Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-25
CHAPTER v.

"A
mis-, riding home through the deepening
dusk, met horseman, at sight of whom
she turned her own beast square across
the narrow road, barring his progress
until she had questioned him to her
hearts content. Evidently the answers
pleased her. Very shortly she rode on,
Chuckling aloud. She got down at her
own stile in tcmpostuous good hunor,
patted the head Of Il lank hound which
came to greet her and strodc within the
SQUAT log house, which had one door
ajar.
1t was mean and squalid, forlornly
weather beaten and full Of slattcrnly
discomfort. The open passway between
the two pens was like u muck heap.
Racks had been set upon the log walls
either sido for holding guns and snd-
dies Mrs AnniS noted with pleasure
that all of them We're empty. She slung
her own riding gear in place. saying
half under breath: "Ef that thar fool
Noch jest will keep crway! He shorely
had better Some cr his gang has got
faces ter hang 'e,n anywhar's. He's er
plumb fool of he don't stay way one
while. kin manage Magnolyer by her
se'f, an onless I'm rcckonin mighty
wrong III manage it so be kin change
his business fer better, and that right
soon.
Magnolia stood listlessly in front OF
the fireplace, with yet spark at bot
tom Of her velyety eyes. 1t had been
kinGled by sight of gorgeous silk
handkerchief and some lengths of broad
red ribbon which lay across her arm.
Without q word she held them toward
the old woman. who said, with harsh
laugh, lingering them eagerly:
$50 he's fetchin things ter you er-
ready, agh? met him in the road; had
er nice dish er chat with him, too,
though he was in sech CT hurry. Now,
you listen at me, Magnolyer, jest you
mind me, an you kin marry Ben Top
mark an be as big or dog as any or the
big dogs"
Magnolia flung her arms above her
head, with quick shiver.
"Iwoon't have heem, she said duly.
II woouldn' tho, not for nurthin.
All | wants er heem is-murney. l
wouldn't stand heom er ya'air fer all
hee's got IL hate hoem, l do-ef-
ef he stays jest er leetle while. "
"You air er big fool" Mrs. Annis
said roughly, "all Oh account er Noch,
an, though he is all the child I've got,
I'm bound ter say he is no account
wusser' n 10 account Besides you jest
US well sec, fust as last, he wont new
IT marry you, not ef you git your full
rights an money besides"
"Burt- t-the-chile-the leetle
uni" Magnolia gaspcd, her mouth gath
ering whiteness. "FIe-he CANT deny
1.-THE pore leetle un. It's 3 year ole
now. Eff jest had it an Noch-an-
an we had er place whar nobody know
ed''-
"Shet upi" Mrs. Annis commanded.
"Gal, lemme tell you somethin. Noch's
like all the rest er men-crazy fer what
he ain't got. Now he's plumb distracted
arfter Betty Hinsley. He'll git her too.
Now Hinsley's done gone ter Jail, Bet
tvs free us any on US.
81 mought as we'll be dead, then,"
Magnolia said passionately, dropping
into chair and breaking into dry sobs.
But in little her eyes went back to the
gay ribbon. She got up and began to tie
it about her round waist. Then she
Lraped the keichlef over her shoulders
and smiled to see how ivory fair her
long throat showed in contrast. When
her dusky hair had been piled high on
her head, she surveyed herself in the old
clocks looking glass face and said. still
sniiiHs:
II would look right fine ef had flne
clothes all the time"
eyes, an mean ter see that you sit
um," Mrs. Annis, added with her most
energetic nod.