Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-19

~
ing with impatience?"
He finally drew forth the letter
and handed it to her with trembling
fingers.
Having seized it, she paid no fur
Their attention to him, but ran over
to the porch of the house, where
lantern, burning dimly, hung from
one of the pillars.
Job watched her while she read
the lines, her pale face TRANSPORTED.
Glow she does seem to love the
poor fellow" he murmured, with a
certain longing in his voice, as If
speaking of one of whom he was en-
vious. 'Tt must be satisfaction to
be loved like that"
It did not take her long to read
the message, and then, thrusting it
in the bosom of her dress, she re-
turned to the man who stood wait-
ing, eying her with an air of uneasy
interest.
81 don't know who you are" she
began.
''It don't matter he added hum
bly,.
"But you are a friend of Dicks,
and therefore, a friend of mine,"
said she, holding out her hand. He
took it in his great, rough paw, and
held it so long that finally, with a
quick gesture, she drew it away, re-
garding him curiously.
"Why, my poor man, you are weep
ing" she said.
Job dashed his hand across his eyes
and laughed nervously.
"Me, ma'am; well, that would be
curious, wouldn't it?" Then, after a
pause, as if trying to collect himself:
'You see, had daughter once.
Had she lived she would just have
been about your age. That's why
it makes me feel kind of upset"
''Was it long ago you lost her?"
she asked, with genuine sympathy in
her voice.
MANY years, my child, many
years" Then, as if wishing to change
the subject which had become pain
full to him: II hope that note brought
you is the means of cheering you up.
You have troubles of your own"
''The deepest trouble that can fall
on daughter" with catch in her
voice, ''to lose my mother-and then
that Dick should be accused. But
they can't-they won't do anything
to harm him-will they?" selling
Jobs arm eagerly.
'No-no, Of course not" he said
slowly.
How doubtfully you say that"
pettishly. "But when he is inno-
cent
eve shall get him off, no doubt,
but it will take time. You see they
pretend to have a great deal of evil
dence against the lad, and that
counts for a great deal in court
of law. But there"-as he saw that
her face SO smiling a moment before
had changed, and was now fearful
and anxious-"we'u clear the boy
somehow or another. I may be able
to lend little help myself"
'You are very kind, and thank
you in advance. We have need of
every friend we can muster in this
hour of trial." and she held out her
hand again, frankly, while Job raised
it to his lips.
"Now you will see Dick AGAIN."
eff it is possible-an perhaps |
shall have as much luck as had to-
day." and he told her of his expe-
rience.
ooh, there is SO much to tell him
that I should never know how to be-
gin. But I am sure this separation
cannot last long. Papa, I'm conf
dent, believes in his innocence, and
if he has done nothing as yet it is
because he has been too FRUSTRATED
by this terrible affair to be able to
think clearly"
81 believe-I am sure-that your ia
Their will do what he can for the
! school-teacher," replied Job, earnest
ly. "Den't be discouraged, my dear,
for the law, you know, moves slowly,
freed" Then as he glanced up at
the house and saw a light in one Of
the windows, he said: "But it is time
I was going, miss. For certain rea-
sons, don't fancy meeting with Mr..
Henslow or any Of the rest Of the
people"
''But you haven't told me your
name yet"
"No, sure enough, I haven't"
"I should like to know the name
of one who has been SO kind to u.s."
'It don't matter much, miss, what
an old piece of driftwood like me is
called" he stammered.
"Still, I should like to know"
| "Well, it's Job Hendricks"
"I never heard Dick mention that
name before"
probably not, since we never met
until to-day
She looked at hi1a in such puz-
zled way that he smiled.
"Just set me down as one who