The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-05-01

WHEN BESSIE
MOVED. 80
BY MARIE WAIT.
Copyright, 100, hu Marie Watt
BY MARIE WAIT.

ed the road for signs of the team. Two
of the loads had como aud gone. The
last should hive started only an hour
or So after the others, yet 1t was nearly
o o'clock and the familiar form hid not
put In appearance.
Then knock nj the door startled
her aud she covered into the darkness,
hoping that the intruder, whoever 1t
might he. would become tired and 20
away. Instead, the knocking continu-
ed, and presently there was gust of
cold mir us the door was thrown open.
Ii could not b. the folks. They were
coming from the south. II must be n
tramp.
The furniture WAS still piled in the
centcr of the room. and there was no
hiding place save the great cupboard
that had been Grandma BaIleys Soft
ly she stole ncross the room. but was
just concealing herself when man en-
tered carrying II lantern.
Trcmblingly she obcycd his com
mand 10 come out and stood fneing
him. There was nothing very terrible
about his appearance. He was muflled
up to his eyes In coats and scarf, but
the eyes We're frank and kindly, aud
there was II twinkle suggestive of fun.
Give I'M account of Yourself" he de
manded. Trying to steal the housef'
I'VE are moving in" she cried indig
nantly II came on with the first load,
and mother and father We're to be here
with the last They have not arrived
yet | don't know what can be keep
Ing them | am BESSIE Lyford," she
added as an afterthought
And I'm Joel Ware" he introduced
Il Just got back from town and saw
the lights. did not know that the
new owners were moving In and came
over 10 see II tramps were In the house
| live across the way"
Il have been here since H." she said
We afc moving over from Groton. |
was 10 show the men where to put the
things. The last load went OH years
ago.
And you've been sitting here since
then watching for your folks" he said,
looking Mt the chair by the window.
Had your support"
Il Ind II cold lunch" she said indf-
| ferently. THE kitchen things are on
| the lust load"
"l'n bring something over" he de-
clared II haven't bud my supper yet
4 Il
the chair by the window to resume
her watch After awhile he returned,
and she went out Into the dining room,
where he WIZ strengthening out the
chnlrs The steam of the hot coffee
filed the room with Its delicious odor,
and for the first time she realized that
she was hungry.
Il brought mine, too he explained.
9TH save time"
lie drew up Il chair and presently
she found herself chatting ms she sip.
ped the coffee and munchcd the bis
cult. Joel, she found, kept bachelor
hall In the little farmhouse across the
way. In the summer he had several
hands helping him, but In the winter
nNfu ny Illllstll uli WIS gnu
enough To hive nelghbors again.
She almost forgot her troubles until
the tray was depleted and Joel rose.
"I'll take these things over to the
house. he said. and thon come back.
You won't be scared, will your
Bessie shook her head lnuglingly.
There was II certainty Of movement
a n
ns she watched the light 20 up In his
kitchen while he moved about at his
work. the occasional silhouette against
the light brought comfort to her. Then
the light went out again, and she could
see him striding through light snow
that had begun to fall.
She looked up with n smile as he
entered
Il was tempted to run across and
help you with the DISTINGUISHING" she
said Il never thought or ! should
have offered to do SO before you left"
II guess can do my own chores"
he laughed bnck II WAS wondering
how II would do to hitch up and drive
back Groton WHY I've got n fresh
team. and # you don't mind being
alone | can find out what's the matter.
brought my revolver over SO you
would feed safer | don't suppose
you'll need Il, but II might be com
fort To feel that YOU had IT, -
But lis sueh II long. cold drive"
she protested.
II gtlcss little SHOW won't hurt
ii
You'll he worrying ill you know
what the matter Is I'll bring In some
wood for the stoves aud then get
along
lie built up roaring fire and then
turned to Bessie.
"Thls Is Il sort Of back road" he
explained The tramps mostly hold
to the line of the railroad, 50 don't
worry III be back rs soon us can"
She watched him drive out of the
yard presently and as the we'll match
ed team sped down the road n sudden
sense of loneliness came over her. 1t
was not quite the feeling she had ex-
perIenced before. That had been the
loneliness Of solitude. Now she was
even while she cried softly to herself
her heart ,slowed AS she remembered
how quietly he had taken possession
and had brought light into the gloom.
She fell asleep after Il time and was
unconscious of the speeding hours un-
til she WAS awakened by Il light touch.
She sprang to her feet with II cry of
alarm, but was reassured by glimpse
of Joel's kindly face.
Il found 'em about seven miles out,
he explained cit seems that the sled
tipped over turning out for another
team. Your ma broke her leg and they
took her into Deane's and set 1t. They
have been SO busy with their own trou-
bles that they never thought that you
might be worrying and did not send
any one on to tell You It's all right,
though, and your ma said not to wor-
~ She'll be In shape to move IN the