The San Francisco call., 1904-02-21
BY G. r. GreenIy

Il beg pardon. but is this Bois
dare, the Marvin plantation
Yes, this is Bols dare. L am the
you? !. L. Marvin" ReppIer
stared blankly. But We had sup
posed"
THAT / were a man?" she broke in
neryously: then, looking at the card
that he handed her. Mr.. Reppher?'
and little later Repplier found him
self in the dim. old parlor receiving
the gentle welcome of Miss Rebecca.
He was carried away with Bois
dare and its vague air Of a better
time that dimly expressed the actual
assured position that had been his life
motive. Self-made, from the days OF
drifting waifhood, when the two home
less boys had struggled against the
current Of the Chicago streets, it had
been an uphill fight. with little time for
the softer things Of life. and here, the
stately rooms where the sunlight fill
tered through the small-Daned viii
doWs TO fall on faces of dead and gone
Marvins, the quaint wainscotted din
ing-roOm, with its time-stained treas
ures; the white table, with its glitter
of silver and glass; the sweetness OF
flowers and the two gentlewOmen, 50
different from all the women that he
had encountered in the rush of the city.
He decided, there and then, to linger
as long as he decently could, answer
ing abstractedly to the running fire of
bright nonsense that Jessica kept up
he felt that somehow he had always
known that soft voice and ripping
laugh.
At last she ventured: You expected
TO consult with Mr.. Marvin as to the
business for the coming season."
Repplier pulled himself together and
came out Of the clouds He had for
gotten his errand.
Yes, had a proposition to make
from our firm. You have been our
chief source Of supply for several
months. and We have decided to offer
YOu an interest, if you VIII agree to
work under our supervision"
Jessica drew a long breath.
RepDiier went to his room that night
in state of mind that battles descrip-
ton, and lay for hours gazing our into
the white night.
Morning-the plantation bell sent its
summons far out in the misty grayness.
Alas, he fields of Bois d Arc had
passed TO alien hands, but the old bell
still swung and lifted it's voice, as it
had done when, in answer to its CALL
the dusky file went forth from the gates
10 toll for the master of Bois dare.
Somewhere, away of a chorus Of
MOUNDS responded. ana neldS began to
nll with the cotton pickers.
Jessica was seated behind the urn as
he sat down to Aunt Ailsa's hot wafiies
and fried chicken. AS he watched the
small, sun-browned hands among the
coffee cups the visions of the night
came back, full force.
Repplier had no excuse for prolong-
ing his stay, but before Jessica drove
him down to Aldana he managed to eX-
Co.. 1,~~s
from Miss Rebecca. Repplier had
touched her strangely with his half
Wistful remark: Christmas is an empty
word TO ne-I have never had a home"
Christmas eve, as Jessica came across
the yard from the Office, Repplier met
her with such honest gladness in face
and voice that she forgot her scruples
and welcomed him as gladly. A long,
happy week, for Jessica, her guard once
down, threw herself into the spirit of
the hour. Repplier found his crumpled
roseleaf, however, in the person OF
Charlie Darlington, who was Jessica's
shadow. TOO confoundly cousinly,"
thought Repplier, as the swift days
few. lie had never cared for dancing.
but il was dull work to stand in the
shadow while Jessica circled the room
in Charles arms. But at last the
round of dances and merrymaking
drew to a close. Repplier grew desper-
ate; there was only one day left to
him. If Miss Rebecca had earned his
gratitude before, she now had his un-
dying affection in the hour when she
pressed Charlie into service to drive
her TO the next plantation.
1t was one of those dreary, mid-win-
ter afternoons. and the open fire flick
cred cheerily. Jessica commenced a
furious onslaught with the poker.
''Poking a fire is a positive stimulant
on a day like this"
Us It? Let me try it." He took
the poker and knelt with her on the
broad hearth. A merry war Of words,