The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-25
CHATTER XVI.

ouy hdS SomeInlug 70 say.
 When Rhody, silas Tomlin's cook and housekeeper, discovered that Paul had left the house in fit of anger, she knew at once that something unusual had ,oc- cured. and her indignation against Silas Tomlin rose high. So. without taking time to serve Silas' supper, she went in search Of Paul. She went to the store where he was the chief clerk, but the doors were closed; she went to the tavern, but he was not to be seen; and she walked along the principal streets, where sometimes the young men strolled after tea There she met negro woman who suggested that he might be at the Gather Place "Humph" snorted Rhody. how come dat amt cross my mind? But ef hes dar dis night, ef he run ter dat gal when he in trouble, I better be layin' off ter cook some weddin' doin's.''
 There wasn't backyard in the town that Rhody didn't know as we'll as she knew her own, and she stood on no cer- emony in entering any of them. She went to the Gather Place and stalfed into the kitchen as though it belonged to ner. At that moment there was no one in sight but Mandy, the housegirl, a bright and good-looking mulatto.
 Why, howdy, Miss Rhodyl" she ex- claimed, in a voice that sounded like a flute. What wind blowed you in here?'
 Put down dem dishes an wipe yo' hans" said Rhody. by way of reply. The girl silently compiled. expressing no surprise and betraying no curiosity. Now, den, go in de house an ax if Paul LTonlin is in dar,' commanded Rhody. "Ef he is des tell i'm dat Nanny Rhody want ter see i'm"
 She went on in the house and Rhody | followed close at her heels.
 When Mandy, closely followed by Rho- dy went into the house, she heard voices in the parlor, but Eugenia was fin the sit- ting room, reading by the light of a lamp.
 Nils Genia." said the girl. ''is Mir. Paul here?'
 Why do you ask?" inquired Eugenia.
 ''They-al cook wanter speak with him. , At this moment, Eugenia saw the some what grim face of Rhody peering over the girls shoulder.
 Paul isn't here," said the young lady rising with vague feeling of alarm. What is the matter?" And then, feel ing if there was any trouble, Rhody would feel freer to speak when they were alone together, Eugenia dismissed Mandy. | Now, what is the trouble, Rhody? MT. Silas Tomlin is in the parlor talking to mother"
 Rhody opened her eyes wide at this. ''He in dar? What de name CT goodness he doin' here?' Eugenia didn't know, of course. and said SO. Wen, he ain't alter no good" Rhody went on. You better watch i'm; you better keep yo' eye on i'm. Is he yever loant yo ma any money?"
 Why. mo-" replied Eugenia, laughing at the absurdity of the question. What | mt that idea vOnr haad7't
 "Bekaze dat's his business-loanin' out a little dab CT money here an a little dab dar, an gttin' back double de dab he loant," said Rhody. He done druv Paul way fum home."
 She spoke with some heat, and really went further than she intended, but she was swept away by her indignation.
 Surely you are mistaken" said Euge- mia. Tt is too ridiculous. Why, Paul MT. Paul is She paused and stood | there blushing.
 Go on, chile; say 1t out; don't be shame CT me. Nobody can't say nothin' good bout dat boy what I kin put lots mo on what dey CT telhn'. Silas Tomlin done tor me out'n his own mouf dat Paul went fum de house vowin he'd never come back"
 Eugenia was so sure that Rhody (after her kind and color) was exaggeratng that she refused to be disturbed by the | statement. Why did you come here hunting for Paul?'' the young lady asked
 "Oh, go away. Miss Genial" exclaimed Rhody, laughing. '"Tain't no needs CT my answerin' dat, kaze you know lots betern I does"
 Are you very fond of him?" Eugenia inquired.
 ''Who. me? Why, honey, raised i'm. I for I helt i'm in deze arms nights an nights, when all he had ter do fer ter leave dis vale wuz ter fetch one gasp an go."
 "Oh, don't say he was driven from hOme!' cried Eugenia, rising and placing a hand on Rhody's arm.
 'Dat sho' is a mighty purity ham," ex- claimed Rhody enthusiastically, Pm gwine ter show somebody de place whar | you laid 1t, an I bet you he'll wanter cut de cloff off and put it in his alvum." !"
 Eugenia made a pretence of pushing Rhody out of the room, but she was blushing and smiling. ''WelPm, he ain't here, sho. an, here's whar he oughter be; but I'll fin i'm dis night an of he ain't gwine back home I ain't gwine back-you kin put dat down." With that she bade the young lady good night and went out.
 As Rhody passed through the back gate she chanced to glance toward Pulaski Tomhn's house, and she saw light shin ing from the library window. "Ah-yt!' she exclaimed, Ines dar, an dey amt no better place fer i'm. Dey's mo home fer i'm right dar den dey yever wus CT yever will be whar he live at."
 So saying, she turned her steps fh the direction of Neighbor Tomlin's. In the kitchen, she asked if Paul was in the house. MT. Paul was there. and had been for some time. "Deyer holdin' reg'lar expeunce meetin' in dar," said the House girl. Miss Fanny sho Is a plum sight,"
 The house girl went again to say that RhodY would like to speak with Inn, and Rhody, as was her custom, followed at her heels.
 Come in Rhody," said Miss Fanny. Paul was lying on the wide lounge. His eyes were closed. and his Aunt Fanny was gently strolxing his hair. Pulaski Tomlin leaned back in any easy chair, lazily enjoying a cigar, the delicate fla vor of which filled the room. There was something serene and restful in the group, in the furniture, in all the access 1ries and surroundings. She sighed ss she seated herself on the floor at the foot of the lounge on which Paul lay. This was her privilege. If Miss Fanny could sit at his head. Rhody could st at his feet.
 You wanted to speak to Paul." sug- gested Miss Fanny.
 ''Yes'm, he lef' de house in a huff, an I wanter know if he gwine back-kaze eff he ain't, I'm gwine ter move way fum dar. Honey" she said 70 Paul. ''hov come vo' na went ter de Gather