Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-18

loughbys She felt rather than saw that
his glance passed over her in search of
Mary Spec. who had slipped out of sight
among the shrubbery. While her hand was
still in WillOughbN's Red Mary caught The
sound of slow wheels.
The buggy was big and low-swung. but
S3ich and span. An Oidish woman drove it,
a fat woman with mild blue eyes and a
happy. vaCuous face. She had on a white
frock. book muslin. short enough to show
her feet in slippers that their pudgineSs
overlooked. Her hat. which sat awry was
a wonderful connection of lace and pink
ribbons. with pinkeT roses nodding jauntily
above 1t. liz defiance of its youthful gaiety
there was a black band about her neck
ciasped under the chin with a funereal
miniature She had black gloves. too. old
faSn1oned lace mitts. not on her hands. but
pushed back around her plump wrists
Look out, major. Sister Lisenbee has
got on all her war paint" Uncle Rob said
in the majors ear-then aloud Sister
LLsenbee. you are a sight for sore eyes
HOwiy. Howdy! Bless my SOUL All these
chits of girls will have to git out o your
way"
,Lawsey. Brer Mayner! How you do
talk! Like | was good set OUT Sister
Lisenbee said, waddHng through the gate
but whut if | air set out? Scripcher saws
don't 1t. that man was made ter mourn ?
but men amt women. and the good Lord
Knows I've been a-mOurnin poor ole Iisen-
bee better n ten year. | come ter the moon
light, though, jest fer nothing but not ter
hi TT Sist' Lucy Mayner's feelings | didn't
have no ide-eear of seeing the major | am
mighty glad. though. | have saw him He
makes himself the skacest at our house
ever sence he PROMISED ne one er his fine.
pegs
All. major 1 always thought you were
"a gay deceiver." Amos Tandy said. shak-
lHS his finger at the major. Mrs I.isenbee
/ m a lawyer. but have never had a case
won you give me one? | see a frst-class
breach OF promise suit right ahead"
Maj Dade grew scarlet. Anger always
Set him stammering. He tried hard to say
something, something cool and whitening.
but not d word was intelligible Sis ter
Llsenoee embed up 10 him and caught his
arm.
Il believs in my heart you're struck with
the shakin' agur," she said; Il kin cyore 1t
IN three shakes of er dead lambs tail All
you got to do is ter take and swaller nine
Wn0ie grains er black pepper. and then
mold yer breath while you say over your
name and age backwards. 1t Is the best
thing 1t cyored poor ole Lisenbee and the
rust year we lived down in the Purchase he
shuk so they used ter hear him OVER at the
neighbors.''
Nilloughby had found Mary Spec, and
was talking eagerly to her. Amos beck
oned them to him AS they came up, he
SAID with a flourish: AN honor like Il
pleasure, IS doubled by sharing it with
friends. Let me present you to a lady
whom 1t rs an honor to know--Mrs Lisen-
bee. the mother of ex-Sherif Silly"
- -sVAt-1oHsIeSsHldH SelDy ntS better,
Cncle Bob interrupted. Maj. Dade swor.
silently, and said in his mind, "Of all the
low-down tricks. Trying to make Bert's
sweetheart believe he is blood kin to that
bl ssed old elephant"
Mary Spec took Mrs. Lisenbee's fat hand
between both her own, and said pressing
II gently, Il am so glad to see you Mrs
Lisenbee- Some one has been telling ME
about Nanny ever since / came
And | been a-wanting to see YOU the
very wust way, Miss Mary Spec" Mrs
lAsenbse said, earnestly. Il been a-trying
10 do it, too ever sence / seen how my boy
Jest couldn't eat no sort er VittleS when he
come home frum seeing you. That's the
very shorest sign o deep love- Why il
Nus only at the last barbecue / felt lest
as hearty intel l seen the major go on the
stump. Then / ses ter Sis Sarah Jane
Beasley, Sarah Jane, not a moss,I kin
tetch-not eff you wus ter stay me with
Wagons, and comfort me with apples like
they done ole Solomon"
She stood ruminantly, tapping her snuff
null with one forefinger. WiIloughby was
at her elbow, Amos Tandy the other Red
Mary darted up to them. ''You are a nice
parcel. you Purchase fellowsi' she said.
giving us picnic without musict Don't
you know it Is fiat as a cucumber with
out salt?'
Don't murder us, pieaset' Willoughby
said; lat least not until you hear how hard
We tried for the band. There is only one
band. you know. that Purchase folks care
about Amos, didn't We both try for an
hour to hire. or coax, or scare that old mig
ger into playing here tonight?'
We'll, we must do something / reckon
We can fall back on Weyilly Can you
trot? Red Mary asked mischieyousIy
All ntEht-with you for partner" Amos
said. catching her hand