The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-03-17

she had another telegram saying tina
he vas detained until the next day
Fer friend went home, and in Place o
Harry came third telegram, and sc
every day for ten days he was ex.
pected home, and every day came E
Disappointing telegram. By this time
She had become accustomed to hel
charge, which she had set like bag
Of seed-beans in corner of . dark
closet opening from her room.
The afternoon of the tenth day was
a hot, murky afternoon. Mamie had
gone upstairs to take nap and re-
fresh before dressing to meet Harry,
who was expected home after the
/ longest absence he had ever made
/ from her.
I After time Sarah came up and told
her there was tramp downstairs who
wanted something to eat and who
wouldn't be driven 0f.
j "You oughtn't to leave him min
nte alone, Sarah. Go down and watch
him, and will come down aud send
him off,
She dressed herself quickly and
went downstairs, surprised to find
how late it had grown. When she
reached the kitchen she found also a
IN assenger with another telegram,
which announced an other disappoint-
ment, but the nsxt day without fail,
Harry wrote, he would be home. As
Mani, turned into the kitchen she
heard the tramp and Sarah in evident
dispute.
"Ies," said the fellow, "when that
i'm, comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you,
instead of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day."
"An' spoilin' everything for me %
DO over. think l see her. I've work
enough to do, answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over her
wo-k.
Mamie found a graceless looking
fellox, unsfaven and iIl-dressed, who,
with certain gentlemanly instinct,
Fose up as she came in.
II suppoce my girl told you we had
nothing for yoa, and that it will be a
great .kindnsss if yoa will leave as soon
= .os-lbii
''Yes. she aid just h thaat, madam, but
] took it upo3 myself to believe that
it wasn't SO t1rgsn.. The truth is, Z m
very hungry and dead tired, and
didn't believe bnt that you would give
me som ethiny to cat; at least I've
waited to ask You in person.
Wome n are soft-hearted creatures.
Mamie went and got him some hing
to cat herself. The darkpess that had
been increasing for some time came
down rapidly, and there 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
a Storm" said the tramp, as the three
stoad en- the porch watching the
storm.
'I'm sorry, but I've no place for
you. "
''What! in house like this? It's
pity there isn't a Granny for stow
away. l was walking around it, wait
ing for the girl, and it seems to me it
ought to hold three people,"
You are very impertinent. tell
you l 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, ave
don't go much on manners on the
oad but I know I wouldn't send a
dog out such q night as this. I'm
not particular chap, leastwise not
and I'll have to insist on
your giving me some sort of shelter,
i it's only your, dog kennel.
The man spoke with decision.
Mamie felt that after all they were
:eally in his power.
Z 81 will keep you on one condition."
,he said. ''There is q loft to the
louse, sort of garrett, which is very
:emfol table. It is closed with trap !
loor, and you may sleep on sthe |
OUNCE there il you will allow us TO |
ock the door on the outside
"Bless my stars and garte,s!' he
'aid, looking at her curioualy, Il
lon't care if you lock the door.
They took him upstairs, and he |
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The |
women shut the door as he politely
,ade them good night, and they fas.
ened the paddock, hearing him chuckie
O himself as he kicked off his boots.
I'D take the key, num- said
sarah. aF |
Mamie took the key with herr ana
he two descended to shut up the