The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-04-06
Wolf in the Fold


grew chill.
"A pretty night for a fellow to
sleep outdoors" muttered Lewis Glib
son as he trudged wearily along the
lonely road. switching savagely at the
clouds OF restless insects that
swarmed vegetation. What's life
anyway? don't seem to get much
out OF It. 1t owes me a living and I'm
going to wiring il from the pocket Of
the first likely looking person / meet"
Just then the rhythmic beat OF a
horses feet was audible and he stepped
quickly behind q tree. A woman was
driving leisurely toward him. She
gave a frightened exclamation az he
jumped cut and seized the bride, and
he saw that she was a tiny creature
with sweet, wrinkled face framed in
a blur Of silvery hair.
How you startled me!" she pant
ed. 81 thought you we're a tramp and
1t was such a relief when | realized
you were only boy. Did you want a
lift? Get right in, there is plenty OF
room" She cleared space and
much to his own surprise Lewis seat
ed himself beside her.
Take the reins, please" she said,
slipping them into his hands. 81 am
a trine upset. When you sprang out
looking so big and fierce, in a fash
thought of highwaymen and all sorts
Of dreadful things. That Is where
live" she continued, pointing with a
tremulous finger to a secluded farm
house, flanked on one side by with
cred cornfield and on the other by a
clump Of blue-green pines.
"If you are in no hurry and will
put my horse up for me I will make
some hot coffee"
Lewis grunted assent. and after
helping unload her numerous parcels,
drove sulkily off to the barn.
When a few minutes later he open
ed the kitchen door he was greeted by
a Whit of savory odors and a CHEEKY
voice cried: That's right. Come in.
l am frying you bit Of bacon. My
boy, Willie, always relished II on a
cold night. You put me in mind Of
him, although you are not the least
alike He was never strong and
hearty as you are. Whenever ! see a
young boy / want to mother him for
Willies sake. After his death it seem
ed as though I couldn't go on living
but law. folks can't die honestly when
they take a notion. Draw up your
chair, the bacon is done to turn"
Lewis obeyed. and while doing jus
tice to the nourishing food. listened
silently to his voluble little compan-
IONS stories Of her son.
when Willie died folks said I
ought not live here alone. But it
seemed as II ! had lost him COM
pletely whenever l thought of giving
up the farm though l suppose they
were right. To tell the truth, I have
been rather scarry of late. Tonight
I'm all of a-tremble; but put it down
to the turn you gave me. You see |
was getting home from the bank ahd
had quite a sum Of money about me
when you popped up on the road, and
so my guilty conscience helped fright
en- me-" She laughed and darted at
him bright glance.
Willie was studying for the minis
try and was the greatest boy to bring
home folks in trouble or need. He
fixed up a room for them, which he
called the fold. and someone was
there most of the time. have never
changed it, and if you will sleep ir 1t
tonight / will consider it a favor, as
l feel edgey about being alone this
evening"
Lewis avoided the dove-like eyes
turned gratefully toward him as he
gave assent and followed her awk-
wardly up the narrow stairs.
When she left him he went around
examining his unusual quarters. The
dainty freshness of the room was a
revelation to him. Above the snowy
bed hung an illuminated verse of
scripture that read: And other
sheep / have, which are not of this
fold. them also ! must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold and one shepherd" "
Through the muslin curtains could
be distinguished the shadowy outlines
Ol Jue SOlellu plubb, WHICH htelheu "
guard those within and a nameless at
mosphere OF peace pervaded the little
room.
I'm be blowed n this don't take the
plum of the tree" he soliloquiEed,
half scornfuflly. "It beats anything
! ever butt up against That Willie
must have been the limit. | feel as
If he was around somewhere" Lewis
blew out the light and plunged to bed.
While he lay with closed eyelids,
alert TO every sound the door opened
gently and his little hostess, tip-toeing
to the bedside, spread "A warm blanket
over him, and bending down brushed
his forehead gently with her tender,
mother lips.
Poor fellow" she whispered TO
herself, as she stole noiselessly away.
Lewis lay motionless. and later the
mellow face OF the moon rising be-
yond the feathery pine-tops looked
down upon a curious sight.
From the window a stealthy figure
swung outward and grasping a timber