The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-05-05
Mr.. GRAY-WHITE.
How He at Last Faded Out of
the Picture.

- 1t was neither prying curiosity nor
an eye for silver forks that drew him
80 near the window. He was home
less man, indeed. but not vagabond.
Business had brought him to Pillow
vile, and after eating supper at the
tavern he had wandered about the
drowsy streets of the town, until,
through the window of a low-set, mod
est dwelling, he caught glimpse of a
a pretty girl, who was evidently afford
ing excellent entertainment to an eld-
erly woman, an old man, and gawk
of boy.
Although the gentleman without
could not hear the words she spoke. he
could well see her bright eye and the
smiles she brought to the faces of those
who listened to her with fond eager
ness. She was telling story, gesticu-
lating in graceful fashion. and turn.
ing her head from side to side like a
bird. The old man, who had flowing
white beard, leaned toward her, put
ting his opened hand behind his ear so
that he should not lose syllable of
her sprightly talk, and the gentleman
outside stepped on the porch the better
to see the girls winsome face. The
gawk of a boy began to grin, display
ing large teeth stranded on reef of
red gum; the old man lay back in his
arm chair in exquisite delight, and the
the elderly woman laughed so that her
ample bosom shook. She was very fat,
and she pressed her hand to her side as
though it ached from too much mirth.
Suddenly she rose, and before the gen.
tleman on the porch could beat re.
treat she had opened the door. ,..
II thought heard somebody here,''
she said with great good humor. "The
bell is little out of killer, and it dom
ring first rate. Who did you want to
seep'
The unbidden guest. who did no,
lack audacity, asked if Mr.. Brown lived
there. and the woman answered tina,
he did. IHa ~ III Nlti .
But do you mean Mr.. Hughson
Brown or Mr.. Perry Brown" she
added.
Neither, Mr.. Henry Brown" he an.
swered. promptly.
The woman clasped her hands
"Why, he's dead, but Perry, that's hi.
brother, lives here and he'll be rea
glad to see you. Come right in"
He expostulated, but finally suffered
himself to be led into the cOzy, lamp.
lighted room. 1t was plainly furnished
but the red table-cover, the rocking
chairs, with cushions on the seats, the
presence of comfortable cat gave it
most homelike aspect. The pretty CIR
looked at the stranger curiOusly, tn,
gawk of boy stared, and the old mar
put on a pair of spectacles.
PA" said the elderly woman, in
'shrill voice, "here is gentleman com,
to see poor brother Henry, not know
ing he was dead. {"
The old man rose and held out
thin. large veined hand. "a r. I.
al didn't quite catch the color O
your name, sirp" he said loosely.
Gray" was the faltering response
given with helpless smile. -tl.@
And then the old man chuckled
"'Tsint as good wearing color a
Brown. Graysw will fade. was in tn
dry-goods line myself. Well, here
Mrs. Brown and our son Henry-name,
, for his uncle-and our niece, Miss Hat
tie Brown"
'- The gentleman with the fading nam
bowed politely to each and accepte,
the chair his hostess offered. She wa
the soul of hospitality; she invited hin
to take a cup of tea and some brea,
and butter. and lamented that tn
stewed pears and smoked beef were al
eaten up, diverging little to dwell Of
her sons appetite, which made hin
look abjectly miserable, and was prob
ably the reason Why, he skunk out Q
the room. The gnest assured her tina
he was not hungry; he had inst suppe'
at the tavern A
80 you knew Henry" said old Mr.
Brown, reflectkely. ..Out West.
guess Leadville, likely. Did yo
ever have any thing to do with tn
Maria mine?"
Mr.. Gray's face frightened the
clouded over -.-... .-H,.