The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-11-05

children. They staid at the Skreenes'
fer month or more, and Mrs.
Skreene was always careful 10 tell the
neighbors: My friend has consented
to pay me visit while she is selectin'
an furnishin' her home To have seen
her with the Chisholms or have heard
her talk you'd have thought she con
sidered her family an house honored
by havin' such distinguished guests.
You would never have dreamt that
they were livin' on her charity. and,
when they finally moved TO the ad-
joinin' place, that she bought an fur
nished it.
well, it was; an it cost a pretty
good sum, too, can tell you. 1t was
valuable place, an old DR.. Bailey
didn't want to sell; but SEEM what
fancy Blossom an Clara, the eldest
Chisholm girl, had taken to each
other from the first, Mrs. Skreene said
she wouldn't have them separated
Soon after they moved, it began to be
whispered aroun' the neighborhood
that Quintilian was mighty partial to
Clara. 1t seems it had been a case of
love at first sight with Quintilian, but
as long as Clara was in his mothr's
house of course he couldn't court her.
For" added the DOCTOR Strengthening
up with dignity, Sin those days such
conduct would have been considered
unbecomin' gentleman, an Quintilian
Skreene was a gentleman.
"When Clara an Quintilian became
engaged, Blossom decided to change
| the date of her marriage from Feb
ruary to April, so they could have a
double weddin'. Such thing never
khad been seen in the neghborhood, an
everybody was interested. Though
some folks said it was bad luck for
Blossom an Hal to change, they were
nightly concerned, an helped all they
could with the two houses that Mrs.
Skreene was buildin' only short dis
lance from her home. Of course. Bios
SONS house had been started an
nearly finished befo' Quintilian's was
thought of, but when that was begun
an looked just like Blossoms, every
body said what a beautiful thought it
was, since Mrs. Skreene had but two
children, to have them married at the
same time an live side by side in
houses exactly alike.
"One evenin' just befo' shutdown, an
two weeks befo' the weddin', comm
from SEEM patient, overlook
Nanny Sukey, Blossoms an Quin-
tilian's nurse. who had been up to look
at the two new houses.
Fittings are lookin' very fine up the
road, nanny I had forgotten that
she didn't exactly approve of the way
things were goin', though nobody had
ever been able to make the old soul tell
why. I suppose you an Mrs. Slreene
will be very well pleased to have Bios
som an Quintilian married an Twin SO
near by. You must all be very happy
these days
Things amt always what they
looks, Marse Henry she replied, shak-
in her head. Iain't never said hit. but
now hit jes seems like I'm 'blege to tell
somebody. an l can't tell Miss nor
Marse lillian She stopped on the side
of the road, and as drew rein she said
seriously: Honey, l must tell some
body, case ! feel like my heart will
bust if l don't, an | know you won't
tell nobody eff nothin' don't come of it.
81 promised her wouldn't.
"Marse Henry, chile she said, com
in over an layin' her ham on my knee
4 ain never been able to trus' Miss
Clara. The frs time | seen her with
her arms aroun' Blossom it gin me de
shivers, an it was of warm day, too
She's jes' as sweet as honey an car
palava to beat the ban, but her eyes
give her away. Honey, she's got reg
ular runaway-horse eyes. But tha
amt all: l heard her talkin' in hel
sleep twice. Once jes' the night 70 She
coaxed Blossom to put off her weddn'
an night TO las. Both times / hearc
her mention Names
care you quite sure you heard hel
mention names, nanny?
eyes, chile; an the first time went
an begged Blossom not TO put off he1
weddin', then begged miss, then
begged Marse lillian. | tole 'em some
bad luck jes' 'blege to happen, but they
all jes' laughed an wouldn't pay NJ
heed to me. Marse Henry, amt never
had no overseer's lash on my bacl
sence been born, but eff | was to go an
tell the name heard Miss Clara men
ton in her sleep an what l WATCHED
her an saw las night down by the bis
bay tree, | believe miss would stan an
see the ticks laid on herself Night 20
las heard Clara talkin' about it in hel
sleep, so las night went to my room
and pretended to go to bed. Then
slipped out an went down to the bis
bay tree, the place Clara talked abou
in her sleep. | never had long to wal
befo' seen"
Ire doctor stopped talking, and
taking the switch. leaned forward ant
ficked a horsefy from the mule
shoulder. We rode for several mo
ments in silence.
"To tell the truth" he went on, Z"
thought the old woman was jealous
negro nurses often are, you know-th,
tale she told was so preposterous. Blu
l promised her | would keep watcl
every night at the big bay tree. an i
should see anythin' would tell Quin
lillian. I kept my promise, but o
course saw nothin' 1t was toolate; tn