Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-06-19

| WY
e.z
The nc9ro stood oper him tcith great
stone uplitted.
gress came around the corner Of the
house and stood with arms akimbo
scanning the man at work on the lawn.
Her pose was exceptionally good. and
Russell made haste to adjust the cam.
era
"The light Ia exactly right on her
face" he said. Tell her to stand just
as she Is for n moment. please. It's n
chance in thousand"
Lois called TO the unconscious pose
use: Stand still. Nam Sephny-don't
move. Mr.. Russell Is going to take
your picture
The effect OF the warning was alto
gcther unexpected and not little dis
concerting The old negress threw up
her hands. shrieked and disappeared,
and the man on the lawn caught up his
scythe and made as II lie would
charge the group on the vcranda. Lois
laughed merrily
Dear me-" she said, Il quite forgot
that Nam Sephny might object" And
then In explanation. ITS foolish su-
perstition among the older ones; some
how connected with the evil eye be-
lleve."
"She didn't object soon enough" said
Russell, laughing. Il got her before
she moved"
He said II In an ordinary tone, but
the stalwart negro overheard. With a
quick thrust Of his boot heel he knock
ed the scythe blade from Its socket.
and II became n sword to slay. Catch.
Ing up the weapon. he made dash for
the veranda.
Russell saw him coming and realized
dimly that he might presently have to
fight for his life with a superstition
crazed maniac. But at the critical In
stant the artistic prompting was stron-
ger than the self defensive. The man on
the steps. with his weapon swung high,
| became for the moment camera sub
ject not to be duplicated In a lifetime.
The rays Of the setting sun. streaming
over the shrugged shoulder Of the
mountain. fell full on his rage distorted
face. and llvid scar. invisible at other
times. gashed one black cheek from
temple to Jaw angle. II there had been
certain death In the biting Of the
scythe blade. Russell could not have re-
sisted the impulse to photograph the
man as he stood.
| The click Of the camera shutter broke
the spell for all Of them. Lois shrek
ed. her father sprang from his chair
and the negro dropped his weapon. II
was the major who frst found speech.
"Why, David. you black rascal. you!
What are you about. sch? Put that
scythe back on the snath and 60 to
youh work! Do you heah me?"
| The man turned and went back to
bis grass cutting without word, and
when he was out Of earshot Russell
laughed good naturedly.
you've been telling me all along
that I've a good bit to learn about the
brother In black. major and I'm be-
ginning to take II In slowly. Pom my
word. I believe that fellow really had
II In mind to kill mer'
From that the talk drifted easily to
obism and racial characteristics and
| things atavistic. and II was late when
Russell rose to take his leave. Lois
rose. too. and went around to the side
veranda to look for the incline signal
at the Point hotel. II had disappeared.
'The last car has gone down." she
announced. going back to the two men
at the steps. whereupon the hospita-
BILE major made instant Offer Of bed
and breakfast. but the young man
would not fray his welcome.
81 shan't mind the walk In the
least" he protested. ut will do me
good. ! don't have enough exercise
anyway"
So 1t was concluded. and Russell
shook hands with his host. Lois walk
ed to the gate with him, and. since
there was now no car haste to be con-
sidered. the leave takings we're pro-
longed until the light In the upper win
dows Of the cottage warned Lois that
her father had gone to bed.
Really. ] must go now." she said
across the gate for the tenth time at
least. do be careful, and be sure to
take the road. It's longer than the
path, but it's much safer"
The young man laughed and was
glad. What be would fa!n have said
could never dare say itself while she
still wore the old fashioned pearl ring.
but II was worth something to have
her anxious for his safety.
Don't borrow trouble on that
score he rejoined. singing the cam.
era over his shoulder. II doubt II !
could find the path In the dark II |
should try. When may | come againY
Her blush made him thrill with
pleasure. He could not see II. but he
knew It was there.
"Wben do you want to comeT
Tomorrow and the next day and
the day after that and
Flush" she commanded. And then
By way Of reprieve: I'm glld you like
our mountain. Come whenever you
please. Papa 10 always glad to see
you"
A sudden access Of daring tilled bis
soul. "And your he queried.
"Et moi aussI. toujours," was the
laughing concession AZ the nuttering
draperies disappeared up the path.
The music of the words sang itself
over and over as be went his way
down the starlIt lane making shift to
forget the duh luster Of the pearls on
Miss Dickson's fnger-temporarily. at
least
Lois stood at the edge Of the porch
until the shape of him was but dark.
er blur against the shadowy back
ground Of the forest at the lanes foot.
Then she turned to 60 in. In the act
she had glimpse Of shadow dartine
quickly across the lawn. It disappeared
in the blacker shadow Of the cedar
hedge. and something impelIed her tc
70 back to the gate. She was just In
time to re the 6gure Of man glide
through an opening IN the cedarA Il
crouched for an lnstanG O. one Whe