The midland journal., 1892-12-30
hammock, as I saw you and Tom do

hammock, as L saw you ana Iom 90
ing the other night.
Wouldn't you?" asked Kate, with
calm derision. Mac laid down the
picture. rose and shook himself
We'll, Carter'll be furious if I'm not
back by supper time Good-by.''
He came back, however, out of the
glaring sunlight to say:
Il fear I must insist upon another
thing. I'm proud, but there's look
about Toms clothes that drives me to
despair when contemplate my own
raiment.
Better set up clothes brush; it's
much cheaper than-any other arrange.
ment, interrupted Kate.
Tom groaned an emphatic assent to
this proposition and Mac finally noun
ted his pony and took his way across
the hot prairie towards the distant tim
ber line which marked the course of the
Nez Pique.
This was in early June, and the Nor.
tons saw no more of him during the
month. Carter, Macs foreman, whom
Tom saw in town, reported ''Mr. John
sho gwine to beat hisself plump out,
de way he's gwine on. He's at dem ar
pumps and levees early an late. Say,
if de hull rice flat am flooded by dc
Fo'th O July, de debbil himself gwine
be to pay"
1t was in the dusk of one of the first
July days that Mac rode to their gate.
"Good-by,' he called, without dis
mounting.
They left the porch, and came down
the moonlight walk for explanations
which he did not at once offer.
What is that q he asked at length,
respectfully indicating with his whip
the feecy affair in which Kate had
wrapped herself against the chill of
the Gulf breeze.
"a shawl. Nell ne lie it for ME at
Christmas, she said, holding up q cor
ner for his inspection.
I've always thought of shawls as
ugly checked things, Mac commented,
and then abruptly, Pm going North
to see-mother and the boys
There was curious pause in this an
nouncement, as if its ending had been
reconsidered. Macs usual quiet seemed
reinforced tonight by an added con-
straint, and after little he rode away
into the soft radiance of the Southern
moonlight.
The latter part of the week Kate re-
celved her usual letter from her sister
Nell The week after there was none,
nor the week after that. Her vexation
was becoming serious solicitude, when
Tom brought her the following letter ::
MY DEAR KATE-we've been so busy since
Mr.. McRae came there hasn't been q moment
to write letters. 1t was awfully nice of you to
suggest his stopping off to see us. He talks to
father by the hour about the country and to
mother about you. He doesn't talk to me
much, but watches me as if were something
unusual. Father and mother seem to like
him. but don't-much. I'll write more next
lime. He's going tomorrow. Love to Tom,
NELL.
P. SHE'S the strangest man I've ever
seen. Yesterday l left him disceursing to
father on red rice, "high-lift pumps, and
all the rest of it. and betook myself to the
hammock under the old apple tree. Presently
DE followed me with plan of your house he'd
drawn for mother. There wasn't any place to
olb eACepI III tu0 udnmOCK OF on The grass.
and you know how l loathe bugs and worms;
so made room for him in the hammock. But
before he sat down he leaned against the ap-
pie tree and laughed and laughed till 1 felt
like fool. He tried to make it up with me
afterwards by saying he remembered some-
.hing you said to him once about swinging in
hammock. 1t must have been very funnyi
don't think like him at all. N.
p. S. S.-Mr. M couldn't seem to re-
member any closets in your house. asked
him where you hid things. He said it must be
on top of the armoir. What's an armoir? N.
Kate had barely time to catch her
breath before Nell's promised letter
came. 1t was as follows
My DEAR KATE-Mr. McRae didn't go to-
lay. after all. but he is going early tomorrow.
And is coming back in November. And we're
20 be married then. Tom. don't you let Kate
write to know how it all happened for don't
know myself yet; only mother has al
ways said some of us ought to go down there
to keep Kate company, and you know how
self-sacrifcing have always been. just told
John was writing to you. I'D give half my
rice crop, he said, ITO see Mrs. Kate's face
when she reads your letter." Good-by.
NELL.
P. ST. think do like him after ala lit
lie. N. Exchange,