Evening star., 1899-03-11

old Superintendent Whitcomb's fatherly
solicitous face as he handled the key with
his own fingers.
Don't think you need send guard: am
not afraid for myself" she clicked off.
IF you are came back the prompt an
swer, take % for Savannah
No. 23 was the passenger that had re-
celved the stOning on the way up. When it
arrived at $50, the conductor and several
passengers rushed into the office to learn
the latest news
'AlI o. K. so far" said Amy, feeling all
Say" After commanding attention by
this single word. forcibly uttered a short.
thick-set man, with a closely cropped beard
and a peculiarly positive air, pushed for
ward, putting and blowing. ''Is this young
woman here going to stay in this hole all
night alone?' he demanded of no one in
particular
Amy flushed slightly and the conductor
answered with grin: Them seem to be
her intentions"
''An right. all right assented the posi-
tive man with savage ahruptness. backing
off. She wouldn't if she was my daughter;
no. stree. Bob not if she was my daughter.
and, what more, she wouldn't if she was
my agent. Goodnight, young woman. You
| are a brave girl
Amy pOndcred these words until long after
! the last faint roar of 23 had died away. She
| half regretted that she had not gone in on
| the train, as she could easily have done,
and returned in the morning. Only her
| pride had restrained her. To fall short of
what a man would do in her place; to ask
any privileges on account of her sex or
| even by any weakness to remind the com
pany that its Rock Ledge agent was a wo-
man. was exceedingly distastefuI to her
Independent spirit.
In her loneliness she unconsciousiy drew
nearer To the busy little instrument which
was clicking away like n thing of life and
seeming 10 assure her with cheerful fear
lessneSS that a great corporation was back
of her. Ard yet at every drunken hoot on
the outside her cheeks took on an added
| pallor.
little before she made a circuit of the
| three living rooms attached to the station
| proper and saw that the windows and doors
were securely fastened. But what frail
| barriers against an infuriated mob Be-
| fore beginning supper she stepped over to
] DiSSorys store. The butter was not a ne
ceSSity, but she felt that show of bravery
| would serve to keep her courage up and
! might have a restraining influence upon the
| negroes The dusky group on the store porch
| maGe hardly move to let her through and
| Diggory himself seemed afraid to show her
more than the most perfunctOry courtesy.
| On her way back a fat uegress rudely ell
| bowed her out Of the narrow path.
horseman. perhaps ten minutes after
| this happening. rode rapidly down what
| was known as the Cottonwood road The
/ gray horse, the military bearing of the rid
| er. his slouched hat and keen eyes were
| known far and wide as Col Singleton's
| As he passed a group of blacks in front
| of Blackwell's store-just across the track
| from Dggorys-some indiscreet fellow,
| brave IN MS NquOr, sung out q vile epithet.
| The old fellow with a furious oath and
| veins swelling with rage, spurred into the
/ midst of the group, regardless of life and
| limb. and laid his whip with merciless vigor
/ over the face and neck of the offender.
| Every member of the group was probably
| armed, but not A hand was raised in de-
| fense of the victim With a final snort of
| inexpressible indignation and a parting
| shower of maledictions. the colonel wheeled
| out of the sullen crowd. conscious of hav-
/ ing done his duty. Reflection might have
| shown him that he was not helping the
| cause of the little woman across the track,
| but the colonel was not addicted to renec-
| tion.
He found Amy with her apron on, bend
| ing over sputtering skillet of ham and
| eggs.
Just in time for suppah by Gawger'
| exclaimed the colonel, jovially I've had
| mine. Eve just thrashed that Buck of Ter
| riirs wrthin an inch of his life. Miss Amy,
| I'll kill that nigger yet. If don't, the law
| will, sooner or later. Miss Amy, I sus-
| pect there's going to be trouble heah to-
| night. I've n cyah of watermelons on the
| siding that l don't care to lose. So has
| Majah Bird. Has the majah been in? No!
| Well. he had no appointment with me, but
| niggers are fiocking in like blackbirds. Two
OF 'em left my place this afternoon. They
left without theh wages, I can assuah you
| of that. Miss Amy. They have got hell
| enough in EN- without money to buy liQuah
| Beg pardon, Miss Amy, but I'm a little ex-
cited. Now. my deah girl" continued the
| colonel with placid, fatherly air. refusing
| chair, II want you to come QUITO ouah
! house tonight Mrs. Singleton ana the girls