Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-09-09
CHAPTER xxxII.

They ordered the coachman not to
spare the horses. which were now re-
freshed by food and rest and quite
ready for the road again.
They drove rapidly through the in
%tervening wooded valley, and late in
the afternoon began TO ascend the low
range OF hills that skirted the creek,
and upon the summit of which was Sit
uated the farm of Burnstop.
The sun was setting when their car
rage drew up before the house.
1t was a long; low ediice Of gray
stone, built upon the top OF the hill,
and deeply shaded with great forest
trees.
A grass-grown. elm-shaded old AVE-
nue. led from the front gate straight up
to the front door. which was sheltered
by a rustic porch of timber with the
bark on overgrOwn with vines.
The lady and the captain alighted be-
fore this door. which was, as usual at
country houses in old Maryland, wide
open, giving a vista straight through
the hall to the back door, which was
also open, affording a view of n green
lawn, planted here and there with
Towering shrubs.
Il don't see any about. And
there are ne bells in the house and no
knocker on this door. Very different.
this, from your Italian plaZzo and
French chateau, Madame:"
mo, Monsieur; some of our houses
are thus neglected. replied the lady,
~courteously.
The old man applied his own hard
knuckles to the old oaken door with
such effect that q negro boy made his
appearance from the back premises to
answer the appeal. This was a re-
markable specimen of the very stupid,
not to say, idiotic. country negro.
Has your master returned homer"
demanded the captain.
Yes, SIR drawled the boy.
Go and tell him that Captain Fuljoy
is here, and wishes TO see him immedi-
ately."
Yes, sir" answered the boy, with
out stirring from the spot.
We'll, why the dill was going to
say don't you go along? Hurry, hur-
ry, my sleepy fellow.'
Yes, SIR" repeated the boy, root
ed to the floor.
why, you little black imp, what do
you mean by standing there and look
ing me In the face, and saying, Yes,
sir and not going? Fly away with
you! Vanish! Tell Major Burns that
Captain Fuljoy is waiting to see him.
Rum
II darn't, sir!' walled the lad.
"Darn't? Why darn't YOU? Are YOU
crazy? | believe you are, Go direct
ly!'
Deed l darn't, sir: Miss 'Nellopy
4 WON'T lar mo-. To ~ xr1.xfN H..
Ety.
WHATS the reason? Why won't
they let you? What the mischief does
it meany'
Il darn't 'sturbe marster, sir-he's
a-dyin," whimpered the child.
DYING echoed the captain, start
ing back like II who has received a
blow. while Madame De Glacie came
10 his side, and looked with wondering
eyes from him to the boy.
Dying. Did you say dying?" re-
peated the captain, STOPPING and look
Ing the boy in the face.
Yes, SIR" sobbed the child, burst.
ing into tears at the sound Of his own
words.
Madame, take this chair and rest
yourself, while l go and find out the
truth of this. 1t is of no earthly use
10 question this poor simpleton. l
know where the majors room Is, and
VIII seek him there said the captain,
placing an old-fashioned, homemade,
chip-bottomed armchair for the visit
or's accommodation.
The lady sat down In the hall while
the captain went slowly and softly up
stairs, and raped lightly at the door
OF a front room on the right hand.