The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-01
GABRIEL TOLLIVER
4 NOVEL OF RECONSTRUCTION
 @S>-sBy Joe. Chandler Harris<-<<<
Cop yright 1903, by Joel Chandler liar rls.

I-me-oP Rhody-I know i'm. l kin look at i'm sideways an tell ef he feelin' good 1 CT bad CT diffunt What you done ter dat chile? Tell me dat I But sias Tomlin only sat glowering at l Rhody in a way that would have sup- dued and frightened a negro unused to his ways. Rhody started toward the kitchen, but at the dvor ieading to tne dining-room she paused and turned around. "Oh, you got heap ter answer fer-a mighty heap"
 With that she went out Silas sat TOT some time ccmmuning with himself What a blessing it would be, he thought If Paul would make good his threat, ana go away. It would be like tearing his fathers heart-strings out but better that than that he should remain and be a witness to his own disgrace, and to the bitter humiliation of his father
 Sllas had intended to warn his son that he was throwing away his time by going with Eugenia Claiborne-that marriage with her was utterly impossible. But 1t was a very delicate subject, and, once em- parked In 1t, he would have been unable to give his son any adequate or satisfac- tory reason for the interdiction. Many wild and whirlng thoughts passed through the mind of Silas Tomlin. but 1t had never been Silas' way to run from trouble When a boy if his nurse told him the boogerman was behind bush, | he always insisted on Investigating. The same impulse seized him now. If this Mrs Claiborne proposed to make any move against him-as he inferred from the hints which the jovial MT. Sanders l had flung at his head-he would find out | what she meant, and what she wanted. Silas was prompt to act on the impulse. and as soon as he could make the house secure, he proceeded to the Gather Place. His knock after some delay. was an- swered by Eugenia. The girl involuntar- fly drew back when she saw who the vis- itor was. What is 1t you wish?' sne inquired
 { "If your mother Is at home. please ask her If she will see Sias Tomlin on mat ter of business" :"
 Eugenla left the door open. and in a { moment, from one of the rear rooms came the sound of merry, unrestrained I laughter, which only ceased when some one uttered a warning "Sh-hn' ! Eugenia returned almost immediately and invited the visitor into the parior. I Silas seated himself on a sofa, and had time to look about him before the lady of the house came in. It was his second 1 visit to Mrs. Claiborne and he observed many changes had taken place In the dls- 1 position of the furniture and the draper l ies. He noted. too, with a feeling of help less exasperation that his own portrait hung on the wall in close proximity to that of Rita Claiborne. He clnched his hands with inward rage. What does this she-devl mean?" he asked himself, and at that moment, the object of his anger swept into the room She had the air of victor who is willing to be mag unanimous.
 What is your business with me?" she asked with lifted eyebrows. There was l just the shadow of a smile lowering I around her mouth. Silas caught it, ana looking into a swinging mirror, opposite he saw how impossible 1t was for man with weazened face and skull cap to cope with such a woman as this.
 q want to know what you intend to do" said Sas 'I want to know what to expect. l am tired of leading a dogs life. I hear you have been colloguing with I lawyers"
 Do you remember your first visit : here?" inquired Mrs. Claiborne very sweetly. Do you remember now wildly you talked-how insulting you were?'
 'I declare to you on my honor that never intended to insult you" Slas ex- claimed.
 Why, all your insinuations were insult ing You gave me to understand that my coming here was an outrage-as If you had anything to do with my movements. But you insisted that my coming here was an attack on you and your son. When and where and how aid I ever dc you wrong?"
 "Why didn't you-didn't-" Silas tried hard to formulate his wrongs but they were either so many or so few that words failed him.
 ''Did desert you when you were i'll and delirious? Did I put faith in an anony- nous letter and believe you to be dead
 For little while Silas made no reply but sat like one dazed, his eyes fixed on the crayon portrait of himself. Did you hang that thing up there for Paul to sec 1t and ask questions about it?' he asked after awhile.
 T hung 1t there because choose to- , she replied. Judge Vardeman thinks Ii Is q very good likeness Of you, but ] don't agree with him. Do you think il does you justice?" she asked.
 . And, then, there's Paul. said Silas ignoring her question: Do you propose rc } let him go ahead and fall in love witr the gir?"
 Paul Is not my son." the lady calmly answered.
 But the girl is your daughter" sila, insisted.
 q shall look after her welfare, never fear" said the lady.
 But suppose they should take a notlor l to marry; what would you do to stol emp
 oh we'll that is a question for the future" replied the lady, serenely. Her composure, her indifference, caused Slas to writhe and squirm in his chair and she, seeing the torture she was in ticting. appeared to be very well con tent
 I didn't come to argue" said Silas, pre-. sently. q came for information; I wani to know what you intend to do. I'm get. ting my deserts reckon. What I sowec ] that I'm reaping!"
 "Ah!'' the lady exclaimed softly. ant with an air of satisfaction. Do yo, really feel so?'' She leaned forward little, and there was that in her eyes tha denoted something else besides satisfac l tion; compassion shone there. Do yo, really feel that would be justified if confirmed the suspicious you have ex pressed?"
 ''So far as I am concerned, you'd b, doing exactly right" said Silas bluntly , But what about Paul?"
 Well. what about Paul?" Mrs. Clai borne asked.
 Well, for one. thing, he's never don, any harm. And there's another thing, said Silas, rising from his seat: sTd b, willing to have my body pulled to pieces ] inch by inch and my bones broken piece by piece, to save that boy one singi, pang.'
 He stood towering oyer the lady. Flo, once he had been taken clean out of him self, and he seemed to be transfigured | re To o1c