Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-04-19

turn TO Laurel Dell.
so. n. FoULKs, Manager.
docs the description fit?" Strong
asked, laying the paper down.
81 don't know" said Liza, gazing
absently toward the window.
"Do be sensible, Liza. You certainly
saw the scamp"
"Only pair Of hungry eyes and
ragged shoulders; nothing more"
(Which way did he go?'
"I don't know"
"Confound it I wish you had not
screamed. l have promised Foulks to
keep lookout for him. II it is Ran
Chambliss' Abe, ! could have given
him word Of comfort Ran wants II
given out that he shan't he touched.
He il sort Of pet Of Chambliss', and
FOulks Is anxious to get him back. II
you were not here, would ride over To
Laurel Dell and tell Foulks. Ipromised,
il heard anything of him."
go. / am not afraid.
~ had best make sure first. Foulks
SAYS he could wear Rams shoe"
He passed out through the front door
and around TO the one window. Liza,
leaning over its ledge, saw the small
bare tracks left in the damp soil by the
fugitive. Strong was laying d brass
bound footrule in them.
"He would wear about No. 3. ]
reckon il was Abe"
"What did he run away for, Strong"
Nothing, according to Foulks. The
boy is fancy darky Ran Chambliss
picked up in New Orleans one winter
and generally takes travelling with him,
but the boy had the measles when
Chambliss started on the last trip and
was left behind. Mrs Chambliss told
Foulks to put him to work-to keep
him ont Of mischief-in the field until
Ran came back, and the spoiled cub
took To the cane. He has been out over
two months.
"He did not look like fancy darky'
nor like anybody's pet.
Strong was sending u searching glance
mp and down the face Of the cliffs.
Il should like to let Foulks know, as
I promised. The scamp is not likely &c
come back again. imagine he thought
/ had gone out tn the river. j generally
am there this time Of day and he hoppe
to cajole Viney out of a dinner. !"
''Is Viney here?"
"Vincy: Why, she runs this estab
| lishment. with me thrown in She il
ont yonder in the she'd room. She is as
autocratic as ever"
"Then am afraid to stay here while
you are gone. See!' She held up the
second finger Of her right hand. 1t was
capped with golden thimble. Il told
mother was going to overhaul your en-.
tire wardrobe this morning. Please go,
Strong. Don't mind my nonsense about
Aunt Viney."
And you will stay until l com,
back
Il will be here when you come hack,
if Viney has not devoured me iii the
meantime.
He was out of the room by this time,
and very little while later she could
hear the soft thud of his horses feet Oh
the dirt road, carrying him away at
Gathering pace.
He was going around by the wagon
road. She got up and walked 10 the
door. II only she could see that gaunt
face once again! She would like To give
| its owner that comforting assurance
about his returning without fear To his
home.
She pierced the gloomy environment
with anxious eyes. Concealment was -
easy among the thick underground OF
the cliffs, the serried cane, or the BRAN
bly, banks Of Black Moccasin pond. She
yentured as far as the stile. mounted to
| its highest crumbling step, sent futile
glances in every direction and reiraced
her steps to the cabin with sudden reso-
luton.
4 newspaper, a sweeping motion Of
an eager hand, and she was ready for
her mission, leaving the table behind
uer as bare of edibles as Mother Hub
bard's famous cupboard.
giving aid and comfort TO the enemy,
she said, laughing Historically as she
frightened the paper about its bulging
contents, "but just don't care. ! could
never sleep again with those wolhsh
eyes haunting me-"
Once more on the top Of th stile she
poised herself lightly, scanned the SOM
Der vicinage with fruitless earnestness
and then sent clear, Kindly call aiioat
on the air:
ABE! French Abe! Abram! II you
hear my voice, come to met
But no one came to her. The frogs
held their hoarse notes in brief abey-
ance to that bell-like sound. The shrill
threnodies Of the cicadas in the syca-
more trees were suddenly hushed. But
no human voice answered her call. She
would maAe one more effort:
"Abe! Mr.. Randal's Abe! ! have
food for You! No one shall harm you!
r.
She paused, leaning eagerly forward
over the stile. Something had stirred
mass Of brilliant leaves and blackened
moss Just at the foot Of the cliff Two
glittering beads came cautiously into
view. The fugitive rose from his lair
and Strengthened himself up timidly.
His wolfish eyes dilated at sight Of the
parcel Liza held toward him with both
hands.
at is food for you, Abram. Come,
| take it, Don't be afraid.
"Vittles ior me! Gord-a-mity!'
With furtive side glances and the
alermess OF woodland thing he drew
nearer cautiously, fleetly, with raven
| ing in his bearing. A foot or two from
the stile he stopped suddenly.
"You amt foolin me, little mistis?"
"Fooling you! There is food in this
paper. Take it. And Abram"-
She had meant to tell him that Ran
dal Chambliss. was come back and that
his escapade would be forgiven him If
he went home, but her good intentions
s. q
| q A AHh