The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-12
sELINA'S REVENGE.
BY j. Ii. c~oNNELLY.

Dick Bcardslcy dismounted Mt tho door of
Unclo Job Hausor's store, which, with it's
adjuncts of tavern and ferry, was ono of
tho most important ~placcs-outsido ronl
towns-on tho White river, and known all
over southern Indiana simply as "Hau-
ser's." Responding to tho questions put
by genial Cnclo job, ho said that he was
on his way to Bloomington, ION court
business" but would not cross tho river
until the morrow.
"That'n he safest, 1 reckon replied tho
landlord. They've been crossin on tho
leo since yesterday mornin, but it's sort o
risky yet. 'Tain't maxim any now, but if
tho wind gets up an n leetle colder may
poet it to hold your %crittcr, though"
Don't need to. I'll leave him hero and
hire another over at Arncy's."
Yes, you can do that. Won't you como
in III take suthin?" And tho hostlor led
Dicks horse to tho stable, and the two
men ontcrod tho store, n long, low room,
with u bar at one end md q shocbox, to
hold the United States mails, ut the other,
tho intermediate space containing u won
drously diversified stock of miscellaneous
goods. Presently supper was announced,
and they went for it to another building,
back of the store, but joined to it queerly
through overlapping corners. There were
Il number of buildings in "Hauser's,"
each of which had the air of being an an
hex to all tho others, and the way through
them had quito a labyrinthino effect upon
a stranger.
Mosopotamia-commonly called "Mes,"
for short-a black girl, fat, pert aud
thoughtless ms u hcn-waited on tho table.
In II moments leisure, while she was in
the kitchen, she said to Selma Hauser,
Uncle jobs daughter, do gelmman dat
hi'ed me dem two munfs in larry Hut is
in da catin. He's mos dc fines lookin
man cher L see, an n might big lawyah,
dey say. Lor! How he's vito do dress
up! H'm'm'm! An dey got dc p~ooticst
baby L ebcr see"
With n girls natural curiosity to see one
Wanted Us Il fine looking man, Selma on
tered tho short ~passageway leading from
tho kitchen to the dining room and looked
into the latter, through the augur hole
bored in tho door to enable observation.
OF tho dozen or more men at tho table she
saw only one, and though his back was
toward her she knew him. His curly
black hair, soft white hand gesticulating
much and mellifluous voice that seemed
TO go on steadily by itself, whether he was
eating or not, established his identity to
her perfectly. But he could not have been
the man.
Turning TO Mos, who stood at her OIL
bow, she asked in n tone of bowildercd
surprise, You didn't mean Mr.. Boards
ley, did your"
Eyes, miss, OATS him; OATS his name"
Summoned by a gathering spoon and
cup, the waitress darted into the dining
room to supply somebody's demand for
moro coffee. Selma leaned against the
wall IN SIID1Ort hnrSa1f .y,1 urn xrt;,a ,c
tho lips.
Selma" cried her mother from the
fireplace, whats on 'a'th are you poekin
thar for? Them minces must be het up
by this time. Get lem up and send 'em
i'll aforc they're burned to n coal.'
The girl resumed her culinary duties,
working mechanically, almost uncon-
sciously, with Il mans faco in her minds
eye all tho timc-a handsome, impudent,
sensual looking face.
AS the men art the table got through eat
ing they went out, stopping to light pipes
mt tho door, until only the landlord and
Dick were left at tho table. Presently
Uncle job was called, and Dick sat alone,
making up for the time he had lost in
talking. Mes was busy carrying armfuis
Of dishes to tho kitchen.
"Mcs,' Selma whispered to her rs she
l''"'''NAj R9N tiih " iilo viz hilll GIlit
arc. stand ON the far side of the table,
so that he'll speak up and l can hear what
no says"
AT tho first opportunity, when by some
excessive chatter she had caught his attcn-
ton, Mes asked him, with n gigglc, Don't
you know me-, Mistah Bea'dsley?''
Ho started, glanced neryously around
and with an air of gratiflcd surprise cx-
claimed, why, l declare it's Mesopota-
mia!"
Yes, sab, it's me. I know'd you dc
mint seed you, sab. Nobody can't done
fo'gct you, sab. How's Missus Bca'dsley
IN do baby?''
Again he looked cautiously about be-
fore replying in u lower tone, ooh, they're
worry WE'LL"
The girl behind the loo staggered as if
from II blow.
''Mons'us fine chile, dat all baby. Mis-.
tab Bca'dsley. Jcs like hos daddy"
Come around here, Mes"
She weut to him, and ho continued as
lie put n coin in her hand: Here's a dol
lar from him for your remembering him,
but you needn't say anything here about
knowing my family. Don't lot OH you
know mo ut all, and I'll bring you q nico
dress pattern from Bloomington for your
Christmas"
You pow'ful good, Mistah Boa'dslcy.
l won't shy muffin to nobody.n But in
tho Kitchen she whispered, with an excited
gigglc, to Selma, ''Hc don CUB me q dol
lab to keep my mouf shct!'
II heard him." the girl replied, turning
with a haggard white face to her work.
A couple of hours later Selma drew n
heavy shawl over her head, slipped ont
and went To y giant sycamore ircc-the
ono to which the guide limo of tho ferry
scow was made fast-ncar tho edge of tie
bluff clay hauk horr su""c 2 fc"' -
the river. There, as she had expected, she
found Dick Bcardsley waiting for her.
tDnrlina ~ In nyclnininl Ehnu. lnno