Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-07
Ned noticed tnat mis- companion kent


lighted, and on them there were bu
few people travelling. Ned wondered
IL these streets were fair samples q
those usually found in cities. and how
IL was that several saloon keepers ON !
low street happened to wink so famiI.
iarly to his clergyman friend.
lie has probably ministered n
them In some time OF trouble" Ned
said to himself. but he began TO wish
he was at home again.
Al last Ned's friend stopped before
three-story brick building. lie rune
the bell and coarse looking woman
came 10 the door A look OF intell
gence passed between the two that
Ned did not see.
i had been into the country To AZ
tend funeral said the clergyman 10
the woman, and | had the good for
tune TO meet this young man. who is
making his first visit TO our city. He
knows no one here. and told him
some OF the dangers that might Deser
him in the city and | took occasion
TO recommend your house as a good
stopping place He has assured me
OF his ability to pay"
Always doing good, parson. when
ever you can. said the woman with "a
wink. The words were intended for
Ned's ears. The wink was to the par
son.
If il is convenient let him have NV
old room in the second story" said
the clergyman. II found il very com
Portable when I roomed here viii
call and see my young friend again
~
the last remark he winked to the land
lady and she winked in return. but
Ned did not see these silent communi-
cations passing between the two.
And by the way, | would not GO ont
tonight" said the parson. "as vet Won
are a stranger in the city" Ned he
ing tired. was only too glad to prom
Use.
The clergyman turned away. and
Ned stepped within the hallway. and
as he did so he noticed that the wo-
man turned the key and placed il in
her pocket. Seeing mat Ned was
her sharply she remarked
I'VE have TO be pretty particular
about locking up in cities. II IS DIFF
ferent here than in the country
She led the way into a dinev loo
ing parlor. that was only lighted by
a small lamp, and went out 20 pre-
pare supper. The more Ned looked az
his hostess and thought about his sur
roundings the more he did not like
them; and If il had not been for the
recommendationsof his clerical friend
ne WOuiu nave been very uneasy
AS ne sat waiting for his supper
lttle girl not fourteen years of age
looked into the room She was sad
looking child, and appeared i'm cared
.or and half fed Her forlorn appear
ihce made Ned feel sad. and he
thought OF the oranges he had bought.
she LEFT the doorway and WIS gone
some time. and meanwhile Ned had
aiken the oranges from his satchel .
ma when she came TO the door again .
le held them toward her.
Ned was surprised TO see her glance
lnxiously into the room from whence
he came. and where the landladv
vas ana then she sprang quickly for
Vard, took the oranges. concealed
hem in her apron and evidently
Watching for time when the land.
ady was not looking. she glided out
ma was seen no more by Ned until
upper time.
All the time that Ned was eating
he watched him closely. and he
hought once when her mistress was
ot looking that she tried to motion
T say something to him with her lips.
Ut he was not certain.
When supper was over the landlady
I once proposed to show Ned his
DOM, and he was anxious to be alone.
IS he followed her into the hall TO go
p stairs, he saw the little girl hold
lg her finger toward him as il in
'arning manner.
Ned found his room to be comfort
bly, furnished, but there was no lock
n the door. The bed was a very old
ishioned one and mad four heavy 6
osts. When Ned was left alone he !
Al down 10 think about IT, IL being
lie nrst time in his life that he had =
cen away from home he felt very :
'nely. Then he began 10 think over ,
lie events OF the day; his new friend:
le action OF the police near the de- '
't; the walk in back streets: the
'arse looking landlady; the sad-faced .
ri; the big lock and the key in the
oman's pocket; the little girls queer
otons TO him. The more Ned
fought OF IL the more he wished he r
IA never come 10 Portland. or at q
asst had gone directly TO a hotel. r
hen he began TO think about the g
ergyman; the more he thought about a
m the less he felt confidence in :
m; he remembered too that the :
ergyman had very adroitly ed him :,
tell him his business. and even to II
ow mis- money. We'll. believe | II
we been duped," said Ned TO him p
IT, i may be smart at home, but am q
great shakes in a big world" he b
ntinued. II am a prisoner here, rs r,
re as | am alive, and shall be rob- q
d before morning" and Ned felt the N
.ir raising on his head
He arose and went TO the window
d looked down. He saw his room
is on the back side of the house. and -
ere was a closed yard below. II "
could reach that he could get over al
e fence and escape IL worse came to %
'rse. Then Ned began to laugh at CT
fears and accused himself OF child 81
nervousness. and began to prepare re
bed, resolved to think no more 20,
out II. a,
lust as he was about to blow out n
light, he thought a pebble struck
2 window pane. He listened a mo-
mt and all was still and again he