The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-07-13

The negro stood oVcr him actth O great
stone uplttted.
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 is exactly right on her
face" he said. Tell her to stand just
as she is for moment, please. It's q
chance in a 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
gether unexpected and not a little dis
concerting. The old negress threw up
her hands. shriekcd and disappeared.
and the man on the lawn caught up his
scythe and made as II he would
charge the group on the veranda. Lois
laughed merrily.
Dear me-" she said. Il quite forgot
that Nam Sephny might object" And
then in explanation. Its a foolish su-
perstition among the older ones; some
how connected with the evil eye,' be-
lieve."
"She didn't object soon enough" said
Russell. laughing. II got her before
she moved"
He said 1t 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 1t became 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 a camera SUBJ
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 livid scar. invisible at other
AiAhSo, SASnS0 OnC DkdCA CLICK IEOLu
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 It
was the major who first 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
his grass cutting without a word. and
when he was out of earshot Russell
laughed good naturedly.
you've been telling me all along
that I've good bit to learn about the
brother In black, major. and I'm be-
ginning to take 1t In slowly. 'Pon my
word. believe that fellow really had
1t In mind to kill mep'
From that the talk drifted easily to
obism and racial characteristics and
things atavistic. and It 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
ut the Point hotel. 1t 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.
Il shan't mind the walk In the
least" he protested. ut win 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 n)w no car haste to be con-
sidered. the leave takIngs were pro-