San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-01-03
specnIauon ram riot as 10 Ills cause.

speculation ran riot as to It's cause.
Charley Clayton died in midsummer.
At Christmas, two years later, the coun'
ty was agog. Summerlands was TO be
opened again with a great ball. Cards
for ii had gone far and wide, and every
body was firmly resolved to see its new
splendors. The night fell clear and chill.
Midday had been springlike, but at sun
down a nipping wind sprang up By
moonrise there was powdering of frost
on the turf that gave all the fields a
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 i'll 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 Q
O'Clock.
As the clock was upon the stroke a
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 a slen-
der woman upon his arm, saying as he
wrung the nearest outheld hand:
"How / thank my friends, one and
all, for coming thus to welcome Mrs.
Austin Reidl"
An electric thrill went through the
o~nlookers. 1t 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 a heavy
fall. Yellow Jim lay senseless at the
feet of the bride.
After midnight, as he lay staring into
the darkness, praying for the death he
had so pitifully escaped, cautious steps
came to his bedside, the fame of a a n
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 was at her
elbow. AS the two Of them came beside
him she said to Nanny Lou:
SIS you right sho', nanny, jim
done struck wild death?"
"How come you akin me dat? Dead
ner libin, he amt not nebber gwine be
not no mo- ter you an yo' mistls' 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"
"I-I not stud'in bout dat" July
said with a deep sigh. But, Nanny
Lou, eff you's er good CONAN, don't lei
Jim git we'll. Miss 'Zette, she do 'spises
him. Us knows why-he wuz in her
way, stayin o lex he did, when
Mist Charley Clayton an her yother
beaux come roun. l knows she amt
nebber gwine res tell she git dis new
husban ter sell him. He wuss er fool
erbout her, an ebber Marse CARL wuz.
She say she married him-Marse CARL
you knows-fer de prop'ty. Dis time, ]
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.
$50 awayr' he cried, sitting up
right. As they ran from him, Nanny
Lou said:
Lord! But don dat soun lex hit wuz
Marse Car'll's ghos'r'
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 a minute
he got no answer; then the servant said
cts Yellow Jim, sir. He"-
Don't tell me he is dead, or in seri-
GUS danger" Nh. Reid said, making to
leave his seat. The black boy looked
down, saying "No, sir; not dead-but
-but-we-you won't see him no more.
He come out ter the stable early this
mornin with his bundle an tole Unc'
Peter he wuz goin in the swamp ter
stay"
1.-THE ~ungrateful fellow! l never did
like him. / am glad he's gone. Don't
fret about him, dear. 1t is a good rid
dance" the new Mrs. Reid said, set
Ting to her breakfast with dainty appe-
tite.
CHAPTER ".
Summerlands lay in the heart of the