The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-06-12
THE TRAMP
-
BY FRANCES BRIDGES.

Marjorie Goldwyn, busily baking mo-
lasses cookies and singing in a lusty
voice, did not hear step on the porch.
/ Her work and solo were interrupted
by a slight rap on the door, and on
reaching it she was dumfounded TO be-
hold a tramp.
Now, if there was anything or any
| body Marjorie disliked, it was n tramp,
because she was afraid of them. Yet
this one seemed different; certainly
he had a two weeks growth of 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 bolt the door
or ask him his business.
"Ilow do you do?' began the tramp.
"Will you give me a piece of bread
and a glass Of water, please? l haven't
had a mouthful since last night and it
is now twelve o'clock"
Marjorie hesitated a moment and
then said; 'Ye-s, yes; but you stay
on the porch"
"Certainly" he replied, throwing
his cap upon the porch floor ana seat
ing himself on the top step.
sac carefully locked the door not
f4fr Ii, s.I, D.
VISITORS face, and proceeded to pre-
pare a rather substantial meal in place
of bread and water.
While he ate she remained inside the
door and watched.
THAT tasted mighty good" he said
rs he finished eating; "and now / will
begin to saw the cver-ready woolpjlc."
"There isn't any Woodpile, but You
are perfectly welcome to the luuclA'
"But I want to pay you In some
way" he persisted. Cant feed the
chickens or wash dishes or anythugG'
mo, no." answered Marjorie rather
sharply and growing perccpubly
nervous.
q wish l could, he answered smil-
ingly picking up his cap, "but perhaps
| will 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 a month after the tramp Incl
dent, Marjorie went down to the pas
ture to get some yiolets. She had
picked n big bunch and started toward
home when she saw wrigging through
the grass, a huge black rauIcsnake.
She tried to scream but could make no
sound; her feet seemed glued to the
ground; her head began to wlirl as the
reptile craWled nearer, and then She
tainted.
When Marjorie opened her eyes, her
father was bending over her. She was
ut home, with a strange young man
leaning on the mantel at the other side
Of the room.
"Oh father" she cried, ~ was so
afraid"
COZ course you were, dear, but this
young man, Mr.. Tom Pierce, shot that
RATHER just in time
"Shot him." queried Marjorie.
yes said the young man, Il had
been cunning and was taking a short
cut through the fields to reach the
main road and l noticed You appeared
frightened. When I came near enough
| saw the snake and shot him as you
tainted"
Marjorie thanked him, wondering ut
the same time where she had seen him
before.
This started a friendship which be-
fore fall took on deeper meaning.
Marjorie" began Tom one night, u
have two confessions to make"
Yes" urged Marjorie.
"Flrst, 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.
Yes" whispered Marjorie, after
hesitating a moment.
'But You have made only one confess
sion what is the other? fearing If
might be about another girl.
"Oh, yes, / nearly forgot That Wen,
you see, Marjorie was the tramp that
day last June had made Il bet with the
fellows | could rough it for a month"
Il thought l had seen You before the
day you rescued me. cried Marjorie.
'And you were frightened when !
raped on the door weren't you, dear?'
"Yes," answered Marjorie, but how
did I know you were to be my future
husbands"
And the moon most courtcously with
drew behind a cloud for a few mo-
mcuts.
Copyright, 1919, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syudicate)