The Winslow mail., 1917-09-21

it seems as if your kindness has melt
ed all the badness of my poor old
weary heart"
And Nellie, sweet plying angel that
she was, stood waving her hand to the
poor old derelict till the wagon was
out of sight.
1t was a month later and Nellie
was leaving the house to make fare
well visit to a neighbor. Her face
was all smiles, filled with glowing
soul of happiness. All the arrange
ments had been made to leave the
town. The horse and wagon had been
sold, purchaser found for the lease
of the house and it's furniture. In
her pocketbook lying on the table was
$4OO.
How carefully had the little sum
been saved! Dime by dime, it had
been accumulated-the means to take
them to the Woodworking, ambitious
Warren Leighton in the West. Just
about to put on her hat, Nellie drew
back with a start and a thrill.
Two men had crowded through the
open rear doorway. Before Nellie
could run or cry out, one had sprung
forward and pressed a handkerchief
over her lips, tied it into gag and
forced her back into a chair.
"Tie her till we've looked over the
place." he growled, and Nellie found
herself helpless and beyond the power
of an outcry.
'Look here, Bill" spoke the other
man, discovering Nellie's purse on the
table and holding it open. Hundreds,
pal; a rich haul" Then he placed it
on the table again, chuckling. Must
be rich, these folks" he went on.
"Come, we'll investigate for more loot
upstairs"
Nellie could not free herself. She
sat mute, terrified. Her heart felt
like lead as she reflected that all her
hopes of the Golden West were shat
tered by these cruel. lawless thieves.
At just that moment man slouched
down the street. He was a prototype
of Weary Skies in manner and appear
ance. He eyed each home, particular
ly the one where Nellie lived. Then
his glance fell to the gate post He
stopped down and scanned closely the
faded red chalk symbols that Weary
Skies had once noted
"It'S the place-girl named Nellie,
last name Wayne" muttered the
tramp. Hope | get good meal for
doing this errand for Weary Skies"
He went to the rear door; it stood
open. He peered into the room be-
yond, his eyes goggled. He started to
where Nellie sat. Her eyes attracted
him pleadingly. He heard gruff voices
upstairs, he comprehended that some
thing was wrong.
"What is it?" he whispered to Mel
lie, as he released her and removed
the gag.
She told him quickly, she seized the
precious money. She bade him run
with her from the house.
81 don't understand, but l reckon
you know what you are about" spoke
tne tramp.
Breathless, Nellie arrived at a neigh
boris, told her story and two men were
called, who hurried to capture the rob-
bers.
Seems as if 1 came just in time,"
said the tramp. you're Miss Nellie
Wayne; l know now. / promised an
old friend in the city, now dead, to
bring you a word, and this" and the
speaker produced a little brown paper
parcel.
Nellie opened it. Inside was an old
fashioned brooch set in gold.
"Weary Sikes," further explained
the tramp. "He reached his mother
just before she died. He told her
about you. She sent you the brooch,
with her blessing; and poor Weary
died week later
"a blessing, indeed!" murmured
Nellie, in tears, 'for it brought you to
my rescue, lust In time"