The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-07-18

like" said the girl quickly. AT any other
time he would have WINGED at the last aid
jectve, It struck him now as exactly the
WORD. ,,,
Yown and gazed fiXedly ut Jack.
Because you can. Look here! l
smoke to Hannibal about it. You can
have the two front rooms if you want to.
One of 'eIn is big enough and light enough
for a studio to do your work III. You tell
that nigger what you want to put in EN-,
and he's got my orders to do ii. l told him
about your painting-said you were the
daughter of an old friend. you know Hold
-Sophy-d-n it ALL Eve got to do u
little glt-edged lying, but | let YOU out of
the niece business this time Yes. from
this moment I'm no longer your uncle L
St.ounce the relationship. lis hard, con-
tinued the rascal, ''aftcr all these years
and considering Sister Mary's feelings; but,
as you seem to wish it. it must be done.
Sophys steel blue eyes sottened Sne
slid her long brown hand across the table
and graspel Jacks. He returned the pres
sure quick and fratcrnally. even to that liif-
shamed half-hurr.ed evasion OF emotion
peculiar to all brothers. This was also II
new sensation, but he liked it. ;. ;,
You are too-too good, Mr.. Hanlin,
she said quietly. ~
yes" said Jack cheerfuly. chats what
the matter with me. 1t lsn natural. anu anu
if I keep it up too long it brings on my
cough 49,,
Nevertheless. they were happy in boy,
an.I-rirl-like fashion. eating heartily. and
I fear not always dccorousy; scramohnS
somewhat for the straWnerfi9s, ana s Hi
ing tlcIr lips over the Sally LuAns. Mean
i me. it was arranged that Mr.. fiamlin
should inform Miss Mix that Sophy wGnid
leave school at the end of the term. only
a few days hence and then transfer herself
IL, It'll for ;l,y sorry n a..
where she could more easily pursue her
stlllies in her own profession. She need
NOT MAKE, her place of abode secret.
neither need she court publicity. She would
write fo Jack regularly, informing HIM OF
her progress AMI he would visit her when
ever he ccnli. Jack sassentcl gravey to
tho Further proposition that he WIS 10
keen Il strict account of all the moneys he
advanced her, and that she was to repay
him nnt OF the proceeds of her first pictures.
He had promised. also. with slight mental
preservation. not to buy them all himself,
but 10 trust f" her success with the public.
They were never to talk OF what had hap
pencd before; sh" WAS 10 begin lille anew.
OF Sl"n were their condolences. spoken often
together 1T the slime moment and with their
uouti, full Only "il" thing troubled Jack;
hr had not set told hcr frankly vino he was
and what UaS his reputation: he had hthcr-
t. cHrt'eSsiy supposed she would learn 1t,
and nj truth had cared little If she did: but
II WIS tNltltllt 1iplH Hti toHN cISftlioH iHitI
dav that by some miracle she was still in
ignorance Unable to tell her himself he
had charged Hannibal to break it to her
casually after he WAS gone. You can let
me Down easy ii you like, but you'd better
make Il square deal of it while your about
it, And" Jack had added checriuly. IF she
thinks after that she'd better drop me en-
tirely. you just SAY that if she wishes to
stay you'll see that don't ever come here
again And you keep your word about it,
on | d
thrash you.
Nevertheless when Hannibal and Aunt
Chloe returned to clear away the rcpnst
they were harmonious party, albeit Mr..
Iiamlin seemed more content to watch
them silently from his chair by the window,
q cigar between his lips, and the pleasant
distraction of the homely scents and sounds
of the garden in his senses. Alusi0n having
been made again TO the morning perform
ance of the organ, he was implored by Han
nibal to diversity his talent by exercising 1t
on an old guitar which had passed into that
retainer'S possession with certain clothes of
his masters when they separated. Mr.;
Han1lin accepted obviously: it had tWang2d
under his volatile fingers in more pretcn-
IioUS halls. But presently he raised his tenor
voice and soft brown }ashcs 10 the humble
ceiling and sang Way down upon the
S'wance" diScourscI Jack plaintivcly, Far.
far away. thar's where the old folks stay.
The two dusky scions OF an emotional race
that had been wont to SWcetcn It's toll and
condOne its wrongs with music, sat wrapt
and silent, Swaying with Jacks voice until
they could burst in upon the chorus. The
jasmine vines trillcd softly with the after
noon breeze, Il slender yellow-hammer per-
haps enuous of Jack. swung himself from
an outer spray and peered curiouoy into the
ROOM and Il few nelghbQrS gathering ut their
doors and windows remarked that after ali
when ii came to real singing no one could
beat those id ni"oers."
The sun was slowly sinking in the roll
ing gold of the river when Jack and Sophy
started slowly back through the broken