The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-11-11
VOL XXI. RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD, FRIDAY, NO

by havin' such distinguished guests.
You would never have dreamt that
they were livin' on her charity, and,
when they finally moved to the ad-
joinin' place, that she bought an fur
nished 1t.
"Well, it was; an it cost pretty
good sum, too, l can tell you. 1t was
valuable place, an old DR.. Bailey
didn't want to sell; but seem what a
fancy Blossom an Clara, the eldest
Chisholm girl, had taken to each
other from the first, Mrs. Skreene said
she wouldn't have them separated.
Soon after they moved, it began to be
whispered aroun' the neighborhood
that Quintilian was mighty partial to
Clara. 1t seems it had been a case Of
love at first sight with Quintiliap, but
as long as Clara was in his mothr's
house of course he couldn't court her.
For" added the doctor, Strengthening
up with dignity, "in those days such
conduct would have been considered
unbecomin' gentleman, an 'Quintilian
Skreene was gentleman.
"When Clara an Quintilian became
engaged, Blossom decided to. change
the date of her marriage from Feb
ruary to April, SO they could have a
double weddin'. Such thing never
had been seen in the neighbour ood, an
everybody was interested. Though
some folks said it was bad luck for
Blossom an Hal to change, they were
nightly concerned, an helped all they
could with the two houses that Mrs.
Skreene was buildin' only short dis
tance from her home. Of course, Bios
SONS house had been started an
nearly finished befo' Quintilian's was
thought of, but when that was begun
an looked just like Blossoms, every
body said what beautiful thought it
was, since Mrs. Skreene had but two
children, to have them married at the
same time an live side by side in
houses exactly alike.
"One evenin' just befo' sundown, an
two weeks befo' the weddin', comm
from seem a patient. l overlook
Nanny Sukey, Blossoms an Quin-
tilian's nurse, who had been up to look
at the two new houses.
"'Things are lookin' very fine up the
road, nanny had forgotten that
she didn't exactly approve of the way
things were goin', though nobody had
ever been able to make the old soul tell
why. I suppose you an Mrs. Skreene
will be very we'll pleased to have Bios
som an Quintilian married an livin' so
near by. You must all be very happy
these days.
"'Things amt always what they
looks. Marse Henry she replied, shak-
in her head. Il amt never said hit, but
now hit jes seems like I'm 'blege to tell
somebody, an I can't tell Miss nor
Marse lillian She stopped on the side
Of the road, and as drew rein she said,
seriously: Honey. I must tell some
body, case I feel like my heart will
bust if I don't, an know you won't
tell nobody eff nothin' don't come of it,
81 promised her wouldn't.
"'Marse Henry, chile she said, COM
in over an layin' her han on my knee,
4 ain never been able to trus' Miss
Clara. The frs time 1 seen her with
her arms aroun' Blossom it gin me de
shivers, an it was of a warm day, too.
| She's jes' as sweet as honey an can
palava to beat the ban, but her eyes
give her away. Honey, she's got reg
ular runaway-horse eyes. But that
amt all; I heard her talkin' in her
| sleep twice. Once jes' the night TO she
coaxed Blossom to put off her weddin'
an night TO las. Both times heard
| her mention names'
"'Are you quite sure you heard her
| mention names, nanny"
/ AYES, chile; an the first time went
an begged Blossom not to put off her
weddin', then 1 begged miss, then I
begged Marse lillian. tole 'em some
bad luck jes' 'blege to happen, but they
all jes' laughed an wouldn't pay no
heed to me. Marse Henry, ain't never
had no overseer's lash on my back
sence been born, but eff was to go an
tell the name 1 heard Miss Clara men,
tion in her sleep an what I watched
her an saw las night down by the big
bay tree, 1 believe miss would stan an
see the licks laid on herself. Night TO
| las heard Clara talkin' about it in her
sleep, SO las night went to my room
and pretended to go to bed. Then
slipped out an went down to the big
bay tree, the place Clara talked about
in her sleep. / never had long to wait
| befo' I seem"
Ire doctor stopped talking, and,
taking the switch, leaned forward and
flicked horsefly from the mules
shoulder. We rode for several mo-
ments in silence.
ITO tell~the truth" he went on, 81
thought the old woman was jealous
negro nurses often are, you know-the
tale she told was so preposterous. But
promised her I would keep watch
every night at the big bay tree, an if
should see anythin' would tell Quin-
lillian. kept my promise, but of
course saw nothin'. 1t was too late; the
mischief had been DONE" He was silent
again as if lost In thought; he began
with an effort, and felt that the rec
objection was not pleasant one.
II shall never forget the night of the
weddin', it seems like yesterday. The
church was an old-fashioned buildin'
with two dos and two aisles. The
bridal professions were to enter by
separate dos, then come up different
aisles and meet at the altar. After the
ceremony they were to cross over, ach
party goin' down the aisle an out the
do by which the other had entered.
Our procession-that is, Quintilian's
| ~ 7 n,,sr - L,