The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-16

stretches. elbow copses and groups of cot
tonwood asi sycamore; and beyond the
level Of yeliowing tules appeared the
ffinged aEi raised banks Of the river.
Haif-tropicsl looking cottages with deep
verandas-.ihe homes of early Southern
blocks al sssodern houses. monotonousiy
alike. In snese sylvan surroundings Mr..
Hamlin's picturesque rusticity looked
less inconfsruous and more Arcadian; the
young giM had lost some Of her re-
straint with her condolences. and
lounging together side by side without
81. , s;s, e:o o. any
less contr.ved TO impress the spectator
with the tea that they were . charming
pair OF pastoral lovers. So strong was this
impression. that rs they approached Aunt
Chloe's ianaidry, pretty rose-covered cot
tage. wikh an enormous whitewashed
barn-like extension in the renr--the black
proprietress herself, standing At the door,
called her. husband to come and look Mt
them, ans flashed her white teeth in
such unqualified commcndation and
patronage that Mr.. Hamlin. with
drawing i5imself from Sophy's side. in
stantiy chu-ged down upon them.
''lf you Cont slide the lid hack over that
erinnine s.ax of dominoes % yours and
take il inside I'll just carry Hannibal off
with me- 'she said in quick whisper. with
q halt wisssed. half mischievous glitter in
his brown eyes. THAT Young lady's
lady, do sou understand No riH-raff
friend Of f.:inc. but regular nun-a saint
do you tear? So you Just stand back
and let her take n good look around and
rest hersesf--untii she wants you. Two
black idiffs Miss Brown" he continued
cheersully'sn a higher voice OF explanation.
as Sophy a,iproachei. ''who think because
one Of EN- used to shave me and the other
saved my a;sie. they've got right 10 stand
at their hhsnhte cottage door and fright
ened horses"
So great was Mr. Hamlin's ascendancy
over his ftssmer servants that even this in
genious k$easantry was received with
every sign IT affection and appreciation Of
the hume Fist and profound respect for
his compauiou. Aunt Chloe showed them
eflusivciy into her parlor-a small bat
scrupulousy neat and sweet-smelling
apartment, inor,iinateiy furnished. with
huge mahogany center table and chairs.
and the snos4 fragile and meretririous
china AMI glass ornaments on the mantei-
Rut the tsirec jasminc-edged lafticed VIM
,ioxs opep IA upon q homeiy garden OF
old-fs.hio;srd herbs and bowers. and
their fragrance filled the room. The
cleanes, and stsrchiest of curtains.
the mos. dazzling and wh,fest OF
tides and;ghair covers bespoke the ada
cent isunsssv. indeed the whole cottage
seemed to. exhals the odor OF lavender.
sosp and freshly ironed linen. Yet the
cottage wss large for the couple ana tneiF
assis.antstf "nar was two front rooms on
d. mex fic' dat dey never used. explained
Aunt Chltss; friends allowed dat dcy
could let 'srn IN white folks. but dey had
slwevs be- u done KEEP for Marse Hamiin.
ef be ever eantea e. he with his old nir-
gers again Jack locked M quickly with
a br!gt,tefnd face made a sign In Hannl-
!. 3,s. Inf hs 20
When be came through the passage
few ncnlasss later there vas sound ~
laughter 81 the par or. lie recognize! the
lull. rogna Iexy chuckle of Amt Chloe,
hat there .sas = higher ~,r,ish rinnie that
he dst mes knew. He had never heard
Sorhy lag&h before Nor when he en-
,er,ef had ,e ever seen her so animated.
Sh, was re.ping Chlo~ set the table RI that
laftv,s intense delight Mt M ssscys" girl
,.h houss eg,fery She was picking the
BERRIES fresh from the garden, ha,,ering
the salty I.uans. making the tea aud ar
ranging the details OF the rensst
xith arssventgv no trace Of ncr
f,rn,.s discomfort and unhsppincss in
ss,h.r baxr face az manner. He
s,arrsd vsaieGly into chair BY the win
sinx and sith .hc ho;neir scents az the
r,~sten mixing with the honest doors OF
Ann, Caisle's cookery. watched her Win
an amusement that vas as pleasant ana
grateful nj il Was strange and unprece"
Now. Gen" said Aun, Chloe 10 her bus
hand. As ssae pa, the tanishtns touch 20 The
renSst in plate of coughnass IS exGai-
49, br.4xn and shining ss Jacks eyes
s.srr a, ,ls..t moment, Hannibal. you just
r,,yn. axns AMI let deai two white quality
ehiglcn. e=ve dey TEA. pey's done starved.
shaah"
And wias, sn approving nod 10 JACK she
hnn1lei 10, husband irvm the room.
ma dor closed the yaang glri began
. - ,,se. cha tea hu: Jack remained in
his sea, b. the window. II ~as singular
.ensas on shish he did no; care to DIS,
,urh. pse~eatly. however. he Pose and
s.,,,nrsz q, the table with shiaing eyes.
We'll. what do yoa think OF Aunt
chlae's .sc,nangg" ne asked. smilingiy.
"oh, N. 50 sweet snd clean snd nome
like. sasts the cir. quickly. A. fny Other
sine he Would have WINGED a: the last al
Sectsve. Ii struck him nox As exactly the
word
.Woaia voa ike TO lire here II yca
could ?"