Middletown transcript., 1905-12-23
rcoNrrNrEn FROM LAST WEEK.

he assented, looking at the
lowering representative of the postal SER
vice.
81 don't keer if We do" she said,
sullenly. The stern measure OF hard
wears had armed the widow against the
weakness Of tears but che was shaken
with a deep, a righteous Indignation
against these reflections Oh her care oil
the Gilded Grove office-so shaken, m
deed, that she welcomed respite.
"Ef YOU want any supper" she said,
bitingly, 81 reckon you better git down
by the post-orfce an put all them things
in ergin. kain't clean up an cook
too"
"May l stay" inquired Conningsby,
smiling. "You are very kind, Mrs.
Sandusky."
"No Sandusky ever turned stranger
out from supper an lodgings" retorted
his resentful hostess. ''an' | amt gwine
to be the one to do it-eyen ef the
stranger is a."
The remainder Of the sentence was lost
in an eloquent bang of the door behind
her as she went into the kitchen.
Left to themselves, the two glanced at
each other with frank amusement.
"shall 1 help You rearrange the post
office? ?" inquired Henrietta, demurely.
"Or here's kitty-would she do p
"Keep kitty away-fur Heavens sake!
observed Conningsby, as he kneit by the
soap box. 'She has done damage enough
already by sleeping on the stamps and
warming up the glue. | should prefer
your assistance.
Miss Litchfield knelt OH the opposite
side Of the box.
II positively can't keep her off thoee
stamps" she said, laughing. Yesterday
she came out with special delivery stick
ing to her tail"
"If that has occurred often, said Con-
ningsby, "it will account for the shortage
of half dozen Of those particular stamps.
I presume there's not much call for them
here"
"I should say not" returned Miss
Litchfeld, laying package OF registry
envelopes carefully in place. Conningsby
noted that her hand was slender and
beautifully shaped. He thought she
would probably wear FIVE and half.
"What in the world are you doing
here?" he said, abruptly, but very kindly.
She told him. As the rehabilitation of
the disordered post-ofiice progressed un-
der their fingers, she told him more,
perhaps, than she was aware. For when
we are quite alone. SO far as the social
viewpoint goes, to meet with ones own
kind Unexpectedly and to hear from them
the cordial tones of sympathy. be the
words what they will, has dangerous
effect on the most steely gates OF reserve.
"Poor little girl p he said to himself
that night, as he lay on feather bed OF
smothering depth and yet more smother
ing mustiness. The cabin was unusually
large, and SO he had the room to himself,
though it was very small one, and the
moonbeams searching the floor, through
the curtainless window, found it guitless
of even rag rug.
He could not sleep. He saw her again
and again just as slie had first appeared
in the doorway-slim. quietly lovely.
He saw the gray eyes, the prematurely
sorrowful droop in the sweet red mouth.
'And to think I'll never have an ex-.
cuse for coming out here again." he
groaned. Yesterday was glad, beyond
words, that I'd come into some money
of my own and could drop this internal
business. Now-rm sorry p
He broke off abruptly. Had the in
tensity of his inner vision projected itself
into seeming reality? Or did she walk
in her sleep?
For in the pool of moonlight, one ii ger
on her lips, stood the lady OF his fancies.
But as he raised himself on his elbow,
he saw that it was no caprice OF imagina
ton; neither did she walk unwaking.
The beauty of her young face was set in
stern lines, and when she spoke her
words were shot with a desperate courage.
you've not moment to lose, she
half whispered. "Not one! Mrs. San
dusky's brotler-in. .aw-tle one You said
had no right to borrow even postage
in last night after you went
to bed. She told him all-and in such
way He was gray with rage. He
didn't say much, but knew he meant |
something, and when he left l slipped |
from my room and followed him."
"You-in the night r
"Yes-oh, don't interrupt. Youdidn't
see his face. He's a terrible man-if he
is honest. l followed him, and while lie !
was talking to Uncle Billy Saunders lay |
under the window and heard il ALL |
Uncle Billy was awfully mad, too lie
said it was reflection on his best mule
that it was as good as saying the mule
wasn't worth anything These two men
went to raise a party. They will he here
within an hour. Mru. Sandusky doesn't
know, but if she did she wouldn't lift
finger to save you, though you are in her
house"
md if they find me ?'' said Connings-
by, in composed tones. "What then p,
''They will tie you up and beat YOU
like dog p shuddered the girl. "tBeat
him till he can't stand'-tllat was what
her brother-in-law said"
"They certainly won't carry out that
part OF the part of the program" said
coolly. Il don't carry a
revolver. Generally speaking, it does
more harm than good. But do wear a
''Oh, what difference would even re-
yolver maker" returned the girl, inn
patiently. "They would break your
wright at the first shot and then do what
hey pleased with you afterward. There's
,nlv one chance for you. Dress as fast |