Wichita eagle., 1890-02-26

hile1 with the female slaves. all on Gptce of
excitement and anticipation for the feast
they would surely receive after the guests
had been served Out in the yard the se-v-
ing men had built huge bonfire, around
which they gathered and smoked, willing
away the time until they should be called
into the house to eat and drink with the wo-
men. The fire, flashing and twisting. lighted
MP their faces until thev snone ike polished
ebony, and the ftfal flames ever and anon
sinking down, casting heavy shadows, threw
into ooscurity the figures seated 10 the outer
circle. In one Of these moments OF SEMI
darkness, Rafe got up quietly and vanished
In the gloom, nor was MS absence noticed for
q long time after. The darSies, free from
the presence of the oyerseer, were enjoying
the infrequent treat to the utmost
Just as the old clock in the hallway was
striking 10 hooded girl sprang from her
lookout by the door and intercepted Anita,
the rosy maiden who had but cunt the waltz
and started In quest OF her mother. The new
conner was a little negro girl, one Of the
slaves children living far out IN the most
distant cabin or the equarters.a She had
been sent hither tonight by old Salhe. she
said, and the bed ridden negress had asked
that Miss 'Nita come TO her quickly. Her
rheumatics were much worse and there was
no one around If missy could but look in on
her in her beautiful new bali dress, the very
sight Of her would chase away the pain Such
was the message the child brought, and with
out hesitat1ng an instant Anita picked UP
light shawl and following the girl stepped out
into the darkness. a long lane led 10 the
quarters" and from it opened byway lead
"a T
a mile distant,
The little colored girl FASTENED ahead Of
Anita, and, although the maiden was ssran-
ger TO fear, she began to regret having start
ed on the journey alone. 1t was too late to
turn back now, and she hurried along, anx-
ious to pass the clump of trees where the road
left the lane. The heavy dew wet her satin
slippers and her ankles. and the cool air made
her shiver. As she gained the thicket shs
fancied she saw man standing by the fence
corner, and her courage almost forSook her,
though but for an instant Who would dare
to nolest her on her fathers plantatlons And
so, with a trembling, yet quiet bosom, she
continued her way.
She could now clearly see that there was a
man standing in the shadow, and she imIne-
diately judged it to be Sharp. Far from be-
ing reaSsured, she felt almost on the point OF
screaming for help, but the thoughts Of the
ridiculous position in which she would be
placed should her fears be unfounded deferred
her. She spoke pleasantly 10 him, but in
stead of answering he sprang 10 her SIDE,
threw an arm around her and, roughly
placing his other hand over her mouth, lifted
the maiden off the ground and started with
her into the dark woods. Fear loaned strength
to the slight form Of the girl, and suddenly
wrenching her face loose from the ruffian's
grasp, scream after scream burst from her
lips. With curse the overseer struck her
with his fist, and again he lifted his hand 20
deal q blow which did not reach It's mark. A
giant form bounded from the shadow and
with an unearthly yell pounced upon the alb
ductor. One blow the stranger struck the
villain, who, dazed and blinded, released the
maiden and tottered almost 90 falling. Quickly
recovering, Sharp turned 10 face his Zoe, and
his heart stood still rs he saw before him
Rafe, the slave who had threatened his life
for previous wrong, now confronting aim
in the very act of a second deed OF villainy
For moment only he stood still, then re-
alizing it must be fight to the death, he I'M
sheathed knife and threw himself upon the
ItaIO, VIM, Will lio Utiti Wctpbu lu&Al a
club, as eagerly met him. Only for al instant
were they together, but in that instant the
slave had brought down his arm with killing
force upon his enemys head, while Sharp had
plunged his blade to the hilt in the others
heart. Not word was spoken, not a groan
was heard, but when the throng hurrying
from the mansion, bareheaded, breathless
from the dancing, and horror stricken at the
cries of Anita, reached the spot, they found
the combatants lying in the shadows-dead.
The feeble torch, which some one had caught
from the bonfire in the tumult, Lit up the
scene; the ladies in ball room attire, the men
flushed and excited, few venturesorne slaves
with protruding eyes, the dark green boughs,
the wet grass and those fearful objects lying
in the road What climax to the festivities
of the nightI
The next morning the slaves found horse
and buggy hid in the thicket near by and the
o7erseer'S scheme was made apparent. Poor
Rafe was buried in the family lot Of the Fair
dolphs, and to this day stone extols the
merits of the negro who persisted To save the
daughter Of his master.-Philadelphi Times.