The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-12-07

But l can cut OF the crust and toast the
inside"
"Thatll be famous! I am so hungry
l could eat my boots almost! It re oices
my soulto see n genuinely capable woman
one with n 'knack'! And now. Madam
Cook, Pm at yOur servicc"--with a low
bow. That Graham girl didn't seem a
bit impressed--she only gigglcd, and
said, coolly: "You may clean the fish,
if you want to-" and Tracy ! oring, the
her Of one of the richest and most aris-
tocratic families, donncd a big towel for
an apron, and went out to obey her COM
mands.
Then how she flew aroand! I rather
liked to watch her. She had such a deft,
handy way OF doing things. Both Cara
and wished that u mothers had taught
us something besides fancy things.
She made n rousing fire in the fireplace
you see, we had taken up our quarters
in q log-cabin that, years before, had
been occupied by IN old hermit trapper.
1t was u rough affair, but just then we
were very thankful for it, considering
the rain outside. 1t had turned off SO
chilly, too, that the fire felt very comfort
able, and what with the light, warmth
and good supper, we had n very pleasant
time. The supper was especially nice.
Helen had opened u couple of cans If
chicken; this she warmed IN the sauce
pan, and poured it over the toast, gravy
and all. Then she wrapped potatoes in
leaves and roasted them in the hot ashes;
and these, with the fish, coffee and other
things, made a meal fit for anybody. The
gentlemen praised it up, at any rate, and
they paid that Graham girl SO many COM
plimen:s that she actually blushcd. 1t
made her look pretty, too, and the fire
light falling on her brown hair gave it a
golden sheen that we women couldn't
help envying.
Nov, what's to be donei" said young
US have got to tramp back to Gilcs's
farmhouse and get another boat"
You and I will go, Max" said Tracy.
"Will can stay here and guard the Ia
dies. We'd better start Tomorrow morn
ing if it's clear"
The weather was fine next morning,
and after an early breakfast (that Ora
ham girl made splendid corn pones),
Tracy and Max leftus. Poor Mrs. Bart
lett actually whimpcred when they went
off.
1T seemed so awfnl to be left alone
shipwrecked in the bowling Wilderness"
she said.
That's rather a mixed metaphor!'cx-
claimed Will; land not ut all compli-
mentary to my bravery! You know, my
dear madame. that l will defend You
as long Us l have q drop Of bio ID left--if
these warilke mosquitoes leave me any
to begin with"
Will is a real nice fellow Qovcly to
lead the German With but he isn't cut
out for a woodsman, and about the first
thing he did, after Tracy and Max had
gone, was 10 tumble down a rocky place
= he was getting some rare ferns for
Sadie Avery-and break his leg! Well,
l don't know what we would have done
had 1T not been for that Graham girl
We were all about ready to go into hys-
tcrics, but she spoke out sharp and COM
handing, and told us that we must help
her. We somehow got Will into the
housc--it must have looked ridiculous
to have seen us Nil pulling and tug
glng at him-and on a cot, and then
Helen went to Mrs. Bartlett's medicine
chest, which b had brought along on
account of the children, and got him
something that would keep him quiet
and prevent fever. Then there was
nothing else to do but wait until Tracy
returned; and oh, it seemed ages.
In the meantime, something still more
startling took place. We were all rest
ing a bit after Il exertions, when sud
denly in rushed Tom AMI Tiny, saying in
scared whispers, for Will was doing,
and we motioncd them to be quiet:
''Oh, that Francisco has come back !
He is coming up from the beach. and he
acts awful queer! lie swore ut US, he
did p
''What! the guide" said Mrs. Bart
lett. "Girls, he must be drunk or crazy
What shall we do3 Oh! what shall we
doc Poor Will can't protect u.s."
"And he mustn't be disturbed, either"
said Helen Graham, decidedly. "We'll
have to settle with Francisco ourselves.
He does look c:azy or drunk" going to
the door and looking out Mt the rolling,
staggering figure coming up the pebbly
path.
1t was quite evident that he was drunk
unfortunately not enough to make him
clumsy and helpless, but enough to be
ugly and reckless. His boldness showed
that he knew we were without a de-
fender.
Helen Graham stepped outside the
door, one hand hanging down IN the
folds of her gown. Her face was white,
but Of Otherwise she seemed calm.
what do you want, Francisco" she
called ont, in steady tones.
He swore like a pirate as he answered /:
Now. look here, girl. you needn't put
on any airs! There amt no n but that
cripp. cd dandy IN there! I've come to
have my just dues. The boss, Lorlng,
wouldn't allow me any whisky, and 81
l went off and helped myself. Now, I've
back to settle up! You women
have get 10 fork over what money and
~valyablcs you've gotl' and with that the
ugly brute drew u step nearer.