You must
guard it with your life if necessary. "
She ran to the sleeping Sarah and
wakened her. She got down Harry's
rife. The sleeping girl was soon
thoroughly awake, and she explained
to her their condition.
"It's the tramp hats done it,"
'sThe tramp? No. Sarah, the key,
the key of the attic. ;"
She flew up the stairs, unlocked the
paddock and opened the trap. The
man sprang up at the sound.
''Come, come with me" His own
senses alert, and hearing the noise of
the horses below and steps about the
house, he followed her without q
word. At the foot of the stairs she
stopped.
az have large sum of money in
the house, and those men have come
to get it, thinking that I am alone.
II they kill me that money must be