The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-27
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.

: mo, 1 must return; it is better that
we should talk here; l wish to speak
about Ralph"
why, Ralph has gone to New York.
He sailed with Capt. Fox"
so / heard, SO I believed; but did
Capt. Fox 90 to New York;"
Certainly, there cannot be any doubt
about that, for letter came only few
hours ago from the Captain"
That is strange" said Untilla, draw
ing her little red hand across her brow.
But why should you think it
stranger"
.I cannot explain, Lea, do not quite
understand the ground for my dread,
but I fear that some great harm has
ibefallen, or is about to befall, Ralph
Denham."
! But who could harm him. Your
brother does mot like him, ! fear; but
.Unoas, chief of the Montauks, is not
coward"
Il cannot answer for men who do not
reason, not even for Uncas when he
bends his head to catch the words OF
white tempters. This Capt. Fox did
not sail for New York. His ship re-
mained for nearly day off Montauk,
and then he sailed to the south, after
leaving some OF his people on shore.
"how do you know this? Did you see
;it?" asked Lea, excitedly.
Il did not see it, but those who told
me would not lie.
May there not have been good rea-
son for this?"
-Yes; but l can but think it means
harm to Ralph.
.He can take care Of himself"
-One man would be weak in the pres
ence Of ship full. ! know Capt. Fox
is the enemy Of Ralph Denham. Has
he not met my brother. and reused his
anger until he has been demon
II am amazed" easped Lea.
And then this Col. Graham. Do you
know that he visited this place twenty
one years ago."
rilla."
True, but those are living who can
recall him, though he is much changed.
he is the man who brought Ralph here.
Who told you that?"
= -Dinah; she knows this Graham. She
knew"
stop dat, Don say too much, honey!
De time fob de breakin' OBJ dem ar seals
amt come yet.
The two girls turned around to fine
old Dinah standing behind them, with
both her hands resting or the top Of her
long staff, and her chin resting on her
hands.
Untilla sprang to her feet. and through
the dusk Of her oval cheeks the deep
earmine Of surprise, and, it may be,
shame burned.
Il feel, Dinah, that she, that Lea,
should know what know" said Untilla
ut length, -for her life runs nearer tc
his than mine"
Hush dat. Wy have de news go
broad .ez IL ruin all? Let de story git
wind, en- Sag Harbor II never see i'm
ag'in. Can'tye leave dat to me, ez ae
give twenty year Of my old life to de
wok, fob to finish? De ind is nigh, de
ind Of my life, en- de ind Of acts ez is
blacker n dis old dried-up skin. lie
watched i'm, en- I'll keep watchin'.
De sea dat swallowed de fader won't be
cruel to de son. Ralph Den ms day Of
de second trial hez come, en- If he gifts
tru' safe, den de worp II see who he is.
en- dem ez hez turned up dere noses,
COZ he's no ons son, ii git down en-
oship at de feet OF one ez hez de
blood of do Aoblest in his veins.
The old woman Strengthened up as
she spoke, and the girls looked at heI
with awe and surprise.
Then and there she pledged them to
secrecy, and when Lea said:
Il have nothing to keep secret.
Dinah responded:
Don't say ez 'ow we ever talked
bout Ralph Dan'm's name. Wait till
de worls ready to talk bout it.