The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1890-05-16

simple songs he loved, she was very do /
mestic, and not in the least learned :
1t was the strongest desire of his heart .
that Nicholas shoL'd marry this pretty /
cousin settle on the Ferndale place. three
miles distant. and fulfill the digniiiel dcs
tiny of q gentleman planter But since
Miss Flora had taken up her abode =.
Thorne Hill, the colonel had made a dis
covery that caused him much uneasiness.
That SO pretty and charming girl should
have adorers was In the natural orGer of
things and the colonel did not object to
the frequent visits of Miss Floras ad-
mirers; but that Miss Flora should favor
any one Of them all more than another
Nicholas being absent-was more than
Nicholas father could endure with equa
nimity. Mr.. Aleck Gage was the one
among Miss Fioras visitors whose com
ing vexed the colonel, and increased his
eagerness for his sons return.
But how to recall his banished son
without sacrificing his own dignity-a
point upon which he was superlatively
sensitiye-was still the problem that en-
gagged the colonel's thoughts. lie felt
that Nicholas under sentence of banisil-
ment ought to plead to return home; he
was sure that Sunrise plantation must
have proved uncomfortable lon. ago: but
Nicholas was giving proof Of a more OBJ
stinate endurance than his father had
supposed him capable Of. ''Contound
him for being so much like mel! the col
onel muttcred as he sat staring at the
thorny popinac, whore the accustomed
mocking bird, rejoiein. III the moonlight,
poured its unstintcd song. In the parlos
Flora was singing 70 Aleck Gage some
thing about moonlight and music, love
and flowers, and the colonel ragged like
the heather.
Old Gilbert's familiar greeting fell upon
his ear with 4 soothing sound. Leaning
forward in his chair, the colonel deserted
d dark ,isage just above the level Of the
piazza door. Hello! So Your back st
last. you OLD runaway" he said jocosoly.
And how is Nicholas"
Mawse Nisholos is peart ez cricket,
suh," Gilbert answered cheerfully, but
added Immediately, and with strong en-
phasis. Hits mighty lonesome place
tubhe shor'
"IIa! Nicholas finds it onesome'' the
colonel asked eagerly.
"He amt complained none,' old GN-
bert sighed "En' de craps is mighty
promussin',' he supplemented, adroitly,
though well he knew that the crops owed
none Of their promise to Nicholas.
Suddenly he changed the subject. AL.
though he still had il in mind TO tell all
he knew, he found it very hard to make
his report; he could not come at |,
through the mediam OF the crops, and he
was fain to try another course.
whoa dis de tel, me, mauster, down
ter de quarter. bout de storm done TN
rooted Miss Pauliae's housef
Yes the colonel answered, didn't
yon have a blow ut Sunrise plantation
"Tubbe sho sub, Whal you mought call
\ high win the day after got iere, but
dc ain no damidse doae. Miss Flora en-
j her NAV. Miss Pauline, Dc Is all safe:'
i .'Oh, yes. only out OF house and home
i out Of their own house and home, that
4 is They We Il home here, OF course, IS
/ long IS they'll stay. | don I know how
1 long it may be about rebuilding. The
house is pretty badly shattered and Fur
nival is not TO be found IN Tallahassee
He has job somewhere, it seems
"Mawse Job Turnival YOU is meanin
mawstcr1 cried old Gilbert, excitedly
Bless 20 soul, mawster, he is over tel
Eden; seed him nysef: had speech vic
4 him"
What is he doing there2"
Il amt zactlv made out ez he is doin
anythin' III ticker, suh. old Gilber
answered, uneasily. But I'm a-thinl.in
it mought be a-sayin' you sight o trou
BILE. mawster, il Mause Nick wuz here te
50 back en- fo'th en- look after rebuildin
Miss Pauline's house.
Exactly" exclaimed the colonel, Will
feeling akin to gratitude. "I.ll sent
forthwith for Lurniyal, and I'll hav
Nicholas at home. Go round to tn
kitchen and tell Dicey TO give you Ill
top supper. Reckon you're pretty tired?
"Midllin', mawster; thankce, sub.
old Gilbert responded, with sigh OF in
finite relief
II didn't want ter 90 tell on Maws
Nick he said 10 himself, on the way t
the kitchen; mot eff hit WIZ ter be holT
En- thankful am de Lawd is pinted d
way der git him fotch home dout iue {
teliin, praise be ter glory
The colonel called Tom Quash, an
gave him orders to take the double bugg
, and two horses. and star. for Suuris
plantation early the next morning carry
ing letter to Nicholas, and another {
, Job Furnival
The two days that interviewed hefor
this messengers return were hard 10 /
endured IN patience. It was NOR. iha
could be borne that Tom Quash returne
. alone.
"Miz Furrival. sub, is alyin' 81 4
pint o death" Tom explained. Ell
dat ocount Mr. Fnrniva! he coulin
come jes' VT
, And Nicholas" asked the colone
impatientlv.
..Mawse Nicholas is wrotenoI a note
said Tom Qnash. fumbling in the crow
Of his hat lie sont his ree-4pet's, q
lie can't come At sich short notice; is q
some matters ter sOrter strai ghtan, but