The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-07-13
NO. 45

fusiiiade Of queries In the two little
words, and he lifted her hand, the one
with the ring on the finger, and kissed
1T.
eyes; the man who put this ring on
your finger"
She bent above him till her eyes
eclipsed the stars. do you think you
love me better than he does?" she said
softly. you've known me only few
months, and he-he has known me all
my life.''
The young man groaned. Don't tell
me you love him, Lois; couldn't stand
that~
"But do" There were hurrying
steps In the road above them, and the
Pickering light of a lantern cut yellow
swaths In the starlight. She bent low.
er, and again her lips brushed his fore.
head. "You wouldn't want me not to
love my own father, would you? 1t
was mothers ring, and he gave 1t to
me-"
This was how 1t came about that the
major, coming hastily with an impro-
vised stretcher borne by an ashen hued
David, found the young man on his
feet with Lois in his arms, and when
they had all gone back to the house 1t
took the better half of fresh cigar on
RusselPs part and two chargings of
the long stemmed pipe on the majors
to work out the explanation on the
vine shadowed veranda. When 1t was
made, the case of one David Jackson
came up for trial and sentence. "He's
youh man, my son." said the major.
"Of course he's grand rascal, and it's
youh privilege to send him to the coal
mines, but
"But southern gentleman wouldn't
invoke the law because an ignorant
negro was terrified enough to knock
him down, you would say. Well, nei-
ther shall I. Indirectly, he has been the
means of making me the happiest man
on top of the EARTH"
This may account for David's re-
appearance on the lawn three days
later when Russell was again guest
at the Dickson cottage. They were
waiting for Nam Sephny to call them
to dinner, and Russell was showing
the major and Lois the pictures taken
on the eventful evening of assaults and
happinesses.
'He looks peaceful enough now,"
said the young man. with a glance at
David. you'd hardly recognize him
as the fellow who posed for this"
The photograph was study In feroc-
ity. and the livid scar stood out on the
pictured face like the welt of q broad
whiplash.
"It's simply horrifying," said Lois.
shuddering. ''But that is a beautiful
picture Of Mann Sephny. Come here,
nanny. and see how you look to other
people,"
The ancient negress had just come
out to announce dinner, and she vouch-
safed no more than a single contemp-
tuous eye sweep.
Huh! Dat ole niggah wench met
No. ma'am! amt no-wha's nigh as
ole an upgly as dat" Then she caught
sight of the grotesque ferocity. "Faw
de Lawd's sake, young mahsteh, gim-
me dat one. please! Wha'-wha' yo' git
datY'
Russell gave her the picture, and
once more the old eyes filed with tears.
Oats my Geo'ge Washin'ton Alig-
zandah Dickson. grOwed up an come
to be main. OATS de same scar
whut he got ag'inst de ole hot stove in
ole missis' kitchen! Oh. mahsteh, wha'
you all git dat?"
The man on the lawn had dropped
his rake and started toward the house.
The major rose.
II mistrust David's your own boy,
sure enough. nanny. l recollect that
scar myself" he declared. And when
the old woman tottered down the steps,
with her trembling arms spread wide,
the soft hearted veteran seized upon
the two young people and marched
them to the farther end of the long
veranda.
81 reckon the dinner'll have to wait
awhile" he said. "She's been waiting
thirty odd years, you know" After
which. with an inclusive arm sweep.
meant to cover a speedy retreat into
generalities. "Do you have any mo-
delightful prospect than this up yonder
In youh country, Mr.. RussellT
And so they discussed the view and
killed time with set purpose. while
around ON the front steps an old negro
mother rocked herself back and forth,
crying softly and trying to hold stall
wart giant In her arms. as she had