Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-02

turned. 10 was gathered under ncr
oval chin by n tape also tied behind her.
while her fair hair was tucked under
the usual rcd bandnna handkerchief Of
the negro housomaid. II is scarcely
necessary 10 add that the effect was be-
witchinR
But" said Miss Sally, eying her
guests smartly-fttinR frock coat, YOU
spoil yo'r pooty clothes, surel Take Oft
yo' coat-don't mind me-and work In
yo'r shirt sleeves"
CORTLAND obcdicntly flung inside his
coat and followed his active hostess
through the French window 10 the plat
form outside. Above them Il wooden
ledge or cornice, projecting several
inches, ran the whole length OF the
building II was on this that Miss Sally
had evidently found a foothold while
she was mailing up trcllis work Of laths
between II and the windows Of the sec
ond floor. CORTLAND found the ladder,
mounted TO the ledge, followed by the
young girl, who smillngly waved his
proffercd hand 10 help her land the two
gravely set TO work. But In the inter
walls Of hammcring and tying up the
vines, Miss Sally's tongue was not idle.
Her talk was as fresh, as quaint, MS
original as herself, aud yet so practical
and TO the purpose Of Courtlnnds visit,
rs TO excuse his delight In II and her
own fascinating propinquity. Whether
she stopped 10 take nail from between
her pretty lips when she spoke 10 him,
or whether holding on pcrilously with
one hand 10 the trellis while she Rcs-
ticulatcd with tho hammer pointing out
the divisions OF the plantation from her
coign Of vantage, she was as clear and
convincing TO his intellect as she was
distracting TO his senses.
She told him how the war had broken
up their old home In pincvillc. sending
her father 10 serve In the confederate
councils Of Richmond, leaving her aunt
md herself 10 manage the property
alone; how the estate had been dcvas-
tatcd, the house destroyed, and how
they had barely time 10 remove few
valunblcs; how although ale had always
been opposed TO secession and the war,
she had not gone north, prefcrring TO
stay with her people and take with them
the punishment of the folly she had
forcsccn. Now after the war and her
fathers death she and her aunt had de-
tcrmincd to 'reconstruct Nemsr'rcs"
after their own fashion ON this bit OF
property which had survived their for
tunes because IL had always been con.
sidered valuclcss and Improbable for
negro labor. How at first they had un-
dergone serious difficulty through the
incompetence aud ignorance OF the
freed lnborcr and the equal apathy and
prejudice of their ncighbors. How they
had gradually succeeded with the udop-
| ton of new methods and ideas that she
herself had conceived, which she now
briefly and clearly stated. CORTLAND
listened with II new, brcathlcss and al.
most superstitious interest; they were
rs Onn theories perfected and demon.
stratedl
But you must have had capital for
thisp"
All yesl that was where they were
fortunate There were some French
cousins with whom she had once stayed
In Paris, who advanced enough To start
the estate There were some English
friends OF her fathcr's--old blockade
runners-who had taken shares, pro-
vided them with more capital and inn
ported some skilled laborers and kind
of steward or agent TO represent them.
But they were getting on, and perhaps
IL was better for their reputation with
their neighbors that they had not been
bchOiden to the moth. Seeing cloud
pass over Courtland's face, the young
lady added with an affected sigh and
the first touch Of feminine coquetry
which had invaded their wholesome
camaraderie;
"Yo' ought TO have found us out be-
fore, connie"
For an impulsive moment CORTLAND
felt like telling her then and there the
story Of his romantic quest; but the re-
Election that they were standing on a
narrow ledge with no room for the emo
tons and that Miss Sally had just put a
nail In her mouth and start might be
dangerous, checked him. To this may
be added new jealousy OF her previous
experiences which he had not felt be-
fore. Nevertheless he managed TO say
with some eifusion:
But hope we are not too late moo
! think my principals nre quite ready
and able 20 buy up any English OF
| French investor now or to come"
"No' might try yo' hand on that one,
said Miss Sally. pointing to a young fell
low who had just emerged from the of,
fee and was crossing the courtyard
Hes the English agent"
lie was square shouldercd and round
headed, fresh and clean looking In hi,
white ilnnncls, but with an air of being
utterly distinct and alien 10 everything
around him and mentally and morally
irrcconcilable 20 H. As he passed the
house he glanced shyly at II; his eye
frightened and his manner became self
conscious Us he caught sight of tn,
young girl, but changed again when he
saw her companion CORTLAND like
wise was conscious Of certain uncasi
ness; IL was one thing 10 be helping
Miss Sally alone; but certainly another
thing to be doing So under the eye of {
stranger, and am afraid that he me-
the stony observation OF the English
man with an equally cold stare. Mis-,
Sally alone retained her languid cas-,
and self-possession, She called out
wait moment, Mr. Champncy,
clipped lightly down the ladder ant
leaning against II with one foot on IL
lowest rung awaited his approach.
81 reckoned 20 might be passing by,
she said as he came forward. "Co'unl,
Courtland"-with an explanatory wav,
Of the hammer toward her companion
who remained erect and slightly stiff
fened ON the oornlce-,Ia no relnlion Il