The Van Buren press., 1894-09-22

that blazed quickly. As she broppht
out the inevitable frying-pan of the
south she sang short snatches of sono
often breaking off abruptly and glanc.
ing over her shoulder at the open door.
suddenly she uttered little cry. In
the shadow of the doorway stood a
mana dark, rugged figure-with a
child asleep in his arms. When he
saw sse had noticed MIN he walked in
and laid the child softly on a low
couch, then sat down by the rough
pine table. He did not once look at
her or speak
She had held out her arms to the
child, but seeing him so sound asleep,
went back to her cooking.
Presently she looked at her husband
and said timidly, but in probitiatory
tone:
"Yo're late tonight, Nathan"
lie gave her so harsh look that
she drew back as if afraid, and bent
Over the child to see If he had
awakened.
Presently she looked again toward
her husband, as il she faneied she had
misunderstood him and said.
"Yo' seem out O. sorts, Nathan. Did
the child poster yo while yo' wur
workin'? Yo'd better leave him with
me mex time"
He laughed sneeringly. "Yo' wanted
him, didn't yo'?" He paused moment
and went on as If with difficulty.
81 was plowin' ON the ridge, an
seen yo' an that feller tergether
amt no need ter say mo-"
why, Nathan!"-her voice was
raised little, as II with excitement.
He broke in roughly
"Stop. Don't tell no lie. seen yo'
both, an thet man'd been dead, but
amt kearin' ter tell the neighborhood.
Henceforward yo' amt no wife of
mine."
II don't suppose yo ever reared fur
me, anyhow Yo' never said yo' loved
me since the day we was married. :"
There was half passionate ring in
her childish voice.
''Ther' warn't no call fur me to say
anything. Iwus yo' husband"
She began again eagerly, this time
returning to his accusation. "Yo' don't
understan', Nathan
He stopped her, her whole face work.
ing convulsively. II do understan'
well enuf, an don't want no lies"
Her face changed its pink TO white
its soft contours hardening into =
curious rigidity. She made no at
tempt to speak again. She took the
little shawl down that hung on a nail,
and spread it over the child's bare
feet. He was pretty boy OF four and
his long dark lashes lay without a
quiver against his rosy cheeks. She
caught her breath quickly, but she
made no appeal. Her sunbonnet had
fallen on the floor-a sign pregnant
with tragedy in this rude life-she
picked it up, and moved toward the
door as her husband repeated huskily:
"Yo' amt no wife O. mine"
Out of doors it was very dark. The
cabin stood in the clearing. and close
around were the woods, black, full OF
strange sounds, full of moving shadows
cast by one knew not what. Inside,
the circle of light thrown by the pine
knots. and the child's soft breathing
promised safety at least For one Sec
ond she stood, irresolute, on the thres-
hold. Her lips were set, but her men,
ory conjured up distorted images,
chants" and wolves, or painters
which was it cried like child?
The man spoke sternly: "Yo' seem
ter forgit the baby and yo' duty ter
him. If yo' amt my wife, yo' can't un'
do bein his mother"
Mandy's head dropped, the bonnet
fell from her hand, and she turned
back to the hearth.
Was it rescue? Was she guilty?
She did not utter another word. Primi-
tive natures are like children; the
sprine of confidence once broken 1T is
impossible to restore it. Question, re-
proach, accusation, elicit nothing'
thenceforth they are dumb
The man who had told her good oy
was gone. The uneventful mountain
life closed over him as still water over
a stone. He was confederate sololer
with a wounded leg, who had asked
shelter until he was able to reJoin ms
regiment. Mandy knew nothing more
of him except that he was young IKE
herself and ready to jest, and the
cabin for the first time was lively
But Nathan had quickly disllked hlm'
Mandy felt as If life had closed over
her also. Nathan did not speak to her.
nor in anywise notice her she IAN
cied herself like a ghost, un-
seen, unheard, by the living-eAcepe
when the child was with her Before
this he had run after his father all day
over the fields, or staid by him at his
,vork for hours; but now either Man
dv,s ;mperious need for human aHec-
zion unconsciously drew him. or nc
was not so well. At any rate he couia
not be induced to leave her.
ore dav in the ealy fall she had
.,l,on him to the ridge to look 1or
sh.etruts It was clear weather ana
there was a sparkle of frost in the arr
the dry leaves rustled under their iees, 'es ~
She She was surprised that he seemed
drowsy and tired so quickly ol ,us I;s
ssarch but she took him up, ana ms
head dropped on her shoulder
presently he raised his head, soar, anu
listened intently. Doo'n'
| Nanny, big gunsl'