The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-24
CHAPTER xvI-Continued.


NO, must return; it is better tina
we should talk here; wish to spea
about Ralph"
Why, Ralph has gone to New York
lie sailed with Capt Fox"
SO l heard, so believed; but dit
Capt. Fox go to New York;"
Certainly, there cannot be any doub
about that. for letter came only a 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 II
stranger
1 cannot explain, Lea, do not quite
understand the ground for my dread,
but fear that some great harm has
befailen, or is about to befall, Ralph
Denham."
But who could harm him. Your
brother does not like him, / fear; but
Uncasa chief Of the Montauks, Is not a
coward"
ri 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-
manned 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
dtf" asked Lea, excitedly.
i did not zee it, but those who told
me would not lie
May there not have been good rea-
son for this?"
Yes; but can but think it means
harm to Ralph"
He can take care of himself"
\ ~0pa man would ha L. IN,
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"
j. Il am amazed" gasped Lea.
And then this Col. Graham. Do you
know that he visited this place twenty
one years ago?"
You and I we're not here then, I'm
tilla."
+! True, but those are living who can
Eecall BIN, though he is much changed.
He is The man who brought Ralph here.
II who told you that?"
"Dinah; size knows this Graham. She
Anew
Stop dat Don't say too much, honey, |
De time fob de breakin' oh dem ar seals |
amt come yet.
The two girls turned around to find |
old Dinah standing behind them, with |
both her hands resting on 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
carmine of surprise, and, 1t may be.
shame burned.
, Il feel, Dinah, that she, that Lea.
should know what l know, said Untilla
1t length. for her life runs nearer to
MS than mine"
Hush dat. Wy have de news 60
broad ez II ruin all? Let de story git
vine, en- Sag Harbor III never see i'm
ag'in. Can'tye leave dat to me, ez as
give twenty year Of my old life to de
vok. fob to finish? De ind is nigh. de
nd OF my life, en- de ind Of acts ez Is
'lacker n dis old dried-up skin. lie
watched i'm, en- I'll keep watchin'.
)e sea dat swallowed de fader won't be
ruel to de son. Ralph Den'm day of
10 second trial hez come, en- If he gifts
ru' safe, den de worl' II see who he ia.
n dem ez hez turned up dere noses,
OF he's no on's son, il git down en-
70 ship ut de feet OF one ez hez de
lood OF de noblest In his veins"
The old woman Strengthened up as
he spoke, and the girls looked at her |
nth awe and surprise.
Then and there she pledged them to
ecrecy, and when Lea said:
Il have nothing to keep secret.
Dinah responded:
Don't say ez 'ow we ever talked
'out Ralph DENNIS name. Wait till
9 worlsa ready to talk bout IT,