The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-24

yt.lded to fatigue and rlept sosrndiy, with
out thought Of the cool night-dews fall
ing around her.
She awoke from a troubled dream with
q start and sat up. bewildered b. hsr sur
roundings. a moment later. a dark form
moving among the trees made her heart
almost stop beating. Who could be
prowling around at his hour OF the nightY
Thoughts OF tramps filled her with terror.
but, summoning up courage. she stole
quietly after the vanishing form.
Whoever II was had gone around the
house to the kitchen, and was now flm-
bling at the kitchen door. The dogs
sprang forward. wagging their tails. AS
the figure turned toward them, Cam saw
the kindly black face of Aunt Dicey. her
nurse. and was now Aunt Carries trust
ed servant. With a cry of joyful relief.
Cam threw herself into the old woman's
arms.
"Fo' de Lawd's sake, Miss Cam, wizard
you spring rom? fought sholy you was
a hant."
30 Aunt Dicey. where have they all
gone? / have been here ages-ever since
long before dark. Didn't Aunt Carrie get
my letter.
Deed. honey chile. dunno. Dey
went away yistidday. Gone to visit
Mars James's folks. / jest slipped over
to Sylvys dis even. Her baby wuz sick.
and I've ben sittin' up wild It. But come
in out Of de night-air. You took right
down pale and holler-eyed." And Aunt
Dicey hustled around. bringing out milk
and bread and butter and cake. And.
after a midnight meal, Cam was taken up
stairs into the little. familiar room which
she had always known as hers. and Aunt
Dicey's willing hands helped her 10 un-
dress.
when will they be at home. do you
think, Aunt Dicey?" she said, as with a
sigh of content she sank into her fra
grant nest.
"Dey said tomorrow even some time:
but law, honey. faint jist sartin. How
sumever. spect Mars Ben will want TO
be here, SOS TO be on hand Monday morn
in"
well goodnight, Aunt Dicey. Be sure
to have chicken for breakfast" Aud
Cam soon lapsed into sleep.
BIT when morning came. Cam was in
no condition to enjoy Aunt Dicey's dainty
breakfast. Fevcrish. with throbbing head
and aching limbs she tossed on her little
bed.
The faithful old woman darkened the
room. brought cooling drinks. and with
big turkeytail fan kept off troublesome
flies that disturbed Cams feverIsh slum-
bers. But hoy the girl longed for home.
or for Aunt Carries comingl
Toward evening she was aroused from a
troubled sleep by the sound of wheels.
There they are, Aunt Dcey." she ex-
claimed. 'Oh. please send Aunt Carrie
here"
In moment hurried footsteps came up
the stairs. and pair OF kind arms were
around Cam and her feverish cheeks
pressed close to the cool, fresh ones OF
Aunt Carrie.
There were many words OF explanation
''Of course we did not get your letter
Cam" said Aunt Carrie. You did not
write, you say until Wednesday We
sent for the mail early Thursday morn
ing. but your letter, Of course, had not
reached the Office. Then We started TO
James's early on Friday, never dreaming
OF your coming, as you had written that
you were going to Aunt Rates. . Cam.
II you only were not" But glance
at her nieces flushed cheeks and fearful
eyes checked the words on Aunt Carries
lips. and she only kissed Cam, and shook
up her pillows and laid her down on them.
saying cheerfully: Never mind. dear
Now that am here, am going to nurse
you famously so that I'm a few days you
will be well again: and then won't we
have nice times together.'
A week later Cam. still pale and languid,
but with pretty pink wrapper on that
gave some color to her face, leaned back
I'm a rocking-chair on the vine-covered
porch. Aunt Carrie, with her sewing
basket by her side. sat near her. The
scene before them was beautiful. From
the house the lawn sloped down toward
the river. and a gorgeous sunset was
painted on the clouds and reflected on
the shimmering, changing water I'm hues
OF the rainbow. A cool breeze gently
stirred the trees, and from afar on the
canal came the sound OF a boat-horn.
There is boat coming through the
lock. Aunt Carrie" said Cam. Hear the
horn How good il seems to be out OF
doors ,agslin, Just to think, A whole
week of my visit spent I'm bed. and /
could not 20 to Edna Lees lawn-party.
nor on the fishing excursion. / know,
Aunt Carrie. what you are thinking: 1t Is
all my fault. know that. But Aunt Car
RE | am not going TO deserve the name
Of Cam any more. ] want you 10 call me
Bessie, and only say Cam 10 me when
you think am getting crazy and change
able again. If | had only kept 10 my
word, and not mixed things up so. would
not have made so much trouble for every
body. Rob would not have refused that
invitation to the mountains-for | know
he only stayed at home because his moth
err told him 1t would not be polite 10 go
when 1 was coming: you, dear auntie,