The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-21
COPYRIGHT 1898. BY TIE auTnoR.}

if everything in that bag hastor to make
way for it. :"
''But what is it?''
"Balsum apple in whusky. When
them boys of our'n gets to foolin around
with guns an things, somebody's
mighty liable to git hurt, an there
amt nothin on the top of the universe
like balsum apple for a cut or gun
wound This is bound to go long with
them two boys of our'n.''
Marianne took the bottle from the
old woman's hand. She was quivering
in every nerve. If only she could have
these last few hours all to herself
What with all this CHASTITY talk about
scars and wounds, how was she to keep
up brave front until that dreadful
goodby had been said? Rescue was at
hand.
Little sister, put on your hat and
come with me.''
> Reginald was leaning over the win
dow sill. She sprang to her feet with
quick response and joined him on the
terrace in another minute.
sob, Reggie, if you had not called
me I think I should have screamed out
in another minute! And yet they mean
it all in loving kindness. %
st know, bknow, but Monksey and
Nanny Jane are rather strong com
bination for any set of nerves at the
best of times. I wish I could leave you
with another sort of companion. -
"Oh, that is all right! I did not
mean to complain. They are both per-
fectly devoted to us, and I am an in
CRATE"
Reginald threw an arm about her
shoulder and drew her tenderly nearer
to his side.
"No, you never do mean to COM
plain, DEAR Marianne, you are little
angel, and if I did not believe l should
live to repair the wrong I have done
Won I should never want to come back
at ALL"
sHush, hush, hush! If you have on
" brought me out here to talk like the
rest of them, you had better have let
me go on with my work. !"
"No, I brought you out here to say
some things did not care to say before
the rest of them We will go to the old
garden seat.
The old garden seat stood between
two somber cedar trees near the marble
vault which held the dust Of old Tony
Belknap and his wife. Marianne had
often curled herself up on it's crumbling
planks to study the task of an hour or
to ponder the problems Of future in
which she recognized grave responsible
tiles for herself touching Maxwell. A
pair of blue jays reluctantly made way
for them as they came toward the bench.
A carpet Of cedar berries and fallen
leaves lay thick about the seat. The
fragrance of sweet olive was on the air.
A spray Of crimson trumpet flowers
trailed its graceful length over the
weather stained marble of the tomb.
Across the high hedge of Usage orange
there came to them, softened by the dis
tance, the voices of care free slaves sing
ing over their work of picking out the
cotton. December though it was, there
was balm in the air which made 1t a
pleasure simply to exist. Marianne drew
a deep restful breath and folded her
hands contentedly on her lap.
"Oh, Reginald, why can't we go on
this way forever? This is such a lovely,
calm world, if only man would take 1t
from the dear Fathers hand just as he
made it. Why do you all have to come
to blows over the negroes? I am sure
they are happy enough. Just listen to
them singing as light heartedly as SO
many children.
Her brother did not answer her. Per
haps her little rhapsody had fallen on
deaf ears. He sat toying with the long
ribbons of her garden hat, while his
eyes absently traced the shadows cast
by the vines that clothed his mother s
grave. He wished that his last hours at
Belhaven might have been spent with
out reference to Whitney, but letter
received that morning made this i'm
possible. His first words struck a Earring
note.
Marianne, my love, I must prepare
you for most disagreeable possibility.
I had supposed that the man who
who''-
"Now owns Belhaven, said the girl,
looking him steadily in the eye.
"Would himself be going into the
army, and that matters might be left
in allegiance until this affair between
the sections is settled.
SIT may take years. -
Belknap gave his handsome head an
arrogant toss.
Hardly. But today I have a letter
which makes me fear you may be dis
turbed while I am not here to help
you. -
She turned very pale, but, true to her
resolve not to weigh this wrong in the
balance against the brother who was
about to face untold perils, she laid a
soft hand on his and said gently
"Well, we have talked the removal
over before dear. There is the old
Walker place, mammals old house.
Perhaps I, had better have it overhauled
at once. l should not like this man to
demand possession, I not being in 4
complete state of readiness to go. Our