The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-17

eclipsed the stars. do you think you
love me better than he does?" she said
softly. You've known me only a 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 1 do" There were hurrying
steps in the road above them, and the
fiickering light of a lantern cut yellow
swaths in the starlight. She bent lower,
and again her lips brushed his fore
/ head You wouldn't want me not to
love my own father, would you? 1t
was mothers ring, and he gave it to
me-"
This was how-it came about that the
major, coming hastily, with an impro-
vlsed stretcher, borne by 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, II took the better half of a fresh
cigar on Russell's part, and two charg-
lngs OF the lcng-stemmed pipe on the
majors, to work out the explanation on
the vine-shadowed veranda. When it
was made, the case of one David Jack
son came up for trial and sentence.
He's youth man. MY son." said the
major. "Of course he's a grand rascal,
and it's youth privilege to send him to
the coal mines, butt"
But southern gentleman wouldn't
invoke the law because an ignorant
negro was terrified enough to knock
him down, you would say. Well,
neither shall I. Indirectly, he has been
the means of making me the happiest
man on top of the earth"
This may account for David's re-
appearance on the lawn three days later
when Russell was again a guest at the
Dickson cottage. They were waiting
for Nam Sephny to call them to din
ner, and Russell was showing the
major and Lois the pictures taken on
the eventful evening of assaults and
happinesses.
He looks peaceful enough now"
said the young man, with glance at
David You'd hardly recognize him as
the fellow that posed for this"
The photograph was study in feroc-
ity, and the livid scar stood out on the
pictured face like the welt of a broad
whip-lash.
It's simply horrifying," said Lois,
shuddering. But that is a beautiful
picture of Nam Sephny. Come here.
Nanny, and see how you look to
other people,
The ancient negress had just come
out to announce dinner, and she vouch-
safed no more than a single contempt
UOGS eye-SWeeD.
Huh, Dat OF niggah wench me?
No. mai-aim! l ain no-wha's nigh as
OF an ugly as dat" Then she caught
sight of the grotesque ferocity. "Faw
de Lawd's sake, young mahsted, gimme
dat one, pleasei Wha'-wha' yo' git
dat?"
Russell gave her the picture, and
once more the old eyes filled with tears.
Oats my Geo,ge Washin'ton Alig-
landau Dickson. growed up an come
to be main. OATS he same scar whut
he got ag'inst de OF hot stove in OF
Missis' kitchen! o, mahsteh wha' 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 youth own boy,
sure enough nanny; 1 recollect that
scar myself" 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 dinnerlI have to wait a !
while" he said. She's been waiting |
thirty-odd years, you know After |
which, with an inclusive arm sweep. |
meant to cover a speedy retreat into |
generadties: DO you have any mo- de- |
lightful prospect than this up yonder
in youh country, Mr.. Russell?'
And so they discussed the view. and |
killed 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 stall |
wart giant in her arms, as she had long |
ago held her lost man-child.