The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-15

Mrs. Lumsden reflected moment. ''Why. he went out directly after supper and came in-well. don't remember when he came in. l must have been asleep" sE
 ''Um-m," grunted Mir. Sanders.
 ''Is 1t important" Mrs. Lumsden asked. It may turn out to De right down inn portant," replied MT. Sanders, and then he said no more, but sat looking at the floor and wondering how Gabriel could be released from the tangled web that the spider, Circumstances, had woven about him.
 As Mir. Sanders went out, he met Nan at the door, and there was that in her face that Mir. Sanders had never seen there before. Why honeyi" he exclaim- ed, you look like you've lost your best friend.
 Well, perhaps I have" Her face was pale and she had the appearance of one who was in deep trouble.
 Why, honey, what ails you? I never seed you lookin' like this before."
 You've never seen me ill before." an- swered Nan.
 With that she ran up the steps very rapidly for an Ill person and stood a moment in the hallway.
 Be jigged eff she ain't wuss hit than any of us!" declared MT. Sanders. to himself, as he turned away.
 Following the sound of voices, Nan went into the library. Mrs. Lumsden, who was still walking about restlessly, paused and tried to smile when she saw Nan. Nan went directly to her, and stood looking in the old gentlewoman's eyes. Then she kissed her quite suddenly and impulsiye- ly.
 Nan. you must be ill.," Miss Fanny Tomlin declared.
 q am, Aunt Fanny; am not feeling we'll at all."
 'Lie there on the sofa. child" Mrs. Lumsden insisted Taking Nan by the arm. she almost forced her to lie down. She seated herself on the edge of the sofa, and held Mans hand. caressing 1t softly.
 This Is the way used to cure Gabriel when he was i'll or weary" she said in tone too low for the others to hear. Did your" whispered Nan, closing her eyes with a sigh of satisfaction.
 This is the second time 1 have been able to sit down since breakfast" re- marked Mrs. Lumsden. T have walked miles and miles," re- piled Nan, wearily.
 There was a noise in the hall, and presently Tasma rid peeped cautiously into the room. "Wey you don wit Honey
  you ain kin fool we.''
 Come in, and behave yourself if you know how" said Mrs. Lumsden. Come in. Tid."
 The African came into the room, act- ing as If she were afraid some one would jump at her. ''Sit In the corner there at the foot of the sofa," said Mrs. Lums- den. Tasma Tid compiled very readily with this command. since 1t enabled her to be near Nan. The African squatted on the floor and sat there motionless. Meriwether Clopton and Miss Fanny went away after awhile, but Mrs. Lums- den continued to sit by Nan .caresslng her hand. Not word was said for a long time, but the silence was finally broken by Nan.
 ''Tasma Tid, I want you to go home and tell Miss Johnny that I will spend the rest of the day and the night with grandmother Lumsdeu.
 After Tasma rid had gone q silence fell on the house-a silence so profound that Nan could hear the great clock tick ing in the front hall.
 If I had known what was going to happen when Gabriel came and kissed me good bye," said Mrs. Lumsden, after awhile. T would have gone out there where those men were, and-well. don't know what l wouldn't have done!'
 Didn't Gabriel tell you? Why" Nan paused.
 Not he! Not Gabriel!' cried Mrs. Lumsden in a voice rull of pride. He wanted to spare his grandmother one nights worry. and he did
 Didn't you know when he kissed you good night that something was wrongr' Nan inquired.
 How should I? Why. he sometimes conas and kiasAa ma in the middle of the night, even after he had gone to bed. He says he sleeps better afterwards" What was there in this simple state- ment to cause Nan to catch her breath, and seize the hand that was caressing her.