Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1892-02-13
n go and get it G,.u-.y, .uel,

Dit?
He watched her sunny little figure,
the clean, fresh dress. the dangling
sunbonnet. and the soft, dancing curls
as she few along toward home again.
"Wcll. reckon I'll have to see what
it is" he said.
He walked slowly to the edge of the
field, vaulted over the rail- fence, and
crossed the road to where the old hol-
his hand within. and then drew it out
with shame faced air.
Just one of Zouri's jokes, I reckon.
She'll think I'm an old fool to come
down here at all"
Then he leaned against the tree with
one hand resting on it's trunk. "Just
four years ago yesterday since Seth
and l stopped speaking, and this is tn.
first time one of his family's been on
my land, to my knowing. Not another
one of 'em would dare to come but
Zouri."
He shuffled around again to the hol.
low. II reckon I'll try once more" he
said.
This time he dropped upon his knees.
put his arm far into the opening and
felt carefully around. He found it, all
crumpled and not very clean. Then
he slowly opened and read 1.-THE lit.
tie scrawl that had cost Zouri so much
to write.
1t was like a message from Seth. aud
all the old-time love for his brother
came into Joe's heart as he read Zouri's
valentine.
I'm sorry Tenpy has to go on crutch-
es-" Here was the great sorrow OF
Joe's life, for Tenny was to him what
Zouri was to Seth, and all her young
strength had gone, and left her pa.
tient, suffering little cripple.
So he stood there and wept over
Zouri's tender words. God bless hcl
for sending it." he murmured.
AS he stood there he heard her call.
ing from far down the road:
Uncle Joe! on, Uncle Joe!''
He turned and saw Zouri running to-
ward him, somewhat pale and fright.
ened He stopped and held open his
arms, and she rushed into them. Then
he kissed her silently.
II was afraid to cross the plank at
the pond,'' she said.
Never mind, Zouri." he said, "I'n
take you over the pond"
lie held her gently in his arms and
carried her as easily as if she had been
baby.
Did you get it, Uncle Joe?" she
whispered
YES, honey, it was the best little
letter that ever had. How'd you hap
pen to send it, Zouri?"
cause l wanted to. after you told
me about Tenny; and l amt angry
with you any more, Uncle Joe! I tolG
poppy SO, too
I'm very glad. Zouri. Well be GOOD
friends now, won't we, honey?"
The day was drawing to u beautiful
close. All along by the side of the
water and i'll 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 darkness.
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.
''Zouri," he asked, did your father
know you were going to bring me
that valentine?''
NO: l wouldn't tell him what it
was He knew l was going to do
he didn't want me to: but
Georgia and Lous'any knew. and they
told me Id be whipped for it. But
WON'T"
They were drawing near home now.
The lighted candles and lamps shone
with a cheerful light in the darkness.
I'll leave you at the big gate,
Louri. You won't be afraid then,
reckon
Zouri did not answer, and Joe felt q
pain at his heart as the thought came |
that, after all, the child did not care |
he went further or not.
Here he comes!" she cried, sudden.
y. Hes hunting for me, reckon.
Now he'll make you come in and sit on
he other side of the chimly!"
Yes, there was Seth coming along
he road to meet them. Joe pressed
Louri's hand tightly in his and was ST.
ent
'Zouri, is that you?'
Yes. poppy: l and Uncle Joe. He
me home"
Seth stopped an instant and then
,ame nearer.
rs it you. Joe?"
Yes, Seth; me an Zouri." Joe felt
.he need of companionship just then
''Shake hands with Uncle Joe, pop
,y, He's comm in to sit in that chair
,cross the chimly from you. j asked
lin tor
Seth held out his hand and said:
Come on. Joe. that chairs been
mpty these four years reckon
-oud better come in and use it to-
hight Zouri's got better sense than her
ather."
81 told him bout Tenny, Uncle Joe,
N he's sorry, too" said Zouri.
Seth laid one hand on Joes shoulder,
While with the other he led little Zouri
oward the house Both arm-chairs
we're filed that evening. and little
urly-headed girl sat first on the knees
hat occupied one chair, and then on
hose which occupied the other, until at
asst she fell asleep in Uncle Joc's
rms, and was carried to bed with his
iss and blessing resting on her fore