The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-10-29
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: Never; he seems to dread the SUBJ
ject. If there Is anything that you can
tell him to increase his happiness, do so;
II not, keep away from him." said tho
Squire, with much force.
Il could tell him that that might mako
him miserable all his life, and If you do
not aid me in certain matter it will be
necessary for me to do So"
What is the certain natter" asked
the Squire, rising from his cnair and
confronting his visitor.
The certain something which you can
| do for me. and to save Ralph Denham
from knowledge that may embitter his
life, cannot explain now, but l shall
do so before l take my departure, said
Colonel Graham.
Suit yourself about that. VIII you
answer me one question:" asked Squire
| Condit
| what is the question:"
Are you Ralph Denham's father?"
The Squire shot this out with force
that nearly upset Col. Graham, for he
gasped, turned pale, and for the in
slant lost his self-control, the very
power in which he felt he was vastly
the superior of the more natural man
before him
| Dlu oN6E bdJ VI WIitC duS ehoe
] would lead you TOTO infer" STAN
mered the Colonel.
THAT Is the mischief Of 1t; you never
said or wrote a word from which could
infer anything" said the Squire, now
master of the situation.
But you have just told me that
Ralph cared to know nothing"
so / did. but am not Ralph Dem
ham; IL 1 were, might feel just as he
does. One more question before you
leave" said the Squire, as Col. Graham
rose to take his departure.
What Is it?"
Are the parents Of Ralph Denham
living?"
"One Of them u.s." replied Graham,
now on his guard.
which one?"
Il am not at liberty to tell.
| why not?"
| Il cannot explain.
Another question" said the Squire,
coming between his visitor and the
| door.
"Well?"
Again. are you Ralph Denham's
father2"
Il am not, with another start.
Are you Of his blood?"
| Mo-"
as he legitimate?" asked the Squire,
bringing down his arm, as If to imply
| that this was his lat question.
| What matters that to you; why
should you wish to known"
For one good reason-the happiness
fof Ralph may depend on his being OF
legitimate birth"
BE good enough to explain"
| Ralph Denham loves beautiful girl,
she is Of good family, and feel that If
| the cloud were lifted from, his antece-
dents, so far as 20 show that he came Of
honest parents, that his suit would not
be rejected"
| as the young lady your daughter,
Squire Condit?". asked Col. Graham,
with smile, that had In it something
satanic.
Il cannot answer that till you haye
answered me-"
Then you will never answer, nor
shall I suffer anxiety for the lack of
knowing who Ralph Denham's ladylove
is"
Col. Graham took another stride In
the direction Of the door, and came to a
sudden stop. Without looking at the
Squire, he continued:
you are a man of sense. and so
need not impress on you the Importance
Of keeping our conversation to yourself.
II you have Ralph Denham's happiness
at heart, you will not tell him why
called. We shall meet again, and very
soon."
With a frigid bow, Colonel Graham
left the room. and, addressing the ne
gro as "Othello," babe him follow him.
Othello threw his burden across his
shoulders, with an ease that showed
wonderful strength, .and followed, with
the long. swinging stride that mani
tested endurance equal to his strength.
When Colonel Graham reached the
town of Sag Harbor, an hour or two be-
fore his appearance at Squire Condit's,
be dispatched messenger to Captain
Fox. asking him to send boat for him.
This boat, under the command Of
Lieutenant Frenauld, was now waiting
on the beach.
In a minute more, the Colonel and
his servant would have been on board,
and on their way to the ship, but an In
cident that astonished the Colonel pre-
vented his progress for some time.
| Old Dinah, who had been talking, in
her disjointed way, to Ellen Condit and
Lea Hedges, left the group, with the in
tention of going TO her home, some
miles away.
She caught sight Of Colonel Graham
approaching, and she came to sudden
halt, raised her lean, black hands, and
shouted:
"Lod Paliton! Lod Paliton, or dc
deadl Where hev you come from, wan
derin' back en- 10th"
Hist, Dlnah!" said Colonel Graham,
rushing toward the old woman, and
speaking in a whisper. indicative Of
alarm. DO not speak now; do not
know me yet awhile, and you shall have
gold"
"Blood-red gold blood.red gold. But
who's dis? Who am de black boy?
| She ran at Othello, and took off his
cap revealing circular scar on his fore
he ad.
Hello! helloi de son of my darter!"
The old woman caught the young
black man in her arms, and kissed him,
and cried and laughed alternately, while
he, still supporting his burden, asked
in perplexed way:
is you my granny ez ran away from
Bermuda nigh onter twenty yeah agone,
and all said was drownded?"
aIze yer granny. 'Thello. Har is in
de flesh, or watts left OF me. I'm the
mudder OF yer mudder. But tell me, is
Won de sarvint of dat MANI" she asked,
nointing skinny, black finger at the
narnIaxed Colonel, VINO was now biting