The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-08
GABRIEL TOLLIVER
4 NOVEL OF RECONSTRUCTION
 3s>->lsy JOol Chandler Harris s<-<<<
Copyright, 1908, by Joel Chandler Har rls.

 1 with her work-bag and her turkey-tail i fan, had paid a very early visit to the Lumsden Place She went in very quiet i ly. greeted her old friend in a subdued manner and then sat staring at her with an expression that Mrs. Lumsden failed to understand It might have been the result of special and unmitigated woe, or of physical pain or of severe fatigue. Whatever the cause, 1t was unnatural. and so Gabrlels grandmother made haste to inquire about It.
 .'Why, what in the world Is the matter | Polly? Are you ill?'
 At this Miss Polly acted as if she had l been aroused from a dream or a revery. Her work bag slid from her lap. and tur- key-tail fan would have fallen had it not been attached to her wrist by piece or faded ribbon. "I declare, Lucy, l don know that I ought to tell you; and l wouldn't if l thought you would repeat 1t to a living soul. It Is more than mar velous 1t is indeed. Lucy"-leaning little nearer, and lowering her voice, which was never very loud-"I honestly believe that Rita Claiborne is in love with old Silas Tomnl l certainly do."
 You must have some reason for be- lieving that" said Mrs. Lumsden, with benevolent smile, the cause of which the ear-trumpet could not interpret.
 "Reasonsi l have any number, Lucy. I'm certain you wouldn't believe me, but 1t has come to that pass that old Silas calls on her every night, and they sit In the parlor there and talk by the hour, sometimes with Eugenia, and sometimes without her. It would be no exaggeration at all if I were to tell you that they are talking toAether in that parlor five nights out of every seven. Now, what do they mean by that?"
 "Why, there's nothing in that, Polly. I have heard that they are old acquaint- ances Surely old acquaintances can talk together, and be interested in one an- other, without being in love. Why, very frequently of late, Meriwether Clopton comes here hope you don't think I'm In love with him."
 Certainly not, Lucy, most certainly not. But do you have Meriwether's DOT trait hanging In your parlor? And do you go and sit before 1t and study it and sometimes shake your finger at it playful ly? tell you, Lucy, there arc some queer people in this world and Rita Claiborne Is one of them,
 ''She is excellent company" said Mrs. Lumsden.
 She Is, she is" Miss Polly assented She is full of life and fun; she sees the flQlCulOuS sue or eNtTNlHlnky duu lndl IS why I can. understand her fondness for old Silas Why, Lucy, she treats the DOT trait as if l. were alive What she says to 1t, I can't tell you for my hearing Is not as good now as 1t was before my ears were affected. But she says something for I can see her lips move, and can see her smile. Now, what do you think of 1t, Lucy?"
 Nothing In particular. If it is true, 1t would be good thing for Silas. He is not as mean as great many people think he is."
 "He may not be, Lucy" responded Miss Polly, but he brings bad taste in my mouth every time l see him"
 And just think of It. Lucy-Ritta Clai- borne sits there and plays the piano for old Silas, and sometimes Eugenia goes in and sings, and she has beautiful voice; am not too deaf to know that"
 1t was then that Mrs. Lumsden leaned over and gave the ear trumpet some very good advice. If l were in your place, Polly, l wouldn't tell this to any one else Mrs. Claiborne is an excellent wo- mEn she comes of a good family, and she is cultured and refined. No doubt that she is sensitive, and if she heard that you were spreading your suspicious abroad, she would hardly feel like staying in a house where" Mrs. Lumsden paused. She had no desire in the world to offend that simple-mlnded old soul. who, behind all her peculiarities and afflictions, had a very tender heart
 "I know what you mean, Lucy" said Miss Polly, "and your advice Is good; but l can't help seeing what goes on under my eyes, and thought there could be no harm In telling you about it."
 The explanation of Miss Polly's suspi- cions Is not as simple as her recital of them. No one can account for some of the impulses of the human heart or the va garies of the human mind
 For this and other reasona this chroni- cler does not propose to explain Silas's motives and movements and try to show that they were all to be predicated from the beginning. What Is certainly true Is that Silas was one day stopped in the street by Eugenia who inquired about Paul, He looked at the girl very gloom ily at first, but when he began to talk about the troubles of his son, he thawed out considerably.
 "You mustn't think too much about Paul. remarked Silas grimly, as they were about to part
 "Thank you, sir" replied Eugenia, with smile "I'll think just enough and no more. But 1t was my mother who told nae to ask about him if I saw you. She IS very IOnu or nlfn I Ou never come 10 see us now" the sly creature suggested.
 Silas stared at her before replying. why. I reckon shed kick me down the steps If I called without having some business with her If you were to ask her who her worst enemy is, she'd tell you that I am the man"
 "Well, sir replied Eugenia archly q have been knowing mother a good many years, but I've never seen her put anyone out of the house yet. We were talking about you today, and she said you must be very lonely, now that Paul Is away"
 Yes, that may be true" remarked Si- las, but she has special reasons for not sympathizing with me. She knows me a great deal better than you do." 'I am afraid you misjudge us both" said Eugenia demurely. If you knew us better you'd like us better, I am sure of that" a "-,..a-t
 ''Hump!" grunted Silas. Then looking hard at the girl, he bluntly asked, "Is there anything between you and Paul?"
 "A good many miles, sir. just now" she answered making one of those reorts that Paul thought so fine.
 Hmm; yes, you are right. Well, there can't be too many"
 'I think you are cruel, sir. Is Paul not to come home any more? Paul Is a very good friend of mine and I could wish him we'll wherever he might be; but how would you feel, sir. if he were never to return?"
 Wen, I must go" said Silas somewhat hluntly, and with that he bade her good day with very i'll grace, and went on about his business.
 ssh0thar aatd Eugenia after she had