New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
AN INTERRUPTED MEAL.

troop Of five dogs rushed peil-fneli, WIN open
threats down n cleared slope toward the TWO
figures that had just left the woods They came
from a building standing half way up the space
or rather from group OF buildings one OF 'nss'
was a comparatively large log house; somewhat
in Its rear was a smaller one.
From the open door Of this latter dwelling
there stepped tall woman. She put one hand
to her lips and the other above her eyes. She
was easily erect. with had thrown back. 'ne
was not large because she was fat but b. roa-
son Of stalwart strong frame She c'1 not
know in the least what magnificent pose she
took. AlmIna Drowdy. looking up with weary
eyes. had only a dim sense Of something un-
usual She was not conscious OF much save the
hope and belief that she nearing a place
where she could get off that little horse, nut
herself I'D in a ROOM take off her gown and lie
down. She had not taken off her gown since she
left Hoyt She had a conviction that II she
could dlvest herself of that garment her mihu
would Immediately begin to clear.
The dogs eaped upon Temple. They mad the
appearance OF devouring her. They DIRE" DICK
and crouched down on their front paws. barking
furiously. They sprang into the air. whining
sharply. They sme,led exhaustvely at AlTiras
skirts.
Don't any of um bite" she asked feebly.
"Oh yes. indeed" was the reply; but they
generally are sure to bite the right person.
Almina tried to smile as she expressed the
hope that she was not the right person.
oh you're safe enough said Temple
In a moment more they had come within few
yards Of the woman. She advanced step, no"
with a hand on each hip.
Miss Drowdy's dazed eyes saw that she was a
yellow woman"
IT'S Sally" said Temple By way OF intro
ducton.
consciously dramatic movement Her eyes were
fixed on the thin elderly face from which neary
every vestIge Of life and expression had pee"
squeezed by fatigue and excitement
Sally made stride forward. -
Master King" she exclaimed. She extended
her arms. took Almina from the saddle ana
carried her into the house
Temple fingered moment TO get the 'dtcnei
and the umbrella; then she hastily unbuck'cI
the girths and the throatlash, ana slpped OH
saddle and bride. dropping them on the moor dt
the end OF the wide sioop that ran along III
front OF the house.
The pony gave little snort and cantered
away at his own will.
The girl stood an instant on the porch. and
looked off to Mt. Pisgah in the distance IN 'front.'
and at her right; her glance swept over me Dll
ferent neaks blue or black. She turned ana
razed at Busbee Mountain. which was so close
that II almost seemed 10 lean forward to""Iu
her; II revealed the seams and gullies on Us
surface.
where; there were no level spaces Sometimes
there were hollows and these hOHOWs ere
usually green with springing gram.
The sun was shining straight Town mo le'"-
plas face for she had thrown on her hdt.
she did not seem to MIND the sun.
As she looked abroad she suddenly pr ie9
the palms OF her hands tightly together ana
extended them. her face radiant.
Very soon she turned and went into the hois'.
THIS house Of logs and II was ali ground
door. .t,
she came 10 the !cor OF the fourth. This she
had selected for her visitor
Almina was lying on the gay-covered bed III
this apartment There patch OF sunlight
from the one small window and this patch WAS
In the middle o. the floor
The dea"' cried Aln.!na. as soon as she "a"
the girl.
why didn't you that woman pick rae
M = IL I'd been an infant babe? Yes. an ma II
babe And she put me On ms pea :, .s e
the folks in Hoyt could have seen me. but IL
Jest as we'll they didn't Who IL that wom' H.
any way ,.,
The speaker rose on her elbow and looked WIN
blinking eyes At her companion.
"Why that's Sally" was the answer
But she's a--well she's negro; c'lofea per-
son aint she?' with some hesitation
Miss Drowdy did no; know exactly no" these
people were mentioned in the South
shes not exactly negro" replied Temple
shes what call bright woman mere.
"A bright woman
Almlna was helplessy confused before su'a a
| remark as this. .
I or quadroon. something like that
"Oh"
The Yankee stranger losed her eyes for
moment. ,, .,., If,
she plnned up at the curtainless wind'E so thaI
the light should not be so glaring II had never
| occurred To her before that there were H' VIZ
,alns anywhere In the house
! Rv q great effort Almina kept her smar ing yes
shut She heard the girl moving 9Ile.S 40 =, ~,
the room She felt the blanket wnleh SaiS nc"
thrown over her drawn up more about he' Sno",.
ders She continued thinking about SatY' !.
was very curious that she had pcen consVluu . ~
| n sensation Of relief and comfort the hoW'"' ~ ~
! .hr,pht woman" had lifted her from the pony. II
| u,s trua mat sally had smeiled strongly of TO-
| bacco and u something indetinable when mgr,
| no what Almina in a general way cane" an
! And she was colored person. She h"u "e" "
| Sally whisper: ,,,r, nc sbo nor,
Pore critter yo'' Pore c'i''e'' az '"e
her burden into the bedroom 49,,
| And somehow II had been comfort ~ '"'
! time 10 be called n pore critter ,, -
sally had told her that she would prins sou''
tea and toast right soon" This she sald as sh'
laid Miss Drowdy on the bed 49,, o.,o, .,
ION. don't. don't Alnina had 'r'el;
mo no now, only jest e' me lay here ana sens,
that / aln't in the cars. ! want to sense 'ha'
amt In the cars - .ru Ia, a.,
| be fas' 'nough. stay hyar a week Il S' wan "
Blu, amt yo honsry .,,.. ,on,,,. had .,
49, aaono / d'know when shall git over ina
cavity. 1t STAINS by 3 II I'd ct a billed dinner
lest want 10 be let alone , -
When Temple had smut out me SUN an" ho, -, -.
covered her guest she stood hesi,a'r,s' ou ~.
Coon isft the room She went out OF the nous
nd across a space OF few yards to The sIh
log house which was sa,ly's kitchen ana S'''P
M Nc nav a smoking place. sally was sttlni
ON her heels in front Of the open hre. Sh'
had lust picked up live coal with her par
n e. and was putting IL sklfully on top or TN
Waco In her pipe sucking hard at the stem
she did -, ,,,,o, a, in.
figure In the always open doorway ana So ,.
! short laugh Then she bent forward ana stirred
rnn,ething that was In Il skillet that STOOD oNel
| - haan ~ Goals drawn ut on the stones or th'