Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-03-10
PRICE ONE CENT

did YOU get it. Uncle Joeg" she
whispered.
~Yes, honey. IL was the best little let
ter that ever / had, How'd you happen
to send it ZouriS"
Cause wanted to, after you told me
about Tennv; and amt angry with ou
any more, Uncle Joel l told Poppy 80,
too.
SIN very glad, zouri. Wen Ne good
friends now, won't we. honeyg"
The day was drawing to a beautiful
close All along by the side of the water
and in the woods and fields the sounds
of night could be heard, as the shadows
of twilight grew longer, and the last
rosy light of the day melted into dark
ness
Zouri slipped from Uncle Joe's arms
to the ground after they had safely
passed the pond, but she held his hand.
and he saw that he must take her home,
or at least within sight OF the house.
"Zour:, he asked, did your father
know you were going to bring me that
valentine?"
~No; wouldn't tell him what il was
He knew was going TO do something
he didn't want me to; but Georgia and
Lous'any knew, and they told me I'd be
whipped for ii. But won'ti"
They were drawing near home now.
The lighted candles and lamps shone
with q cheerful light in the darkness
"Fll leave you at the big gate. zouri
You won't be afraid. then, reckon
Zouri did not answer, and Joe felt a
pain at his heart as the thought came
that, after all, the child did not care
whether he went farther or not
Here he comesl" she cried suddenly.
He's hunting for me, reckon. Now
he'll make you come in and sit on the
other side Of the chimlyl"
Yes, there was Seth coming along the
road to meet them Joe pressed Zouri's
hand tightly in his. and was silent
Seth called out in the darkness {: u ,uri.
is that you?"
"Yes. Poppy. and Uncle Joe. He
brought me home.
Seth stopped an instant, and then
came nearer.
is it you. Joe?"
the need of companionship just then.
"Shake hands with Uncle Joe, Poppyi
He's comm in to sit in that chair across
the chimly from you. asked him tol"
Seth held out his hand, and said:
"Come on, joe that chairs been empty
these (, ur years ! reckon you'd hetter
come in and use il tonight Zouri's
got better sense than her father.
II told him bout Tenny, Uncle Joe,
an he's sorry, too" said ZourL
Seth laid one hand on Joe's shoulder,
while with the other he led little Zouri
toward the house. Both arm chairs
were filed that evening. and little
curly headed girl sat first on the knees
that occupied one chair, and then on
those which occupied the other, until at
last she fell asleep in Uncle Joe's arms.
and was carried to bed with his kiss
and blessing resting on her forehead.
"There amt many like her, Seth," he
said. "You ought to be mighty thank
full you've got Zouri. I'd lay down
and die this minute il could sac my
Tenny strong and hearty like her.
Then there was pause
Did you su spect what she was up 20,
Seth 2"
Il wasn't right certain but it had
something to do with you or Tenny.
But Zouri's queer. and when she sets
out to do thing there's no stopping
her. So generally keep still and wait
till she's done 1t before ! say much"
"Did you ever know any body else like
that, Seth?"
Then there was a laugh-a laugh
brought back from the past years Of love
and brotherly kindness, aud it was full
OF promise for the years to come.
In few days there was a reunion at
Seth's home of the six little States
They were all there, Missouri heading
the list. Next to her was little Tennes.
see, with her crutches; then Lous'any,
Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.
/ do not know If other States have
been added to this Union since, but / do
know that Zourfs valentine brought
back a peace that has been abiding. -
rualo,t Z KanHrioL