The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-04-19


attempted that" taa Uj U8
II am fully aware that Miss Dows
possesses diplomatic accomplishments
and graces that cannot lay claim to-"
returned Courtland, bitterly.
The doctor lifted his eyebrows slight
ly, and changed the subject.
When he had gone Courtland called
for writing materials. He had already
made up his mind, and one course alone
seemed proper to him. He wrote to the
president of the company, detailing the
circumstances that had just occurred,
admitting the alleged provocation given
by his overseer, but pointing out the
terrorism of mob law which rendered
his own discipline impossible. He asked \
that the matter be reported to Washing
ton, and some measures secured for the
protection of the freedmen. In the
meantime he begged to tender his own
resignation, but he would stay until
his successor was appointed, or the
safety of his employees secured Until
then he should act upon his own re-
sponsibility and according to his judg-
ment. He made no personal charges,
mentioned no names, asked for no ex-
emplary prosecution or trial of the Of
tenders, but only demanded safe
guard against repetition Of the Of
fense. His next letter although less
formal and official was more difficult
1t was addressed to the commandant Of
a, loI 1Na, al hN
an old friend and former companion-in-
arms. He alluded to some converse
ton they had previously exchanged In
regard to the presence of small de-
tachment of troops at Redlands during
the elections-which Courtland at the
time however had automatically OPP
posed. He suggested it now as mat
ter Of public expediency and preven-
ton. When he had sealed the letters,
not caring to expose them to the es-
pionage of the local postmaster or his
ordinary servants, he iutrusted them to
one of Miss Sally's own henchmen, to
be posted at the next Office, at Bitter
Creek station, ten miles distant.
Unfortunately, this duty accom-
plished, the reaction consequent on his
still weak physical condition threw
him back upon himself-and his memo
ryl He had resolutely refused to think
Of Miss Sally; he had been able to with
stand the suggestions of her in the
presence OF her handmaid-supposed to
be potent in nursing and herb-lore-
whom she had detached to wait upon
him, and he had returned politely for
NAL acknowledgements TO her inquiries.
He had determined TO continue this
personal avoidance, as far as possible,
until he was relieved, on the ground OF
that business expediency which these
events had made necessary. She would
see that he was only accepting the argu-
ments with which she had met his
previous advances Briefly, he had re-
course to that hopeless logic by which q
man proves to himself that he has nc
reason for loving certain woman and
Is as incontestably convinced by the
same process that he has. And in the
midst of 1t he weakly fell asleep, and
dreamed that he and Miss Sally were
walking in the cemetery; that hide
GUS snake concealed among some
lilies, over which tho young girl wat
bending, had uplifted Its triangular
head TO strike That he seized II by the
neck. struggled with 1t until he was
nearly exhausted, when II suddenly
collapsed and shranll, leaving in his
palm the limp, crushed and delicately
perfumed little thread glove, which hc
remembered to have once slipped from
her hand.
When he awolke that perfume seemed
to be still in the air, distinct from the
fresh but homelier scents Of the garder
which stole through the window. A
sense of delicious coolness came with
the afternoon breeze that family trilleG
the slanting stats of the blind with &
slumberous humming as Of bees. Th'
golden glory Of a sinking southern sur
was penciling the cheap paper on the
wall with leafy tracery and glowing
arabesques. But, more than that, tho
calm Of some potent innuence-or somt
unseen presence-was upon him, which
he feared a movement might dispel
The chair at the foot Of his bed wa
empty. Sophy had gone out. He die
not turn his head to look further; his
languid eyes falling aimlessly upon the
carpet at his bedside suddenly dilated
for they fell also on the smallest foo
in the state"
| ii a. III al -
hand was laid gently yet firmly upor
his shoulder, and with faint rustic o
muslin skirts Miss Sally rose from aI
unseen chair at the head OF his bed ant
stood beside him.
Don't stir, connie, didn't sit wher,
could look in yo'r face for fea,
Of waking yo'. But I'll change scat
now" She moved 10 the chair tina
Sophy had vacated, drew IL slight,
nearer the bed, and sat down.
: "It was very kind Of you 10 come,
said Courtland, hesitatingly, as, with I
strong effort, he drew his eyes ava!
, from the fascinating vision, and re
gained a certain cold composure, "but
am afraid my illness has been great.
, magnified. l really am quite wei
. enough to be up and about my bust
, ness, II the doctor would permit II. Bu
. l shall certainly manage to attend b
, my duty tomorrow, and1 hope to be a
! your service"
Meaning that yo' don't care TO sc
me nOtS, co'nnle,' she said, lightly, witt
faint twinkle in her wise, sweet eyes
81 thought Of that, but as my busines
wouldn't wait, l brought It TO you.
She took from the folds of her gown
I, letter. To his utter amazement 1t wa
I the one he had given his overseer Z
I post 70 the commandant that morning