Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-10

presently, when, to my great renef. she let go and ran away to her own people. They all went away to their wagons, save one young man, who was tall with light hair and . fair skin, and who looked like none of the other gyp- sies.
 "Take care of yourself" he whis- pered as soon as the rest had gone. These are bad people. You'd better be off,"
 The young man left us, and Uncle Eb began to pack up at once. They were going to bed in their wagons when we came away. I stood in the basket, and Fred drew the wagon that had in 1t only few bundles. A mile or more farther on we came to lonely, desert ed cabin close to the road. It had be- gun to thunder in the distance, and the wind was blowing damp.
 Guess nobody lives here," said Uncle Eb as he turned in at the sagging gate and began to cross the little patch of weeds and hollyhocks behind 1t. Doors half down, but I guess it'll de better n no house. Coin t rain sartin."
 I was nodding a little about then, I remember, but was wide awake when he took me out of the basket. The old house stood on a high hill, and we could see the stars of heaven through the ruined door and one of the back windows. Uncle Eb lifted the leaning door little and showed it aside. We heard then quick stir in the old house -a loud and ghostly rustic it seems now as think of it-like that made by linen shaking on the line. Uncle ED took step backward as if it had star tied him.
 Guess it's nuthin' to be 'fraid of," he said, feeling in the pocket of his coat. He had struck a match in moment. By it's flickering light I could see only bit of rubbish on the floor.
 Full O white owls," said be- step ping inside, where the rustling was now continuous. They'll do us no harm"
 I could see them now flying about un- der the low ceiling. Uncle ED gathered an armful of grass and clover in the near field and spread it in corner well away from the ruined door and win dows. Covered with our blanket, it made fairly comfortable bed. Soon as we had lain down the rain began to rat tie on the shaky roof and flashes of lightning lit every corner of the old room.
 have had ever a curious love of storms, and from the time when mem- ory began its record in my brain 1t has delighted me to hear at night the roar of thunder and see the swift play of the lightning. lay between Uncle ED and the old dog, who both went asleep shortly. Less wearied, I pre- sume, than either of them, for I had done none of the carrying and had slept long time that day in the shade of tree, was awake an hour or more after they were snoring Every flash lit the old room like the full glare of the monday sun. I remember 1t showed me an old cradle piled full Of rubbish, a rusty scythe hung in the rotting sash of a a<window, a few lengths of stovepipe and blow in one corner and three staring white owls that sat on a beam above the doorway. The rain roared on the old roof shortly and !s, same whipping down through the bare boards above us. A big drop struck in my face. and I moved little. Then saw what made me hold my breath a moment and cover my head with the shawl A flash of lightning revealed a tall, ragged man looking in at the door way. lay close to Uncle Eb. imagining much evil of that vision, but made no outcry.
 Shrugged In between my two com paniOns 1 felt reasonably secure and soon fel! asleep. The sun, streaming in