The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-08-09

offer. 'I'n ask her, he said, and disap-
peared within the cabin. He came out look
ing very detected. ''She won't low it, he
said sullenly.
| thought what virago of wife he must
have and delighted in it, for the lazy young
rascals need squirting on Close behind him
followed the child whom l had learned to
know. Miss Vi'let approached apologetically
"I's right sorry, miss she said, gravely, "but
dads got his awdahs fer de gemman, an
ain gwine 10 dis'pint 'im.n
No one could gainssy this conclusive state
ment
After this l often made my way to Miss
Vi'lets cabin. Her father had completely lost
his identity. He was simply Miss Vi'let's
dad" and she kept him we'll employed, for he
was far too prone to while away the hours
drumming on his banjo. In answer to my
inquiries as to her aspirations Miss Vi'let said:
"Is gwine to be a wash lady"
"Wcll,n said, thinking to instill health
full principle in her plastic young mind ''do
not hang your hsndkerchiefs on barbed wire
fence, rs is customary here. 1t may be e
saving of clothespins, but it is bad on the
linen.n
witheringly. II dun dries de hank'chers on
de rose bushes"
then gave up the case as futile.
Contrary to her usual custom, Miss Vi'let
failed to appear for several days, SO 1 started
out one morning to seek the cause. Just
"a
little raise of ground. ''Dad's struck" she
said laconically, as drew near.
'Struckn' repeated, curiously.
'Yes; said as how dun give him too much
wuk to do"
"You don't mean to say that he has left
you ?" l exclaimed.
~ reck'n he has miss.n
At her side was large screen frame and
her small fingers were struggling with the un-
yielding cane.
70 tbo bota
is because you have been trying to finish the
gentleman's screen ?n asked.
She nodded her head. Just then man ap-
peared in the pathway leading his horse.
''It's de gem'man." Miss Vilet cried.
The pale man hesitated when he saw me. |
appreciated his feeling of embarrassment.
"You came to learn the cause of Miss Vtlet's
non-appearance ?' l asked, advancing to-
wards him.
'tYes. have missed her little offerings" /"
| he answered, with his hat IN his hand, aad as
| the moving air caught up his waving hair
| noticed what a noble brow he had
''She has been a veritable godsend to me,'
| he continued, smiling.
| l explained that the childs father had dis
| appeared from the scene of his too active occu-
| patton.
"MisS Vflet proved too severe taskmfst-
| ress,' he said, 'but what coward he must be
| to desert such child"
This idea seemed new to Miss Vi'let.
l 'Ddu ulucu' mean Ter, she Sdlu ueTOlCdIly ,
while her lips quivered pitifully, ''but he's
| pow'ful lazy"
Mr.. Denton, as the pale man was named, as
| sured Miss Ni'let that she need not hasten to
| fulfil his order, but to wait till dad" came
| back.
As the child was alone l often visited her,
| and it happened that had frequent meetings
| with MIR. Denton. At first felt some misgiv-
| ings about these meetings, but | queled
| my conscience with the thought that his wife
could not but yield when she knew that we
met on the common ground of a mutual in
terest in q forlnrn little child. One day as we
were walking down the leafy mountain path
Mr.. Denton said: Suppose we make com
bination, Miss Saddle, and have Miss Vi'let fol
our charge for always"
His deep eyes were upon my face, but
sprang from him, resentng what | had con
sidered an insult.
''Your wife, Mr.. Denton,' l cried. ''Havt
you no thought of her ?"
He understood me now.
'Wife have never had nor yet shall, un
less you be mine" he said gravely.
1t was my turn now to sue for forgiveness
and the blood mounted to my face in sham
that | had ever for a moment mistrusted him
My hands involuntarilv went out to him,
We heard a call from above, and looking VI
we deserted Miss Vi'let descending the turf
bank. Her face was filled with excitement.
"Dad's come back, she cried breathlessly
cam he aim gwine away no mo-, an he'
gwine to finish the gem'man's screen to-moI