The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-22

It's Jack Brush's. Hello Jack, Tom,
Ned."
"Hello yourself" vociferousiy shout
ed Tom. who are you. hey?" and in
the presence OF a newcomer the quar-
rel ceased. and they all turned to face
the common foe. but as they found it
was only a woman, they bravely block
ed the road.
Hello. there. Teddy: can't git by 81"
"Tom," implored Gwen. ''it's me.
Gwen. Let me pass. Mother is very
Ill. I want the DOCTOR
Don't know Yer, Teddy; but Yer
must pay toll to pass these yer dig
gins. Eth, boys?"
She turned to escape, but they closed
around her and would have seized
her. had not tall muscular man in
long cape. sprang in their midst, and
with vigorous blows sent the girls
| assailants sprawling to the ground.
Pardon me, madam. I'll see you
home now" And he half-pulled the
frightened maid away from the scene
| without deignng to glance at the
drunken miners.
"Thank YOU" began Gwen. timidly,
But I'm going to Doctor Evans. My
mother is very ill.,"
| "A young SlIl. claCuEittu lIle SlIdH-
ger. peering at his companion intensely
| through the darkness. land what a
voice." and as vivid flash of light
| ming disclosed the fair. well-Doised
! head, from which the shawl had fallen
during the sculile, he exclaimed:
| "Whcw! what a beauty" Then added
aloud: "Ill accompany YOU. then, If
I may. DO you know any of them"
Il, 70 rit.in 1,nf n
| opportunity to answer his inquiry.
| Il know them quite well, and they
| would not have harmed me had they
not been drunk. They are knd-hearted
| when sober"
But brutes when not" quickly re-
| piled the stranger.
A short walk, during which neither
spoke a word. soon brought them to
| the residence of the doctor. and the
stranger vigorously bumped the knock
er. and while they We're waiting for
someone to come. Gwen shyly said
"How can T ever thank you for your
| timely assistance? The doctor will
| soon be here. and I will not require
your aid any longer, but ! am very
| grateful My name is Gwendoln Da-
Wis., and my mother and I keep a small
store at the foot of the White Oak.
| Now. whom am to thank? | think
| you are a. stranger
| John Dream" replied he of the
siNfeet-two. laconcally, late Hen
tenant of the send Pennsylvania Vol
unteers. now travelling for my health"
| Here the conversation was interrupt
| ed by the appearance of Doctor Ev-
| ans. and John Dream eagerly accept
ed her outstretched hand. and with
a muftled good night was off. Gwen.
still nervous and frightened, told the
| doctor the whole story on their wav
back. and it was only by a supreme ef-
| fort that she mastered herself Suf-
| ficiently so as to not alarm her mother.
| With the abatement of the storm and
| the attendance Of the doctor Mrs. Da-
Wis pulse became normal, and to-
| ward morning she passed into a rest =
| full sleep. carefully watched by Gwen.
| who in her weary vigil ,doZed only to
| be awakened by trying to elude the
| grasp of drunken Tom.
y week passed before a word passed
| her lips regarding the incident. but
one day, thinking of her strange eX-
| perience and the friend whom she
never expected to see again. she told
| the tale to her mother. One evening
shortly after supper, as Gwen was
| sitting behind the counter sewing, ana
| singing SnatcheS of songs. in came
| Robert Campbell. the would-be favor
lite, and straightway perched himself
| on the counter very nonchalantly.
Mrs. Davis was not in sight.
Good evening. Gwen
| Good evening. Robert" for they
We're schoolmates. and still addressed
each other as such. won't you take
chair"
Nope. This is better Gwen?"
And as he uttered her name she COL
ored rosily. not on account of the
name. but the manner and terseness
in which it was uttered.
We'll" said Gwen, looking him
squarely in the eye and waiting for the
| reply which she anticipated and was
prepared To face.
IL came here to see you on import =
ant business: you know fun Well what
I'm after. but you have given me no
encouragement. Gwen, l love-"
tut. tut, Mr.. Robert, that's not for
me-" interposed Gwen hurriedly, "and
beg of you go no farther"
But you must give me-
Must" she cried. with rising in
Election. Must. Robert Campbell, is
IA very strong word.'
"Fie, tie. Gwen You're a strange
one" And then suddenly changing his
tone. he sarcastically enjoined: "Who
Is he?"
| 4 quick step ON the porch prevented
| Gwen from replying, and in an instant
"a tall. handsome man with "A military
bearing entered; blue eyes. light brown
| hair, closely cropped, strong face.
yet withal a sad one. Gwen arose as
the stranger entered, a scarlet blush
suffusing her face.
Mr., Dream, | believe"
Correct" said Il deep bass voice,
"and, | presume, Miss Davis" and as
she took the proffered hand Il thrill
| never before felt, yet so sweet, pos
sessed her, that she allowed it to lie
in his closed palm rather longer than
\ necessary, meanwhile blushng furi-
| ouSly.
"Oh. pardon me-" she exclaimed,
suddenly. turning TO Robert, who
stood witness To the foregoing pro-
ceedings. "Mr. Campbell, let me pre-
sent Mr.. Dream"
II trust, Mr., Campbell. ] have not
interrupted pleasant tete-a-tete?" in
quired Dream.
"Oh, not at all, ! can assure vou,"
answered Campbell, somewhat malici-
ously, land | trust | will not prevent
one. Goodnight"
so that's Miss iighnyer's King
Pin" he muttered, once out of sight.
"Oh, ho, city bred. He's looking for
butterfly wherewith to play, And
she. See those bushes and hear that
stammering tongue, which 10 me rolled