The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-02-09

Ns
wherever there was a puddle. The
smell of the pine forests came to me
upon the wind. and nearer the odor of
roses and magnolias. All was wild and
sweet. Nothing was orderly-every-
thing. to my eyes at least, was beauti-
full. exceedingly. And there was my
dear ole home-oh, my dear old home!
Oh, the sadly passionate memories that
rushed into my heart!
Father, 1 whispered. 20 my dar-
ling father! Shall l never see you
AGAIN. The tears poured down my
cheeks, but | checked them quickly.
| had come home to make poor Victor
inc happy, not to sadden her. Poor
Victorine! She had pinched and saved
SO long. but that was all over now At
last she should find everything easy and
comfortable. 1t was for her sake that
l had banished myself.
There was the house. 1t was always
the prettiest in the neighborhood. There
We're the dear white roses. nodding well
come at the garden gate.
But now saw something rather new.
- ~ LIN III VI tllC SCCOI1u
floor. that of Victorine's bedroom, was
thrust a long staff. from which foated
the Confederate flag, and as Black
Dan opened the stage door and |
Lighted down | heard the tones of the
somewhat cracked piano. ON which Vic
torlne-l knew her touch-was playing
The Bonnie Blue Flag" with great ex-
preston.
The noise Of the wheels brought Aunt
Emily to the door-Aunt Emily just as
l left her, kerchiefed in crimson, at
tired in check. smiling, rotund. black
as ebony.
Dress de chile, she amt altered
non She am only growed up, cried
the soft, sweet negro voice. Dress de
chile. I'd knowed her anywhere
Then | was clasped to her bosom, Sob
bling in spite of myself. And still VIC
torine banged away at the Bonnie Blue
Flag with an energy that assured me
of her strength and vigor.
why doesn't she come to meet me?''
whispered to Aunt Emily.
Don't yo' mine. honey" replied
my old nurse. Her heart come, only
she got n of her crankums on. Mighty
high strung, Miss Victorine is. Don
20 mine. G'long in, g'long in an get
it over. With this she gave me a push
that sent me acros the sill of the par
lor door, and the music ceased. My
half sister started to her feet, but in
stead of advancing retreated into the
corner, her arms outstretched, her palms
toward me.
Halt" she said in solemn tones.
mot IA step nearer until you reply to
my questions. Have you come home
with northern principles or southern
principles? Answer. Persis Carlton;
answer truly"
| looked at her, tall and dark, with
her eyes flashing and her brows bent,
and began to cry, and then began to
laugh, then grew hysterical, and be-
tween sohs and giggles managed to ex-
claim:
!. "Oh, Vicky, darling, don't. haven't
come home with any principles what
J ever. | am utterly destitute of prin-
ciples of any sort. I've just plain come
home. Oh, sister Vicky, don't stare at
me so! Come and kiss me-
Come kiss 20 sister. Stop actin jess
like 20 got no feelin, Miss Victorine,"
said Aunt Emily. rs clar ashamed
of yo', | is, and dat's de truff." And
then Victorine gave a gasp and rushed
toward me, and we clasped and kissed
and kissed and clasped again. and Aunt
! Emily glided out of the room, shutting
the door behind her. And of the two
l think my half sister wept the longer.
Then we talked and talked as though
we would never have done, about old
times and what we had thought and
hoped and suffered.
At last the door opened, and what a
fragrance of good things rushed through
it! Odors of coffee and broiled chick
en- and corn cake and wheat biscuit and
roasted sweet potatoes and persimmon
! preserves. sliced oranges. and | know
not what else.
"Chillun, come to supper" said
Aunt Emily, and hand in hand we
came to the feast prepared in my honor.
Aunt Emily waited on us, joining in
our talk. The day closed in while we
were still at table. and the level sun
sent its red ray across the cloth. Aunt
Emily went to the window to close the
blinds and paused there with a low cry
OF. For de land, dem norf folks pigs
is in de gardin agin!"
1.-The second time this week." said
VictOrine. She snranp TO her feet.
seized the tongs and thrust a feather
buster into my hands.
Come. . she cried. A moment more
and we were in the garden, REINFORCED
by Aunt Emily, armed with a broom.
CHAPTER IL.
Did you ever chase pigs u of a gar
den? Ii not, you can never imagine
what a time we had of it-how by the
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