Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-08-20

gentlemen only this afternoon, and
here yo' are dancing beto them as II
yo' were soubrette in theater."
my dear madam" interposed, you
have no idea OF the pleasure she has
given US. she would be grand sue
cess on any stage"
DO 20 think so?" queried JaGueline
triumplantly. I'D love TO dance Oh
the stage
"Jaqueline" again cried Miss Pink
ley.
whats the harm. euntie? I'm not
on the stage"
Yes, but you want to be. To think
of Rutland on the stage! 10 pa
would be mawtited 10 DEATH"
She passed up stairs. and Jaqueiine
began again to rattle on in her singular
way. Suddenly il struck her that she
wanted Girger's banjo, and, calling
CYNTHIA. she sent her for II. Then
after testing the strings, she began 10
play and sing. The music was hight
but sweet. being composed chiefly OF
those unique negro melodies born under
the slave system as delicate plants
sometimes spring up among poisonous
weeds
Without warning she put the banjo
down and began TO talk again. skipping
from one subject TO another, astonlsh-
ing Us by her condolences, sometimes
asking questions, but seldom waiting
for an answer. Presently l spoke or
my stay with the Stanforths.
The Stanforths" she cried. do
you know 'em"
Yes. Do you"
Ought to; they're my cousins. Did
you see Minerva"
NO. Who's MinervaF
Her real name is Helen. We called
her Minerva at school l went TO school
with her two years. She's older than
l, though
q ~ have met Miss Helen Stanforth.'
IF you refer 10 the young lady we
met today" the captain remarked
shes a very beautiful and high bred
woman, much like our Geowgla beau
ties"
"She knows everything" said Jaque'
line; theology, geology, biology psy'
chology. Amy more Of 'emF'
That's quite enough" l admitted.
did you see BuckT
ooh, yes. Buck and became quite
friendly"
Friendly. Buck was born to be
hanged
What makes you think that%
Most fiery, pes;iferous little imp 20
ever saw. Doesn't stop at anything
Mere flashes OF strong nature
When he grows up, he'll control il anC
be all the stronger for it.
Think so? II he was black and
owned him, I'd have him whipped
every day
4 colored woman came in and told
the captain that Miss Pinkley present
ed her compliments, and q room was
ready for him whenever he chose &c
occupy it. She also Informed him that
l could have room.
Captain" l said, II have no reason
! TO get away from you. Indeed,
| wouldn't leave your guardianship Just
! now for a plantation. The man who
! has accused NE is in league w!ih
| others who are interested in getting me
| out Of the way. Now. if you'll permit
/ NE to 20 to bed without guard i
give you my word Of honor not e
leave this house till after the watch las
/ been resumed tomorrow.
Now. captain" put in Jaqueline be
fore the officer could reply, let the poo
| man go 70 bed"
go yo' sake" he asked. looking a.
her with an expression half admrlns
half comical.
70 my sake, TO yo' sake, 70 every
body's sake"
She went up in front of him and. put
ting her little oval face within fe"
inches Of his. brought her snappiL
ewes 10 bear on him and stood waiting
for his decision.
"Wen. l reckon l must let 20 have
20 way. Yo're too pretty to qua E
with"
She clapped her hands. Il knew 1t
Loyellest man | ever met! Too swee
for anything"
The captain smiled that pleasant, In
| dolent smile Of his, looking at me
the same time, as much as TO say
"Nba, a del!ciously odd creature"
while Jaqueline disappeared as suo
| denly as an actress who had FINISHED
her part. Ginger came in with de
eanter and glasses, which he placed oil
the table. The captain sat down be
fore the wine and invited me TO toil
him.
Miss Rutland Is ce'tainly a daint.
uttle thing" he said as he took tn
stopper from the decanter and hlle'
our glasses.
"She certainly Is"
"Most charming creature eve
saw"
what a soubrette she would make.
"Rayishing! Fill 20 glass, sir. Raw
ishlng. Do yo' know, l never saw nC
graceful dancing on the stage:
Nor L.
"And what a sweet little voice"
THE notes Of bird
Bv this time had made up my min
that il would be impossible TO get IL
CAPTAIN on any other subject tina
Jaoueline. and he talked Of her the res
of the evenlug-indeed. till he had III
tshed the decanter. / could not tu
he amused at the transition Jaquelin
had wrought in his treatment OF m'
II occurred TO me to test his good rs
] euro S-4ll further.