The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-05-31
THE TRAMP
@
BY FRANCES BRIDGES.

Marjorie Goldwyn, busiIy baking mo-
Iasses cookies and singing in a lusty
voice, did not hear a step on the porch.
Her work and solo were interrupted
by slight rap on the door, and on
reaching it she was dumfOunded to be-
hold 2 tramp.
Now, if there was anything or any
body Marjorie disliked, it was tramp,
because she was afraid Of them. Yet
this one seemed different; certainly
he had two weeks growth ef beard
and his hair needed to be cut, his
clothes were in a dreadful condition,
and there were almost no shoes. But
he had a wonderful smile and dark
brown eyes which sparkled with laugh
ter. After the first shock she did not
know whether to shut and colt the door
or ask him his business.
How do you dO?" began the tramp.
''Wil you give me q piece of bread
and glass of water, please? haven't
had mouthful since last night and it
IS now twelve o'clock"
Marjorie besitated q moment and
then said: YES, yes; but you stay
on the porct."
"CertainlT," he replied, throwing
his cap upon the porch floor and seat
ing himself on the Top step.
sac carefully locked the door, not
noticing q smile which fitted over her
visitors face, and proceeded to pre-
pare rather substantial meal in place
OF bread and water.
While ne ate she remained inside the
door ami watched.
THAT tasted mighty good" he said
as he finished eating; "and now I wiz
begin to saw the ever-ready woodpile."
There isn't any woodpile, but yoE
are perfectly welcome to the lunch"
But l want to pay you IN sOnG
way" he persisted. Cant I feed the
chickens or wash dishes or auything?
me, no." answered Marjorie rather
sharply and growing perceptiDly
nervous.
81 wish I could" he answered ,snil.
ingly picking up his cap, "but perhaps
I VIII be able to later"
AS soon as he had gone, Marjorie
locked all the doors, lowered all the
shades and sat huddled up in corner.
About month after the tramp Incl
dent, Marjorie went down to the pas
tUCe to get some violets. She had
picked a big and started toward
nome when she saw wriggling through
the grass, a 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 ,crawled nearer, and then she
tainted.
When Marjorie opened her eyes, her
Gather was bending over her. She was
at home, with strange young man
leaRing on the mantel at the other side
OF the room.
-'tOh father" she cried, "I was so
afraid"
''t0f course you were, dear, but this
young man, Mr.. Tom Pierce, shot that
RATHER just in time"
'SAAO@ '4AAAAAy 4OCA4Co 0hCLA JOAAO~
''Nes," said the young man, 81 had
been cunning and was taking a Short
cut through the fields to reach the
main road; and Lsnoticed you appeared
frightened. When came near enough
1 saw the snake and shot him as you
tainted"
Marjorie thanked him, wondering at
the same time where she had seen him
before.
This started friendship which be-
fore fall took On g, deeper meaning.
Marjorie, began Tom one night, ~
have two confessions, 20 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
q little? oh, do say yes" pleaded
Tom
Yea" whispered Marjorie, after
hesitatNg "a momeRt.
But you have made only one cOnfes-
sion; what is the other?"-fearing il
might be about another girl.
"Oh, yes, nearly forgot that Well,
you see, Marjorie, / was the tramp that
day last June; had made bet with the
fellows could rough it for g. month"
'I thought had seen you before the
iay you rescued Gle,," cried Marjorie.
"And you were frightened when l |
raped on the door, weren't you, sdear?"
Eyes" answered Marjorie, "but how
did know you Were to be my culture
huSGand?"
And the moon most ,eourtaOusly with I
drew behind a cloud for a few mo-
mentSs
Copyright 1919, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
effects of Eastipo