The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-03-27
CHAPTER XVI.
AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.

AS Col. Thorne was riding homeward,
one day, at noon, he was startled by the
sight of a powerful black horse, saddled
and bridled, but riderless. galloping furi-
ously in the direction of Tallahassee; a
little farther on, as he turned the corner
Of the brier patch where old Gilbert used
10 gather sassafras roots, his own horse
SHE'D violently, and the colonel was
hardly surprised to find man lying on
the edge of the road, motionless, with
his head against the obtruded roots of an
overhanging oak His face was hidden
by his position, but his hat had fallen
off, revealing well shaped head. and
fair, closely cut hair.
The colonel dismounted, and lifting
the unconscious head, discovered the
face of a stranger, well dressed, well
made man. of two or three and thirty,
perhaps, and Enthusiastically gentleman.
lie revived, in a measure, az his head
was moved to a more comfortable posi-
ton, and muttered, indistinctly, "Lost
my way"
Gan right, sir" said the colonel.
What is your manner
There was an effort to answer, but The
voice died away in an inarticuIated MUIR
muir.
Col. Thornc, having made a pillow Of
his overcoat for the strangers head, re-
mounted his horse and galloped back to
the field, where some negroes were at
work, TO order the construction Of a lit
ter of pine boughs, upon which the in
jured man was borne to Thorne Hill.
A messenger was dispatched to toYn
TO summon doctor, and to leave at the
hotel statement in writing that an un-
known man had been found uncon-
scious, on the road near Thorne Hill, and
carried to Col. Thorne's house.
Nothing was found ON the strangers
person to give any clue to his identity,
but had he come heralded by unimpeach-
able introductions he could not have
been made more welcome. Miss Elvira
bestirred herself with eager alacrity to
have a room put in readiness; the colonel
gave his personal attention to his uncon-
scious guest. using such skill as he pos
sessed for his recovery; while Missy,
watching at one Of the front windows
for the doctor, who che thought would
never come, sighed to think that there
was SO little she could do.
As thus she sat alone in the fast gath
ering gloom of the wintry evening, her
thoughts wandered away to her long alb
cent brother, who himself had been q
sufferer among strangers. Alas! where
was he now? When should she see him
again?
missy, is dat your 1t was Glory.
AIMS voice that penetrated the shadows,
and presently Glory AIMS withered hand
was laid on Missy's arm. DE doctor
done come, honey" she said, in an awe
some whisper.
"Whent" exclaimed Winffred, starting
up in alarm.
'Bless yo' soul, bout a half hour ago.
lie come de short cut, en- is gone street
upstairs, by dc back do. Tell you, Miss
Winifred, honey, he tux one look at dat
man. en- he shuk his head, en- Missile.
virey, when she hear dat, is plum gin up
wild de headache. De grit O. de Thornes
was lef outen her makeup, you better
bullieve; dat hukkom ain tellin' Missile
virey what gwan tell you. Missy, chile,
don't you know who dat upstairsp"
'No," said Winifred, seized with a VIC
lent trembling 81 did not see; could
not bear to look at him; how should
known
"Hit's dc Fed'ral gemman," Nom Bee
announced, in the voice of fate.
"Oh, Nom Beef broke from Wini-
frod's white lips, a cry of mingled dis
may, reproach and disappointment; fol
one wild moment the baseless hope that
The stranger might prove to be Nicholas
had completely mastered her; it left her
faint and Ill. She sank back in her chair
clasping her head i'm her hands.
Outlaw, Missy" said Glory-Ann, inn.
patiently; Thought you wuz gwan be
dat glad ter git speech wild him long o
Mawse Nick? Pears lax you hates him
mo- fur Yankee den you kin thank him
fur frien' Use sprised at you; j is dat
"Don't let him die" said Winifred
rallying with sudden sense of satisfac
ton that it had fallen to her fathers loi
TO cancel the obligation to Capt. Fletcher
ON Nicholas behalf.
Don't you be no ways oneasy," sale
Glory-Ann. doctors got away o shakin
dey heads; hit melss 'em pear lax d.
know mon de do. He gwan git over it