The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-15


belonged to me. But being as you're
Tom Brier's now--you're a pretty NO
man. Sally" he said, after looking al
her moment again. lei You hedn't
ben SO blamed toppn' an bound 10 have
your own way, ! wouldn't IA got red
or YOU You can hey your chico now
between Tom Brier an the river Oh
my head! My hcadr'
fhere was n rap on the door, and
then shadow fell through the little
passage-way into the bright kitchen
oh. forgot To bolt the door" cx-
claimed Mrs. Lavender.
I'm be bound We didr' cried Hum
rhrey. Who's them a comin' into folks
houses thout IL by your leavc!'
us me Humphrey, it's-ycs.-
me- piped II high thin voice with
something like an escapemcnt midway
OF its utteIaucc.
oh. MIR. Hodge" exclaimed Sally.
wiplng chair that was clean before
humphrey isni-isn'r quite as wen
who be your" cried uumnbr.v
telling him to set down in my house?
An YOU amt welcome here, Il spyln'
round Ivy Hodge, an YOU know it!''
MY deai%-Humphrey- really
think you can't know what-ycs wha,
ly. and taking the chair "a seclec'
mons welcome-ycs-'mo ,ny
where's"
"'Ceptin' here" said Humphrey, look
ing for his stick
How said Mr. Hodge.
said eNceptin here. An ! ain't
Eoih' ter hey YOU cXchangIn' looks with
that woman, cythcr She don't belong
mere, nv way thanks be To praise I've
anus KEEP thms rcsprcta BILE, an If
you've come To deal 'ith me ms a church
member don't stand in need OF none
OF your dealin 50 good -day To yc."
And as Mr.. Hodge did not 20. he STROBE
OFF himself through the open doorway.
"Oh. Mr. Hodge" exclaimed sally
breathlessly, II mus; go tool can't lie,
him OFF alone
That's jest II, yes, I may say. ies,
ii" said the Seleciman with his shor;
dry cough IL came To see about
yes. about a-rcmovin OF him, as | may
say to the asylum
oh, no. ne. | couldn't have IT," cried
Sally. but under her breath 1T would
break his heart Wen he come to- He'll
come round all right in a little while.
lie allis does. fou mustn't think of
II. II couldn't, Oh couldn't stan it
myself"
'l5ut, Mis- I.avcnder-it ain't-yes. ii
amt only YOU. only You | may say, an
him. us, IFS the community. yes, the
community. Nobody's safe. so 10 speak.
yes, nObody's safe with crazy man
loose
oh he Amt crazy, He's only Jest a
little mite outn his head He never'd
hurt n.y." she cried. hcsitating on the
point of one foot. and lying Oh her bon
net hurried by. sunbeams slanting
through her great brown eyes lifted in
their mild pi,ilul appeal "iIe won't
- "A san lsNtN,.
an I'm near every minute. an it's
most time for this spell to be over. an
must take him his hat.-he'n be so
mortified when he comes io.-an' he's
the best, OH. he's The very best husban'
any woman has Wen he's all himself
There. Mis- Lavender. don't now
don't get so. as | may say excited:
Hes a-leanin' onto the gate Eow, yes,
quite quiet. Yes an you needn't. that
is - say, YOU needn't worry none.
won't do nothin' 'thout yoilr-ycur CO.
operation. AS longs YOU can. yes con
troll him
Mostly ! can manage" she said her
fingers shaking 50 she could not tie her
honnet-strings. Hes really-really-
oh. he's fond of me
Yes. ! know. yes" said Mr. Hodge.
taking up his hat and pouring out the
handanna To mop his face. but don't
-ycs-don't You think you would
be happier, as YOU may say. safer, that
is. yes. easier every way, If he was took
care Of
ooh. Oh! Oh" suddenly cried the
little wOman covering her face with her
hands through which the tears spurted
Il cant bear another word! The dear
Lord knows what I've borne Already
wen first found il out--an' ! couldn't
believe i'll thought | was teched my
sclf-but Wen I'd wake up in the night
with his hans nj my throat And the
baby. oh. the baby
"By gracious!' cried the startled MIR
Hodge And he would have said "lsy
gracious!" again, If he could have ma de
up his mind in season. when she took
down her hands. wiped her eyes. and
with scarcely n trace OF her tears look
cd out Of the door and smiled. His
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