Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-12-28

Ii you are playing me trick, God
will never forgive YOU
Amen, he said.
He stumbled in, ragged, des-
perate wastrel, yet with restraint in
speech and bearing that told of more
fortunate days.
The logs burnt bravely In the
kitchen stove, and he sank down be-
fore it, holding out his hands to the
heat.
"There is a candle on the table,
she said to him from the doorway.
And you will find some cold bacon on
the Shelves
"He never moved, though she waited
for reply.
'She closed the door, which was
built of stout planking, and turned the
key.
''The clock stood on the stroke Of
ten as she entered her bedroom. She
sat down in her old seat, but it was
only a few minutes before she was on
her feet again. She heard a sharp
creak, as if some one had tried the
front door, Her first thought was Of
her husbands return; then she remem-
bered the time, and her hope went
back to the storm. For q moment she
hesitated, with her hand on the blind.
Then she pulled it aside.
"a half-circle of moon was thrust
ing out through the hurrying clouds.
She could see them clearly against the
snow drifts-three men, and they wore
Grape masks. Two of them carried a
heavy fence rail.
presently she became aware of a
new sound-a brisk tapping at the
Kitchen door. Doubtless it was the
tramp's signal to his friends. He was
shouting, too.
What's the trouble?' he called out,
huskily.
1t is your friends she said.
My friends! l shall be pleased to
:. meet them he sneered. Let me out.
So that you may let them in?'
I am not fit for much he contin-
ued, and indeed that was plain in the
voice of him. The cold has gripped
me inside some way, but I'll help what
can. don't forget that you saved
my life. Come, now, turn the key and
get it over
Il think it was his feeble voice that
decided her Let us ever thank God,
| gentlemen, for the tender mercies He
has set in the heart of woman, wheth-
er it leads them right or wrong. This
man was sick. Therefore could he be
trusted. So her instinct argued as she
turned the key.
He did not look a very formidable
enemy-or ally, for that matter-as he
tottered out Of the doorway, supports
ing himself by hand on the wall
he drew his breath in painful spasms.
Give me that revolver he said.
(! "She drew it from the pocket of her
apron and handed 1T to him. He ex-
amined it with melancholy smile
1t is loaded in the last four cham
bers only, he said. DO you know that
you would have had to pull the trigger
three times to have got in the first
shot?'
81 have never had one before to-
night she explained
Where is your money!
''She hesitated moment, staring at
him like a frightened child. Then the
blue eyes quivered and dropped. 1t
is in my bedroom, she said, submis-
sively.
IT., "Much?'"
OF i've thousand dollars
"He gave low whistle of surprise.
1--WE will occupy the proper strategic
position, which l take to be the head
OF the stairs. If you will give me your
arm it would be of assistance
"a memory from her girlhood, be-
fore she knew of typewriting or
] thought OF a lover changed to husband.
| came back to her-a memory of Ten
nyson and his knights of King Ar
thur court, who were ever tramping
the country to help some poor girl or
other. The little woman had dreamed
OF romance before hard work had
shaken it out of her. And now she
dropped upon one knee beside him,
! laying her hand softly on his head.
"'Stand clear he whispered Here
they come
There came voice from the shad-
ows.
Mrs. Sabin,' it called, we don't
wish to hurt you. If you will 20 into
the kitchen and close the door, you
shall not be harmed
1.-The tramp held up a warning finger
and she made no reply.
Well, here goes said the voice.
"The three sprang out into the light.
but the leader checked himself at sight
of the lamp, as though expecting
trap, so that the second man passed
him, and came charging up the stairs.
shouting as he ran. He was not half
way up when the tramp fired
The man stumbled, made an enort
at recovery, and then fell heavily on
his side AS he did SO, the mask slip
ped from his face, showing the features
to the watchers on the stairs.
ct was her husband Jack Sabin!"
1T was a simple thing" continued
our millionaire host. ''Sabin was
eamb: er and worse. He did not know
where to turn for money. When he
was given that $4,000 and lost his
Lot