Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-04-18
THE TRAMP
BY FRANCES BRIDGES

laSSeS cookies and singing in Il IuStv
voice, did not hear step on the porch.
Her work and solo were INTERRUPTED
ny Slight rap on the door, and on
reaching it she was dumfounded to be-
hold tramp.
Now. If there was ANYTHING or nnv-
body Marjorie disliked, it was Il tramn
because she was afraid of them. Yet
lhis one seemed different; certainly
he had Il two weeks growth of beard
ana his hair needed to be cut. his
clothes were III 81 dreadful condition.
ana there were almost no shoes. But
he had wonderful smile and dark
Drown eyes which sparkled with laugh
ter. After the first shock she did not
KNOW whether to shut and bolt the door
or ask him his business.
How do you dog" began the tramp.
"Wlll you give me a piece of bread
and glass of water, please? haven't
had mouthful since last night. and II
is now twelve O'clock"
Marjorie heSitated moment and
then said: YES, yes; but you stay
OH the porch"
Certhlnly,' he replied. throwing
MS cap upon the porch floor and seat
ing himself on the top step.
She carefully locked the door. not
noticing smile which fitted over her
visitors face, and proceeded to pre-
pare rather substantial meal in place
OF bread and water.
While he ate she rcmane. inside the
door and watched.
as he finished eating land now | wiR
begin to SAW the evcr-ready wnndp;lc."
lhcr" isn't any wo"dplc. but you
are perfectly welcome TO the lunch"
But | want to pay you in some
way he persisted. Cant | feed the
chickens "r wash dishes or anylhing?"
No. no." answered Marjorie rather
sharply and growing perccplibly
nervous
Il wish I could" he answered smil-
lngiy picking up his cap. but perhaps
| will be able to later"
AS soon us he had gone. Marjorie
locked all the doors, lowered ali the
shades and sat huddied up in Il corner.
About month after the tramp Incl
dent, Marjorie went down To the pus-
ture to get some viofetS. She had
picked big bunch and started toward
home when she saw wrigglng through
the grass, huge black rattlesnake.
She tried to scream but could make no
sound; her feet seemed glued to the
ground her head began to whirl as the
reptile crawlcd nearer, and then she
tainted
When Marjorie opened her eyes, her
father was bending over her. She was
at home, with strange young man
leaning on the mantel ut the other side
of the room.
"Oh father" she cried. II was so
afraid"
young man, Mr.. Tom Pierce, shot that
RATHER just in time"
rShot him." queried Marjorie.
Yes" said the young man, II had
been cunning and was taking a short
cut through the fields to reach the
main road; and noticed you appeared
frightened. When came near enough
saw the snake and shot him rs YOU
tainted"
the same time where she had seen him
before.
This started friendship which be-
fore fall took on deeper meaning.
'Marjorie," began Tom one night, II
have two confessions to make"
YES" urged Marjorie.
First, love you with all my heart,
and have since the first day we met !;
and Marjorie, dO-do you love me just
a little? Oh, do say yes" pleaded
Tom.
yes" whispered Marjorie, after
hesitating moment.
"But you have made only one confess
sion; what is the otherY'-fearing 1t
might be about another girl.
"Oh, yes, I nearly forgot that Well,
YOU see, Marjorie, was the tramp that
day last June; had made bet with the
fellows / could rough 1t for a MONTH"
II thought had seen you before the
day you rescued me- cried Marjorie.
"And you We're frightened when
raped on the door, weren't you. dear7"
YES" answered Marjorie, "but how
did know you were to be my future
husband?
And the moon most CourteouS1y with
drew behind cloud for few mo-
ments.
Copyright, 1919, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)
EHecfa NJ Esstino