Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-03-18
CHAPTER XIV.

venture, that made Rob when she camo
to her own Gemcsne turn aside to Aunt
Phomy's cabin.
"It is only step out Of the way"
she said to herself, "and my throat is
parched. Besides Aunt Phemy ought to
be glad to SEQ me- hope she will not
be cross, as she was the last time.
'Ala,se Robert, he better had be tolo de
trufe, she said then. As If anything
could make mc tell him! My darling
daddy! I would suffer torture first
The cabin stood only little way off
the mill road. Passorsby often stopped
there for drink from the spring. In
her heart Aunt Phemy was glad to SEQ
them, though sho kept her face impas-
siye. Companyl What did it matter?
she said. She had her pigs, her fowls
and her big dog Tige, who was Lions
full brother and the savagor beast of the
two.
In his guard sho was safe. no matter
who came or went. Tho cabin sat in a
screen Of tang!e. The path to it ran
jaggedly through vagrant growths OF
sumac, sassafras and fruitful young
grapcvines 1t wound so, indeed, coLn-
ing in from the front, you hardly saw
tho roof until you wcro in the shade OF
the gourd arbor above the door. Thus
Rob was almost facing her before she
saw that the old woman was not alone,
but sight Of the visitor in nowise dis
comtitod her. 1t was apparently tall,
lean woman, with powerful shoulders,
yet STOPPING, hollow chest, who sat
upon the doorstep, with arms locked
about the knees.
In spite Of the heat tho stranger was
huddcd in u frouzy shawl. A deep sun
bonnet shrouded head and face. The
long lower limbs showed gaunt and
shruuken beneath the thin folds Of
faded calico skirt. As Rob's SHADOW
fell OH the earth the creature started and
drew the poor skirt yet closer about her
feet, as though seeking to hide poverty,
yet more pitiful. Rob noted the action
with a sympathetic tErill, then said
with civil nod:
Good morning, madam. Aunt Phe-
my, how are you? Don't get mad when
l tell you my lost turkey hen has come
home with ten fine young ones, for all
you were SO certain the foxes had caught
her. The little ones are beauties and SO
pert Why, they can outrun me now.
Though they aIc so late, mean to raise
them just TO show you wise people that
you don't know everything
"Uph! Dat dcst your owdacious luck.
Had CT been my Gle turkey hen her
haid'd been off an Br'er Fox done had
cr dinner er whole mont ago. Aunt
Phemy said, pretending to flown, though
she gave really "a mild chucl!e.
"Ah, how jealous you arc! Aunt Pho
my, didn't think that Of you," Rob
retortcd, letting her eyes ret casually
upon the hands CT the visitor. They
were hard and brown, two masscs Of
knottcd muscle, with lcng, coarse hair
strac sling over them ard a curious palo
ring OH the skin about one wrist
Thorgh Rob looked away instantly, she
knew the strange woman had felt her
gaze and been disquieted by its note Of
details, fer tho knotted hands wero
drawn back and began norvously to
wrap themselves il the ends Of the thin
shawl.
Aunt Phemy, too, noted tho move
ment She half turned in her chair and
said slowly: II amt gredgin you no
res, Miss Who -ebcr.yoU-is, but specs
you better had be trGbblin. l done KEEP
you now longer'n tole You you mought
stay when you come ycre ter my do
fore de Earn er day.
ooh, don't send her away, Aunt
Phomy! 1t is hot, and she looks so very
tired" Rob said, plucking at the black
woman's sleeve. maybe she is moro
sick than tired. Keep her until tomor-
row. know that is what pappy would
say
"Umphl Yes; Marse Robert, ho'd
take keer de whole worl an let UNI cheat
him outen he eyetcefs," Aunt Phemy
said
The stranger got up, saying SO hoarso-
ly the sound made Rob shudder, Il will
60 in jest er little while.
Rob opened her mouth to protest, but
before she could speak Tige sprang up
and gave tremendous howl. Tho
strange woman made wild, backward
spring, gathering her limp skirt as
though to run, then sank down, breath
ing hard. Aunt Phemy had been look
ing toward the path. Rob alone had
seen beneath the Tapping garment boots
and trousers miserably ragged and tho
dull gleam of au iron ring about one
ankle