The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-15
COPYRIGHT. 1898 BY THE AUTHOR, ]

| es..- cA*Ss Ao'TH'e
She turned very pale, but, true to her
resolve not b, weigh this wrong in the
balance against the brother who was
about to face untold perils, she laid
soft hand on his and said gently !:
well, We have talked the removal
over before, dear There is the old
Walker place, mammals old house.
Perhaps l had better have it oyerhauled
at once. should not like this man to
demand possession, l not being in a
complete state of readiness to go. Our
people will stand by me through any
thing that may come, and don't want
your last moments to be anxious ones.
Remember how many have in family
--Monksey, Maxwell, Nanny Jane and
Uncle Toby. Why, l am very rich in
friends, If my darling brother is going
away from me to become hero"
IF the valiant deeds Of a thousand
heroes could be condensed into one
stroke Of my saber, Marianne, I could
never emulate the heroism you are dis
playing at this Moment
II heroinel Oh, you precious old
simpleton''
II have written to him that I demand
the courtesy Of months warning
should he desire to take possession of
Belhayen early in the year. He does
not own our people. My idiotic deed
reads house and land That brings me-
to another possibility. So far the ne
gro's status is undisturbed. We fight to
retain him. The other side fights to
free him. Should he become freed |
man and not here to provide for you
: oh, my darlingi''
II should still not be friendless. I
should have the dear Lord to help me- "
"Such faith passes my comprehen-
sion, and confess should much rather
think Of you when am away as hav"
ing some wise and strong human friend
to turn to at any moment you might
need one.
"Wise and strong human friends are
none too plentiful" said Marianne,
shaking her head sagely. II am afraid
that neither Monksey nor Nanny Jane
comes under that head"
p Most emphatically not"
"And have lived so long on the
plantation that have not very extern
sive visiting list How would Miss
Melanie do at pinch?''
IA good natured little gossip"
"It is to her credit that she can be O
gossip and good natured at the same
time. Don't worry about me, Reggie.
We have fallen upon serious times, and
if in the l6 years of my life I have
learned nothing Of self reliance must
be poor creature indeed"
II know of one woman, and but one,
to whom should like to commend you
in the hour of your possible need"
He stopped, and Marianne turning
to look at him, caught the illumination
Of his face.
''And that one?''
"Is Miss Bascom.'
"That strange Miss Bascom whom
people say is like frozen statue?"
"What fool says that?'
miss Melanie. She and the Potts
girls have called on her, and Ollie de-
clares she is afraid of her."
He turned aud olasped both of Ma
rianne's hands in grip that caused her
to finch.
promise me, little sister, that you
will listen to no such nonsense. will
be going away from you tomorrow, per.
haps never to return. 1t would comfort
me as nothing else in life could to
think of Miss Bascom as your friend.
She is a grand woman, above, far
above the littlenesses that consume the
half of the women in the world.'
And" said Marianne, smiling sage.
ly into his flushed face my brother
Reginald is very much in love with
her."
"Your brother Reginald adores her. :"
"While she''-
"Entertains natural and wholesale ,
contempt for him."
"Then do not want her for friend .
of mine"
Loyal, but foolish, my sister. Come, ,,
I must have your solemn promise before !
we leave this spot that, should any !
emergency arise after my departure that i,
you do not know how to cope with, you ,
will go to Miss Bascom for advice" :
If she does not like you, she might
promise me, Marianne" ,
"They say she Is not in sympathy !
with this movement.
"That has nothing whatever to do .
with the matter. / want your promise. :
She is too grand woman to let any =
private prejudice warp her Judgment. y
Promise me- y
II promise. Dear me, Reggie, how e
in earnest you are. You :
make me feel that something dreadful y
must happen to you. -
"Now you are talking like the dear :,
little goose you are. We will go back :,
to that bag if it please your ladyship." y
One more short day for loving offices
and tender counsel and then the little !,
town Of Cloverdell gave up its men with =,
q gay fanfare of trumpet and bugle, =
much flag and handkerchief waving :,
and much flower throwing quite as if ~
its fathers, sons and lovers were going
10 enter the tourney lists like knights Of IT
old. :,
Jessioa Bascom had come into town l.
10 say her final farewell to the colonel. -
She stood alone on the balcony Of the !,
towns one hotel-a statuesquo, noble !.
igurc. The Apologize sharpshooters a,
He'd past her, with the superb figure Of .,
1er father in the lead. She flung him a -,
Kiss from the tips Of her fingers. 1t was -
lard to give him up-in such cause. ",
She wished she could share in the fool ~
sh enthusiasm which was sustaining g.
Ill the rest of the women about her -
what must be fierce ordeal, y,
tut she could not. By her fathers side -
ode his first lieutenant, splendid :"