The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-25

Just as MT. Darlington drove up, and just as Mrs Absalom was about to get her bonnet, for the purpose. as she said of securing the town Nan came run ming in out of breath, "Oh, such time as I've had ' she exclaimed. You'll not be angry with me, Eugenia, when you hear all! Talk of adventures We'll, I have had one at last, after waiting all these yearsl Don't scold me, Nonny, un- til you know where I've been and what I've done And poor Johnny has been crying, and having all sorts of bad thoughts about poor me. Don't go Eu- cenia: I am going with you in a mo- ment-iust as soon as I can gather my wits about me. I am perfectly wild"
 "Tell us something new" said Mrs. Ab- salon arily Here we've been on pins and needles, thinking maybe some of your John A. Murrels had rushed into town an kidnapped you, an all the time you an that sink of nigger have been gallivanting over the face of the yeth I declare ef Randolph don't do somethin' wi you they aint no tellin' what'll be- come of you.'
 But Dr. Darlington was not in the hu- nor for scolding. For one brief moment Nan thought he was too angry to scold, and this she dreaded worse than any out break. But she soon discovered that hls gravity, which was unusual had it's oIi- | gin elsewhere She saw him take tiny tin wagon, all painted red from his poek- ct and place it on the mantel-piece, and both she and Mrs. ,Dorrington went To , him.
 'oh, popsy I'm So sorry about every l thingl He didn't need it, did hep
 NO, the little fellow has no more use for toys. He sent you his love- Nan. He was talking about you with his last breath; he remembered everything you said and did when you went with sme to see him. He said you must be good
 Nan cried a little, and so did Eugenia Claiborne, when she heard the story of the little boy who had suffered so long and so patiently. The news of his death tended to quiet Nan's excitement, but she told her story. and, though the childs death took the edge off Mans ex- citement. the story of her adventure at tracted as much attention she thought it would. She said nothing about Ga- briel, and it was supposed that only she and Tasma Tid were in the closet; .but the next morning when Dr. Dorringtcn drove over to Cloptons to carry the in- formation, he was met by the state ment that Gabriel had told of it the night before. A little inquiry developed the fact that Gabriel had concealed himself III lHc tlOSOl III otNcI u sQiSCON6I liic mysteries of the Union League.
 Darlington had decided that the matter was either very serious or very amusing and he took occasion to question Nan about 1t. You didn't tell us that Gabriel was in the closet with you" he said to Nan.
 Well, popsy, so far as I was con cerned, he was not there. He certainly had no idea that l was there. He never will find it out unless he is told by some one who dislikes me. Outside of this family, not a soul knows that I was there except Eugenia Claiborne, and I'm perfectly certain that she'll never tell any one'
 Darlington thought his daughter should have a little lecture, and he gave her one but not of the conventional kipd. He simply drew her to him and kissed her. saying, My precious child, you must never forget the message the little boy sent you. About the last thing he said was "Tell my Miss Nan to be dood.'' And you know my dear, that it is neither proper nor good for my It. tie girl to be wandering about at night She is now young lady, and she must begin to act like one--not too much you know, but just enough to be good.',
 Now, you may depend upon it, this kind of talk, accompanied by smile of af- fection went a good deal further with Nan than the most tremendous scolding would have gone It touched her where she was weakest and she vowed to her self that she would put off her hoyden ways and become a demure young lady, or at least play the part to the best of her ability.
 Eugenia Claiborne declared that Nan had acted more demureIy in the closet -1x- Gabriel, Paul Tomlin had come spying on the radicals where she was q don't see how you could help saying something If had been in your place, and Paul had come in there, l should certainly have said something to him, if only to let him know that l was as patriotic as he was.'' Miss Eugenia had grand ideas about pa- triotism
 "Oh, If it had been Paul instead of Ga- briel, I would have made myself known said Nan; but Gabriel-''
 This conversation occurred while Nan was visiting Eugenia, and in the course thereof, Nan was given to understand that her friend thought a good deal of Paul Tomlin. As soon as Nan grasped the idea that Eugenia was trying to con- vey-there never, was a girl more obtuse in love matters-she became profuse in her praise of Paul. who was really a very clever young man and very agreed ble, entirely unlike Snas Tomlin, his father.
 If Eugenia thought that Nan would ex- change condolences with ner, she was sadly mistaken. Nan had a horror of falling in love, and when the name of Gabriel was mentioned by her friend, she made many scornful allusions to that youngster.
 'But you know, Nan, that you think more of Gabriel than you do of any other young man." said Eugenia. T knew the moment I saw you together the first time that you were fond of him and when. was told by some one that you were to marry MT. Bethune. Iai,eh- ed at them
 I'm glad you did," replied Nan. 1T care no more for Frank Bethune than for Gabriel"
 Well, you have been acting as if yeu hate Gabriel" suggested Eugenia.
 Oh, don't like him half as well as did when we were playfellows I think he's changed great deal His gra1,o;- mother says he's timid, but to me if IooKs more like conceit. No childn Nan ue,,t on with an affectation of great gravity. the man that I marry must be sone' body"
 Then I'm afraid youth have to move away rom this town, or remain an ola maid, said the other. "Or it may he that Gabriel'will make great man He ana faul belong to a debating society here In town, and Paul says that C,ah,ia1 can make as good speech as any ona he ever heard. They invited some of tbe older men not long ago, and mother heard MT. Tomlin say that Gabriel would make great orator some day. So you see he is already getting to be famous" But will he ever wear a red feather in his hat snd red sash over his sho,,i-