The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.
cephas Has His Troubles.


My dear. what put 1t into that wise
little head of yours to como and comfort
an old woman" Mrs. Lumsden asked
when Merriwether Clopton and Miss Fan
ny Tomlin had taken their departure.
She was still sitting close 10 Nan, caress-
ing her hand.
II thought you would be lonely with
Gabriel gone, end l just made up my
mind to come. If you don't want me III
soon find 1t out"
II can't tell you how glad / am, Nan,
to have you mere; and l s1ess your teei-
ings No doubt you were shocked to near
that Francis Bethune' had been taken
with the rest" The dear old lady had
the knack of cllnging to her ideas.
I'm, sure don't know what you mean,
Grandmother LLmsden. l care no more
for Mr.. Bethune than l do for the others
perhaps not so much.
Il don't know why 1t is" said Mrs
I.umsden, "but | have always looked Tor
ward to the day when you and Francis
would be married.
rye heard you talk that way before.
and I've often wondered why you cid 1t
"Oh. well. perhaps 1t Is one OF my fool
ish drear1,s," said Mrs. Lnn1sden with a
sigh,
9Ym,r fathers plantation and that OF
FRANCIS grant ldiH'i a.
and | have thought 1t would be romantic
for the heirs to join hands and max
the two places one.
1T can't see anything romantic In that,
Grandmother Lumsden, it's ike sum IN
arithmetic"
"Well. YOU must allow old people to In
dulee in their dreams, my dear. When
Won are as old as | am and have seen as
much of life, you will have different ideas
about romance
II hope, ma am. that your next cream
will be truer,' said Nan, Almost play
fully.
That night Nan lay awake for a long
time. AT last she slipped out Of bed
felt her way around It, and leaned over
end kissed Gabriel's grandmother. In an
instant she felt the motherly arms OF the
old gentlewoman around her.
is that the way you do when GABRIEL
comes and kisses you In the night9
whispered Nan wistfuily.
yes. yes, my dear-many times"
"Oh. I am so gladl' the words exhaled
from the girls lips in long-drawn.
tire milling sigh, Then she went back to
her place In bed and soon both the com
forter and the comforted were sound
asleep.
As has been limited. the moment Mr..
Sanders discovered there was some slight
chance of getting a message to Gabriel.
he became one of the busiest men In
Shady Dale. Among those whom De took
Gee aston to see was Mr.. 1idwcll whose
son Jesse was among the prisoners.
Gus said Mr.. Sanders. without any
ceremony, you remember the row you
come mighty nigh havin' wi Tomlin Fer
due not so, many years ago?
YES ] remember something or II, re-
piled Mr.. Tidwel
well, it's go. to be done over ag'in, "
remarked Mr. Sanders. "1t happened in
Malvern, didn't it,
yes, In the depot" replied Mr., Tidwell.
we were both on our way TO Atlanta,
nd the major misunderstood something
! lad said"
"Egzackly! We'll, IT must ,e done over
ae in
Mr.. Tidwell lowered his head and APP
peared TO reflect Then he Strengthened up
eeain, and his face was very serious.
"Mr. Sanders, has Tomiin Perduc been
dropping his wings about that fuss? Has
Le been making remarks?
"Oh, / reckon not" replied Mr.. Sand
ers, cheerfully. But I've got mighty
good reason for akin you about 1t. Come
in your office, Gus, and I'll tell you all
know. AM it won't take two minnIts."
They went in and closed the door. and
remained for some time. While they
were thus engag ed. silas Tonlin came
to the door, tried the bolt, and finding
that II would not Yield, walked restlessly
up and down, preyed upon by many
strange and conflicting emotions. He had
evidently gone through much mental snf-
fering. His face was drawn and haggard.
| and his clothes were shabbier than ever.
| He took no account Of time, but walked
r frfdualI 4
come out, and as he walked he was the
victim both Of his fears and his affections
| One moment, he heartily wished that he
might never see HIS son again; the nsxl
| he would have given everything he pos
sessed to have the boy back. and heal
once more the familiar, Hello, fatherY'
After awhile. Mr.. Sanders and Mr.. It'd
well came forth from the lawyers office