The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-08-06

house marched stolidly along, showing
little disposition to talS.
What's that?" | exclaimed, stop
ping to listen.
What was it," asked Barkhouse.
as we stopped on the upper landing
and gazed into the obscurity.
Il thought heard a noise" said /.
Who's there?"
1T was a rat" said Porter. i've
heard 'em out here of nights"
We'll, just light that other gas jet"
said. TT will help to make things
pleasant in case of accidents"
The doors came out Of the darkness
as the second jet blazed up. but moth.
ing else was to be seen.
Suddenly there was a scramble, and
something sprang up before my door.
Porter and l raised the revOlvers that
were ready in our hands, but Bark
house spring past us. and in an in
stant had closed with the figure and
held it in his arms,
There was a volley of curses, oaths
mingled with sounds that reminded
me of nothing so much as a splitting
cat, and familiar voice screamed in
almost inarticulate rage:
Let me go, damn, ye, or I'll knife
ye!"
Good heavens!" I cried. Let her
go, Barkhouse. It's Mother Borton."
Mother Borton freed herself with a
vicious shake, and called down the
wrath of Heaven and hell on the staI.
wart guard.
You're the black-hearted spawn Of
the sewer rats, to take a respectable
woman like a bag of meal" cried
Mother Borton indignantly, with a
fresh string of oath5. IT'S fire and
birthstone you'll be tasting yet. and
you'd "a been there before now, you
| miserable gutter-picker, if it wasn't
for me. And this is the thanks | git
from ye!"
Come in," | said, unlocking the
door and lighting up my room. You
can be as angry as you like in here
and it won't hurt anything"
Mother Borton stormed a bit, and
then sullenly walked in and took a
| chair. Silence fell on her as she
crossed the threshold, but she glover
! cred on us with fierce eyes.
IT'S quite an agreeable surprise tc
see YOU | ventured as cheerfully as
could, as she made no move to SPEAK
| My followers looked awkward and un
| comfortable.
At the sound Of my voice, Mother
| Borton's bent browS relaxed little
'lf you'd send these fellows out.
reckon we could talk bit bettef,
she said sourly.
Certainly. Just wait in the hall
| boys; and close the door"
Porter and Barkhouse ambled out
and Mother Borton gave her chair 9
hitch that brought us face to face.
81 reckon you don't think | come or
a visit of perliteness?' sha raid sharp
| ly after a brief silence.
| murmured something GGCut being
glad to entertain her at any time.
| "NOnSense!" she shifted. "Im vile
cid woman that the likes of you woult
never put eyes on twice if it WASH
for your business-none knows It bet
ter than me. don't know why | SHOULD
| put myself out to help ye.' Her tone
had a touch of pathos under it's hard
ness.
q know why" said, little tnUch
ed. It's because you like me-
She turned a softened eye on me-.
You're right" she said almost ten
derly, with a flash of womanly feeling
on her scanned and evil face. I've tool
fancy to ye and no mistake, and II
! risk something to help ye.'
81 knew you would" | said heart
| lily.
And that's what come to do sh'
said with a sparkle Of pleasure in he
eye. I've come to warn ye."
New dangers?' | inquired cheer
fully. My prudence suggested that
had better omit any mention of tn
warning from Dicky Nal |.
The same Ones" said Mother Bort
on shortly, only more of EN-"
What is the latest plotR'' | "ske
gravely, as | fancied that M ligh
manner grated on my strange guest
Il don't know" she said slowly.
But you know something"
argued
Maybe you know what l know bel
ter than | knows it myself growle
Mother Borton with a signifcan
glance.
| resigned myself to await her hi
NOR.
Not at ALL" said l csrGlessly. 6
only know that you've come to tell m
something, and that you'll tell it l.
your own good time"
It's fine to see that you've learne
not to drive a woman" she returne
with grim irony. ITS something t
know at your age"
| smiled sympathetically upon he
and she continued:
Il might as well tell ye the whOl
of it, though | reckon my throat's a
like to be slit over It as not"
"I'll never breathe a word of IT,"
replied ferventiy.
CTO BE CONTINUED.)
"a G. p - @.