The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-16

Bessie sat with her face against the
pane Of the south window. Ever since
the gathering dusk of the winter after
noon had settled down she had watched
the road for signs Of the team, Two OF
the loads had come and gone. The last
should have started only an hour or 50
after the others. yet 1t was nearly
o'clock and the familiar form had not
put in appearance.
Then a knock az the door startled her
and she covered into the darkness. hop
ing that the intruder. whoever it might
be. would become tired and go away. In
stead the knocking continued. and pres
emily there was a gust Of cold air as the
door was thrown open. It could not be
the folks; they were coming from the
south II must be a tramp.
The furniture was still piled i'm the cen
ter of the room and there was no hiding
place save the great cupboard, that had
been Grandma Bailey's. Softly she stole
across the room. but was just conceaIing
herself when a man entered carrying a
lantern.
Trembling she obeyed his command to
come out, and stood facing him. There
was nothing very terrible about his APP
pearance. He was muffied up 60 his eyes
in coats and scarf. but the eyes were
frank and kindly, and there was a twinkle
suggestive of fun.
Give an account Of yourself he de
manded Trying TO steal the house,
we are moving in" she cried, indig-
nantly 4 came on with the first load
and mother and father were to be here
with the last They have not arrived
yet. I don't know what can be keeping
them. I am Bessie Lyford' she added,
as an afterthought
And I'm Joel Ware" me introduced.
Il just got back from town and saw the
lights. I did not know that the new
owners We're moving In, and came over
10 see if tramps were in the house. / live
across the way
4 have been here since eleven she
said. We are moving over from Groton.
I was to show the men where 20 put the
things. The last load weRJ-Oh. years
ago
And you've been sitting here since
then watching for your folks he said.
looking at the chair by the window.
Had YOUR supper
4 had a colo lunch.' she said. iudiffer-
emily. "The kitchen things are on the
last load
IN bring something over" he declared
4 haven't had my supper yet
He slipped out. and Bessie sank into
the chair by the window to resume her
watch After a while he returned and
she went out into the dining room, where
he was Strengthening out the chairs. The
steam Of the hot coffee filed the room
with its delicious OdOr, and for the first
time she realized that she was hungry.
I brought mine, TOO" he explained.
"Itll save time"
re drew I'D "A chair. and presently she
found herself chatting as she slipped the
coffee and munched the biscuit. Joel she
found, kept bachelor hall in the little
farmhouse across the way. In the sum-
mer he had several hands helping him,
but in the winter he lived by himself and
was glad enough TO have neighbors again.
She almost forgot her troubles until
the tray was depleted. and Joel rose
III take these things over TO the
house" he said and then come back
You won't be scarce viii your"
Bessie shCk her head. laughingIy. There
was a certainty Of movement about Joel
that induced confidence, and as she
watched the light go up in his kitchen
while he moved about at his work. the
occasional silhouette against the light
brought comfort 70 her. Then the light
went out again, and she could see him
striding through light snow that had be
gun to fall
She looked I'D with a smile, as he en-.
tered
Il was tempted to run across and help
you with the dishWashing" she cried 4
never thought or I should have offered
to do so before you left
Il guess l can do my own chores" he
laughed back. II was wondering how it
would do to hitch W and drive back
Groton way. I've got a fresh team. and
if you don't mind being alone. I can find
out what's the matter 1 brought my
revolver over so you would feel safer. !
don't suppose you'll need il. but it might
be a comfort to feel that you had it,.
But it's such long, cold drive" she
protested
7 guess little snow won't hurt me.
or the team, much. he laughed You'll
be worrying till YOU know what the mat
ter is. I'll bring in some wood for the
olONG, anu AiltH Ett c4UlE-
He built SD a roaring fire and then
turned to Bessie
This is a sort of back road" he ex-
planned The tramps mostly hold to the
line of the railroad. so don't worry. I'll
be back as soon as I can
She watched him drive out Of the yard
presently, and as the well-matched team
sped down the road, a sudden sense OF
loneliness came over her II was not
quite the feeling she had experienced be
fore. That had been the loneliness of
solitude Now she was lonely because
Ware had gone. and even while she cried
softly to herself. her heart glowed as she
remembered how quietly he had taken
possession and had brought light into the
gloom
She fell asleep after a time and was
unconscious of the speeding hours until
she was awakened by a light touch. She
sprang to her feet with a cry of alarm.
but was treasured by a glimpse of JoeTs
kindly face
i found EN- about seven miles out, g"