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

"Run-run to the house and call my
father! Tell him what you've done
and bring him quickly! Go"
When Russell opened bis eyes, be
| thought he was on train which was
roaring through an interminable tup-
mel. Not otherwise could the din and
clamor drumming In his ears be &C
counted for. Then the imaginary train
shot out into darkness and starlight
and silence. and be remembered. None
the less. there was a gap and things
unaccountable In t. Something had
struck him fairly between the shoul-
| ders, and he had fallen face down
ward Now he was lying on bis back.
with his bead pillowed. He groaned.
and the hallucination returned. II was
q train. after all and be must be In n
berth In the Pullman, with the roof OF
| the car gone and the stars twinkling
sleepIly overhead. Undoubted stars
they were. and In clear sky, aud yet
II was raining. He felt drop plash
on bis cheek and was vaguely con-
scious OF a prompting to get up and
seek shelter. But when he would have
essayed It two soft arms went about
his neck. and a pair Of tremulous lips
touched his forehead. AS half stun
ned man might. he said the first thing
that suggested itself. IL don't care II II
rains pitchforksv'
"Oh. | am so gladr' said voice with
a sob In II. IL was sure he had killed
you. Where are you hurt"
Russell came to his own In the mat
ter Of self possession with gratifying
celerity.
AS long as lie perfectly still I'm
not hurt anywhere. Don't move, please.
Was II the crazy headed negroT
"Yes: II was David. He thought you
had 'hoodooed' Nam Sephny. and he
was trying to smash the camera
where Is be nowT
"He has gone TO the house for help
Oh, do wish they'd hurry"
Don't I'm quite comfortable"
Then 10 a spasm OF reluctant thought
fulness. But you'll take cold sitting
on the ground"
He made shameless pretense OF ris
Ing, and the two arms held him down.
as he had hoped they would. One OF
them was unsleeved for n little way.
and he kissed It.
"Oh. I don't believe you are hurt at
alIv
"Yes. am-dreadfully. How did
you come to be herer'
II saw David following you"
"Then you were not In such hurry
to go In as you said you were"
FL was going In when ] saw him"
"Oh! And then you ran after him
and tried TO save me. like the brave lii
tie girl that you are. Lois. my darling.
/ suppose you've got 10 be true TO the
other man, but love you-love you
thousand times better than he ever
could II he tries till doomsdayw'
''The othery There was whole
gusIllade Of queries In the two little
words, and he lifted her hand, the one
with the ring on the finger, and kissed
1t.
"Yes; 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 doesT 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 teli
me you love him. Lois; couldn't stand
thatw
But I do" There were hurryina
steps In the road above them, and the
fiickering light OF 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? II
was mothers ring. and he gave 1t II
me-"
This was how It came about that the
major, coming hastily with an impro-
yised 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 II
took the better half Of fresh cigar on
Russell's 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 apd sentence. Hes
youh man, my son." said the major.
"Of course he's n grand rascal. and It's
youh privilege to send him to the coal
mines. but
| "But a southern gentleman wouldn't
invoke ehe law because an Ignorant
negro was terrified enough TO knock
him down, you would say. Well, nei-
ther shall /. 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 eyentiul evening Of assaults and
happiDesses.
"He looks peaceful enough now,'
said the young man, with q 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 a broad
whiplash.
Tts simply horrifying." said Lois
shuddering. "But that is beautiful
picture of Nam Sephny. Come here
nanny, and see how you look to other
people"
The ancient negress had just come
ont to announce dinner, and she vouch
safed no more than single contemp
tuous eye sweep
Huh! Dat ole niggah wench me-
No, ma'am! amt no-wha's nigh al
ole an upgly as dat" Then she caught
sight Of the grotesque ferocity. "Fav
de Lawd's sake. young mahsteh. GIN
me dat one. please! wha'-wha' yo' 81
dat?"
Russell gave her the picture. and
once more the old eyes filed with tears