The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-30

master, who, it was said, made more of
him, gave him greater authority and
liberty than even the Austins had done.
There were times indeed when he
had sole charge of everything. Mr.. Reid
made journeys somewhere that took I'M
weeks and weeks. But none knew more
than the fact Of his absence, though
speculation ran riot as to its cause.
Charley Clayton died in midsummer.
At Christmas, two years later, the coun-
ty was agog. Summerlands was to be
opened again with great ball. Cards
for it had gone far and wide, and eyery-
body was firmly resolved to see it's new
splendors. The night fell clear ans chill.
Midday had been springlike, but at sun
down nipping wind sprang up. By
moonrise there was powdering of frost
on the turf that gave all the fields
ghost dim radiance.
Within every door stood wide. There
were such log fires burning upon all the
hearths as made midsummer warmth in
spite OF it, particularly in the big hall
upon which the parlors gave. The en-
trance door led into it likewise, and
there the thronging guests massed them
selves to await the coming Of their host.
Yellow Jim had met them with news
that he was unavoidably delayed, but
would surely reach home before o
O'Clock.
AS the clock was upon the stroke
carriage rolled to the door. -Four black
horses drew it, brave in gold mounted
harness. The driver sat proudly upright.
The lackey beside him had so lost his
dignity as to grin at the groom, who
had rushed to the teams head. But
mighty few needed that. Austin Reid
had come among his guests with slen-
der woman upon his arm, saying as he
wrung the nearest outheld hand:
Chow thank my friends, one and
all, for coming thus to welcome Mrs
Austin Reid!'
An electric thrill went through the
onlookers. It was Lisette Austin who
smiled at them from her depths of silk
and fur. Before the readiest could frame
his lips to speech, there was heavy
fall. Yellow Jim lay senseless at the
feet Of the bride
n
After midnight, as be lay staring into
the darkness, praying for the death he
had SO pitifully escaped, cautious steps
came to his bedside, the flame of can.
die, shaded with the hand, fell down
upon his face. Nanny Lou, the plan
tation sick nurse, was gazing at him
She was old and black, bent and very
wrinkled, but held among her fellows
to have the power of life and death. A
tall younger black woman Vas at her
elbow. AS the two Of them came beside
him she said to Nanny Lou:
Ills you right sho', nanny, Jim
done struck wild death?''
'sHow come you akin me dat? Dead
ner libin, he amt not nebber gwine be
not no mo- ter you an yo' lnistis' hus-
bans niger" the old woman said. 81
fought you foun dat out, Julyann, when
you stay yere in Marse Car'll's life
time. -
CT not stud'in bout dat,'' July
said with deep sigh. "But, Nanny
Lou, eff you's er good CONAN, don't let
Jim git we'll. Miss 'zette, she do 'spises
him. Us knows why-he wuz in her
way, stayin roun lex he did, when
Mist Charley Clayton an her yother
beaux come roun. knows she ain
nebber gwine res tell she git dis new
husban ter sell him. He wuss er fool
erbout her, an ebber Marse Car'll wuz.
She say she married him-Marse Car II
you knows-fer de prop'ty. Dis time, I
spec, she done got hit fast an tight.
''Jim better had die, eff dat so,"
Nanny Lou said compassionately.
Julyann bent and laid her lips to his
forehead.
go awayP' he cried, sitting up
right. AS they ran from him, Nanny
Lou said:
"Lord! But don dat SCUM lex hit wuz
Marse Car'll's ghos'!''
Coming late next morning to a lei
surely breakfast. Mr.. Reid found his
household under stress of some unusual
happening.
''What is the matter?'' he asked Of
the man behind his chair. For . minute
he got no answer; then the servant said:
"It's Yellow Jim, sir. He"-
'Don't tell me he is dead, or in seri-
GUS danger, % Mr.. Reid said, making to
leave his seat. The black boy looked
down, saying: "No, sir; not dead-but
--but-we--you won'tsee him no more.
He come out ter the stable early this
mornin with his bundle an tole Unc'
Peter he wuE goia in the swamp ter
stay
"The ungrateful fellow! Inever did
IKE him. am glad he's gone. Don't
fret about him, dear. It is good rid
Dance" the new Mrs. Reid said, set
fling to her breakfast with dainty appe-
lite.
CHAPTER Nv.
Summerlands lay in the heart of the
Cumberland valley. War was raging
there less than two years from that
Christmas night. Tennessee, the Volun-
L., C4o4o ELL, :r,e+;GoJ how ,,o~,,o 49,