The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-01


 time to serve Silas' supper, she went III search of Paul. She went to the store where he was chief clerk, but the doors were closed; she went to the tavern ou. he was not to be seen; and she WalKeu along the principal streets. where some times the young men strolled after tea There she met a negro woman who sus- gested that he might be at the Gather Place. "Humphl" snorted Rhody, now come that ain't crossed my mind? But CT he's dar dis night eff he run ter dat gal when he in trouble, I better be layin OH ter cook some weddin' doin's.'
 There wasn't a back yard in the town that Rhody didn't know as we'll as she knew her own. and she stood on no cere- mony in entering any of them She went to the Gather Placce, and stallSed into the kitchen as though 1t belonged to her. At the moment there was no one in sight but Mandy, the house girl, bright ana good looking mulatto.
 why, howdy, Miss Rhody,' she ex- claimed. in a voice that sounded like flute, what wind blowed you in here?
 Put down dem dishes and wipe yo hans" said Rhody, by way of reply. The girl silently complied expressing no surprise and betraying no curiosity. Now den, go In de house. and ax eff Paul Tom lin is in dar'' commanded Rhody. "Ef he Is des tell i'm dat Rhody want ter see l i'm"
 She went on in the house and Rhody i followed close at her heels. When Mandy, closely followed by l Rhody. went into the house. she heard voices In the parlor, but Eugenia was in the sitting-room reading by the light of lamp
 Miss Genia,' said the girl, lis MT. l Paul here?'
 Why do you ask?s inquired Eugenia
 "They-all cook wanter speak with him. At this moment. Eugenia saw the some what grim face of Rhody peering over the l girls shoulder.
 Paul isn't here" said the young lady rising with a vague feeling of alarm. What Is the matter?' And then. feel l ing that If there was any trouble, Rhody would feel freer to speaw when they were alone together, Eugenia dismissed Man dy. Now what is the trouble, Rhody? MT. Sllas Tomlin is in the parlor talking l mother"
 Rhody opened her eyes wide at this. ''He in dar? What de name CT goodness he doin' here?" Eugenia didn't know. or course. and said so. "Well, 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 i put that idea In your head?"
 "Bekaze dat's his business-loanin' out n little dab CT money here an little dan dar an gittin' 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 Flu ] genia. 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 but what I kin put a lots mo on what dey CT tellin'. Sllas Tomlin 1 done tol me out'n his own muf dat Paul went fum de house vowin he'd never come back"
 Eugenia was so sure that Rhody (after her kind and color) was oxaggerating that she refused to be disturbed by the statement. Why did you come hei hunting for Paul?" the young lady asked
 "Oh, go away, Miss Genia!' exclaimed Rhody laughing. "Tain't no needs my answerin' dat. kaze you know lots bet. tern I does.''
 Are you very fond of him?" Eugenia inquired.aa
 Who. me? Why, honey. l raised i'm Sick CT well. I nussed i'm fer long years l helt i'm in deze arms nights an nights l 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 mighty purity han','' ex- claimed Rhody enthusiastically. I'm gwine ter show some body de place whal you laid 1t. an I bet you he'll wanter cu- de cloff out an put it in his alvum.'
 Eugenia made a pretense of pushing Rhody out of the room. but she was blushing and smiling. 'Wel,'m he ain't here, sho. an here's whar he oughter be but I'll fin i'm dis night an ef he aln't gwine back home. I aint gwine back you kin put dat down" lth that sh, bade the young lady good night and wen out.
 As Rhody passed through the back gate she chanced to glance toward Pulaski Tomlin's house, and saw light shining from the library window. "Ah-yi!" sh, exclaimed, Ines dar, an dey ain't no bet ter place fer i'm Deys mo home fer in right dar den dey yever wus CT yevel will be whar he live at"
 So saying. she turned her steps In tn, direction of Neighbor Tomlins In tn, kitchen, she asked if Paul was In tn, house. MT. Paul was there, and had beer for some time. "Deyer holdin reg lar expeunce meetin' in dar," said tn, house girl. Miss Fanny, she is a pluu sight,"
 The house girl went again to say tha Rhody would like to speak with him, ans Rhody, as was her custom, followed a her heels.
 Come in. Rhody' said Miss Fanny.
 Paul was lying on the wide lounge | His eyes were closed, and his Aunt Fan ny was gently stroking his hair e,ulask Tomlin leaned back in an easy chair, lazl ly enjoying cigar. the delicate flavor O which filled the room. There was some thing serene and restful in the group, fl the furniture. in all the accessories an, surroundings. She sighed as she seate, herself on the floor at the foot of tn lounge on which Paul lay. This was he privilege. If Miss Fanny could sit at hi head. Rhody could sit at his feet
 You wanted to speak to Paul" sug gested Miss Fanny.
 'Yes'm: he lef de house in a huff, an wanter know eff he gwine back-lkaze Q he ain't. I gwine ter move way fun dar Honey" she said to Paul, "how came yo pa went ter de Gather Place ter-night What business he got dar?
 This was news to Paul. and he coul, make no reply to Rhody's question.
 Was he really there?" he asked
 q hear i'm talkin in de parlor, an Nils I Gena say it's hin"
 What were you doing there?' inquire, Miss Fanny.
 "A colored oman recommended me te go dar of I wan ter fin dat chile"
 Why. Paul, And Is the wind reall, blowing in that quarter?' cried Mis- Fanny. leaning over and kissing him ol