The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-07
SANS CHARGE
By HAROLD CARTER.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
When Sam was a pickanniny on
what was left of his old masters es-
tate in Virginia, his father told him
stories of the war, that matchless
war, fought with devotion, gallantry
and humanity on both sides, in which
the strange spectacle was seen of
a dependent and enslaved race guard
ing the womankind of its masters
while those masters went out to
fight against those who wished to set
them free.
Sam absorbed all the spirit of those
times; but when he was thirty, and
the butler of the financier Ammt, in
a large northern city, only the spirit
remained-the details were forgotten.
Sam knew about the Quarrels be-
tween Ammt and his pretty young
wife. Lily Ammt had been q beauty
before her marriage. but three years
of sorrow had effaced the outward
and visible" signs that had held mems
hearts in subsection, though they had.
il anything, added to the spirituality
of her face. Her family had been
rich once. They had had estates in
Louisiana; but the war had reduced
them to poverty. and Lily Ammt was
a stenographer before her marriage.
Sam had never seen Mr.. Trent. He
only knew that his name was the
word used by Ammt to COW the spirit
Of his beautiful wife. He suspected
that Lily Ammt had loved Mr.. Trent
before her marriage, and he suspect
ed, too, that she had married the
wealthy man to bring some comforts
to her aged parents. But Sam only
suspected; and he was too loyal a
servant to voice his suspicious, even
to himself
He had noticed shabby fellow who
haunted the street, and often stood
staring up at the windows, particularly
in the evenings.
Sam could not help seeing the mail,
and he recognized the writing of GER
tain letters very we'll. He was at his
wits end how to proceed. Once he
caught the shabby man attempting to
enter the house in the guise of gas
inspector, just after the postman
called. The man had the mail in his
hand when Sam collared him and
pushed him into the street.
SAM" said his mistress, you can
start on your vacation tomorrow"
Yes, aam, thank you," said Sam.
You can take your two full weeks,
and your money"
"Oh, Lord, Mis- Ammt, don't want
to go now" said Sam imploringly.
His look might have melted stone,
but Mrs. Ammt was seized with fury.
I'm tired of your spying about me-"
she cried, stamping her foot. 81 tell
you to go-and afterward you can re.
port to Mr.. Ammt for instructions"
Yes, ma'am," said Sam humbly.
He went after breakfast, but was
back at his post that afternoon. He
came in at an hour when he knew his
mistress would be out, and the servants
engaged. He came in softly through
the front door, with his mistress spare
key, and went to his room. Nobody
would be likely to trouble him there,
or to suspect his presence.
1t was big house. The servants
downstairs could. not hear what went
on in the drawing rooms. But Sans
ears heard the unmistakable but soft
click of key in the latch. He was
down the stairs like a panther, be.
fore the man who was coming up had
reached the top of the first flight. And
yet, swiftly as he moved, he had
caught a glimpse of Lily Ammt, seated
upon the lounge under the electric
light, pretending to read, and waiting
for the man whom she loved with all
her heart.
He knew, too, that the shabby
man was somewhere in the street
opposite.
Sans voice rose loud at the head
of the first fight of stairs.
Mis- Ammt's very sorry, Mr., Trent.
sir" said Sam. shes very sorry she
can't see you this evening. You see,
sir, Mr.. Ammt's away on business.
sir"
Sans heart almost melted as he
locked into the despairing face of the
man in front Of him. Upstairs he
heard the rustic of the pages cease.
and he knew that Lily Ammt had
heard.
MI Ammt asked me to say how
sorry ne was, SIR" continued Sam.
standing implacably in front of
Trent.
he did. eh?" stammered Trent.
who the dickens are your"
why, I'm Sam, sir" answered Sam.
Never had any other name, l reckon.
Don't you remember seeing me, sir,
when you called on Mr.. and Mis-
Ammt last month? 1t was me handed
you the cigar box, SIR"
AS the man turned away and began
to descend the stairs Sam followed
him. In the hall he looked I'D at him
fmploringly. You see, sir, Mis- Lily's
my charge, sir" he said. Asking your
pardon, sir. Some day, sir, / hope to
serve you both, SIR
Trent swung round on him. You're
right he said in broken voice. 81
shant forget you, Sam"
No, SIR said Sam, as he opened
the door and saw the shabby man
lounging near. And Mis- Ammt's
sorry she can't receive you tonight,
sir, on account of Mr.. Ammt being
away, sir"