The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-25

would lead you toto infer" STAN
mered the Colonel.
"That is the mischief Of it; you never
! said or wrote a word from which l could
infer anything" said the Squire, now
master of the situation.
But you have just told me that
Ralph cared to know nothing"
so I did, but am not Ralph Den
ham; if I were, I might feel just as he
does. One more question before you
leave" said the Squire, as Col. Graham
rose to take his departure.
What is it?"
Are the parents Of Ralph Denham
living?"
"One Of them is," replied Graham,
now on his guard.
Which one?"
Il am not at liberty to tell
Why not?"
II cannot explain.
Another question" said the Squire,
coming between his visitor and the
door.
"Well?"
Again. are you Ralph Denham's
father?"
Il am not" with another start.
Are you OF his blood?"
Mo-"
@ls he legitimate?" asked the Squire,
bringing down his arm, as If to imply
that this was his Last question.
What matters that to you; why
should you wish to know"
For one good reason-the happiness
Of Ralph may depend on his being OF
legitimate birth.
BE good enough to explain"
Ralph Denham loves beautiful girl,
she is Of good family, and feel that If
the cloud were lifted from his antece-
dents, 30 far as 20 show that he came Of
honest parents, that his suit would not
be rejected.
is the young lady your daug hter,
Squire Condit?" asked Col. Graham,
with smile, that had in it something
satanic.
Il cannot answer that till you have
answered me-"
Then you will never answer, nor
shall I suffer anxiety for the lack OF
knowing who Ralph Denham's ladyloVe
is"
Col. Graham took another stride In
the direction Of the door, and came to
sudden stop. Without looking at the
Squire, he continued:
You are a man Of sense, and so
need not impress on you the Importance
of keeping our conversation to yourself.
II you have Ralph Denham's happiness
at heart, you will not tell him why l
called. We shall meet again, and very
soon."
With a frigid bow. Colonel Graham
left the room, and, addressing the ne
gro as "Othello, bade him follow him.
Othello threw his burden across his
shoulders, with an ease tha: showed
wonderful strength, and followed, with
the long, swinging stride that mani
tested endurance equal to his strength.
When Colonel Graham reached the
town of Sag Harbor, an hour or two be-
fore his appearance at Squire Condit's,
he dispatched messenger to Captain
Fox, asking him to send boat for him.
This boat, under the command Of
Lieutenant Frenauld, was now waiting
on the beach.
In minute more, the Colonel and
his servant would have been on board,
and on their way to the ship, but an in
cident that astonished the Colonel pre-
vented his progress for some time.
Old Dinah, who had been talking, in
her disjointed way, to Ellen Condit and
Lea Hedges, left the group, with the in
tention Of going TO her home, some
miles away.
She caught sight of Colonel Graham
approaching, and she came to sudden
halt, raised her lean, black hands, and
shouted:
"Lod Paliton! Lod Paliton, or de
dead! Where hev you come from, wan
derip' back en- foth--"
Hist, 'Dlnah!- said Colonel Graham,
rushing toward the old woman, and
speaking in a whisper, Indicative Of
alarm. do not speak now; do not
know me yet awhile, and you shall have
gold"
"Blood-red gold! blood-red gold. But
who's dis? Who am de black boy?
She ran at Othello, and took off his
cap revealing circular scar on his fore
he ad.
Hello! hello! de son OF my darter!"
The old woman caught the young
black man in her arms, and kissed him,
and cried and laughed alternately, while
he, still supporting his burden, asked
in perplexed way:
is you my granny ez ran away from
Bermuda nigh onter twenty yeah agone,
and all said was drownded?"
lie yer granny, 'Thello. Har Is in
de flesh, OF watts left Of me. I'm the
mudder OF yer mudder. But tell me, is
YOU de sarvint of dat mani" she asked,
pointing a skinny, black finger at the
perplexed Colonel, who was now biting
his gray mustache, and LOOKING
anxiously from Dinah to the waiting
boat.
"Ye-yas. he bought me foh foive
'uuerd," replied Othello, his face show
ing that the unexpected discovery OF
his grandmother did not afford him any
great amonnt OF pleasure.
"En-en yer both a-gwine to dat
ship" said Dinah, pointing to the
Wanderer.
Vegas, responded the still astound-
ed, servant.
Coming close to Colonel Graham, the
old woman whispered:
You've got to see me soon agin.
But where do you live?" asked the
Colonel, glad to see his way to getting
rid OF the crone.
"Mong the Montauks. Ha, ha, ha!
l was black woman in Bermooda; hea
lie Hinjin priestess-ess.
onel. motioning for his servant to follow
him.
You've got to see me agin. Yell be
'bleedged to see me. Now 60 to SEQ
Capn Wolf. Goodbye, 'Thello, come
en- see yer granny, honey"
Chuckling to herself, as if she thought