Evening star., 1898-10-15

and the two arms held him down, rs he
had hoped they would One of, them was
20, I don't belfeveddy6u are hurt at air
Yes. l am-dreadfdliy. How did you
come 10 be here?' ID A'.-''+-
Il saw David following you"
Then you We're not In such hurry to go
| in as you said you were"
IL was going in when / saw him.
~. AND then you ran after him and
tried to save me, like the brave little girl
that you are, Lois--my darling-I suppose
YOU We got to be true to the other man, but
love you-love you thousand times bet
ter than he ever could if he tries till dooms-
day.
of queries in the two little words, and he
lifted her hand-the one with the ring
the inger-and kissed it,
Yes; the man who put this ring on your
finger"
She bent above him till her eyes eclipsed
the stars. DO you think you love me bet
ter than he does?" she said, softly. You've
known me only few months, and he-he
has known me all my life"
The young man groaned. Don't tell me
you love him, Lois-I couldn't stand that!'
But do. There was hurrying steps in
the road above them, and the fickering
1ght OF lantern cut yellow SWathS in the
starlight. She bent lower, and again her
lips brushed his forehead. You wouldn't
want me not to love my own father, would
you? 1t was mothers ring, and he gave 1t
to me-
This was how it came about that the ma
jof. coming hastily, with an improVised
Stretcher, borne Dy an aShen-hued David,
found the young man on his feet with Lois
in his arms; and when they had all gone
back to the house it took the better half OF
a fresh cigar on Russells part and two
charSIngs of the long-stemmed pipe on the
MAJORS to work out The explanation on the
vine-shadowed veranda. when it was made
the case of one David Jackson came up for
trial and sentence. Hes youh man, my
son., said the major. "Of course, he's
grand rascal, and it's youh privilege to
send him to the coal mines, but
But southern gentleman wouldn't in
woke the law because an ignorant negro
was terrifed enough to knock him down.
you would say. Well, neither shall l. In
directly, he has been the means of making
me the happiest man on top of the Garth.
This may account for DaVids reapDear-
ance on the lawn three days later when
Russell was again guest at the Dickson
cottage. They were waiting for Mann Seph-
ny to call them to dinner, and Russell was
showing the major and Lois the pictures
taken on the eventful evening of assaults
and happnesses.
He looks peaceful enough now, said the
young man, with d glance at David. 'I ou,d
hardly recognize him as the fellow who
posed for this"
The photograph was a study in ferocty,
and the livid scar stood out the pictured
face like the welt of broad whip-lash.
Its simply horrifying,' said Lois, shud-
derlng But that is beautiful picture of
Nam Sephny. Come here, nanny, and
see now you look to other people
The ancient negress had just come out to
announce dinner, and she vouchsafed no
moIe than a single contemptuous eye-sweep.
Huh. Dat OF niggar we-,2h me? No,
nlat-aim, l ain no~wha's nigh as OF an
ugly as dat" Then she caught sight of
the grOtesque ferocity. "FaW de Lawds
sake, young mahsteh. gimme dat one.
please! Wha'-wha' yo' git dat?'
Russell gave her the picture, and once
10 II6 Tod
Oats my Ge'oge Washin't ton Ahgzandah
Dickson, growed up an come to be main.
OATS de same scar whut he got ag'inst de
oil hot stove in OF missis' kitchen! Oh,
mahsteh, VIVA yo-all git dat?"
The man on the lawn had dropped his
rake and started toward the house. The
major rose.
Il mistrust David,s youh own boy sure
enough, nanny; recollect that scar my
self he declared; and when the Old woman
tottered down the steps with her trembling
arms spread wide the soft-hearted veteran
seized upon the two young people and
marched them to the farther end of the
long veranda.
Il reckon the dipner'n have to wait a
while he said. shes been waiting thirty
odd years, you know" After which. with
an inclusive arm sweep. meant to cover
speedy retreat into generalities: do you
have any mo- delightful prospect than this
up yonder in youh country, Mr.. Russell?"
And so they discussed the view and kill
ed time with set purpose, while around on
the front steps an old negro mother rocked
herself back and forth, crying softly and
trying to hold a staIwart giant in her arms,
as she, had long ago held, her lost man
chi