Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-10-04

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wound which incapactated him from
further service, and was indeed in
time the cause Of his death, he had
acquired a swift suppleness Of silent
movement, which his daughter has
inherited also.
When he came upon us he stared
for but one second, then came that
black flash into his eyes, and out curv-
ell an arm. and the little maid was on
her fathers shoulder, and he was
questioning me with something Of mis-
trust. was gentleman born and
bred. but my clothes sat but rough
ly and indifferently on me, partly
through lack of oversight and partly
from that rude tumble l igd gotten.
Indeed. my breeches and my coat were
something torn by it.
Then. too. had doubtless a look OF
chastliness and astonishment that
might well have awaked suspicion, and
Captain Geoffry Cavendish had never
spoken with me in the short time since
his return. "Who may you be-? he
ssked. and his voice hesitated between
hostility and friendliness, and my step
,atLer answered for me with slight
forward thrust Of his shoulders which
might have indicated shame. or impa-
tience. or both. "'Tis Master Harry
Maria Wingfield." answered he; then
in the same breath, "How came you
here. sr?'
I answered. seeing no reason why !,
should not. though fc!t my voice
shake, being still unsteady with the
pain. and told the truth. that / had
come thither to see if perchance could
get glimpse of some of the black folk.
At that Captain Cavendish laughed
good humoredly, being used to the en-
citcment his black troop caused and
amused at II. ana called out merrily
that was about to he gratiied. and in
deed ut that moment came running,
with fat lunges. aS it were. of tremuious
speed. great black woman in pursuit
of the little maid and heaved her high
TO her dark wave of bosom with hoarse
chuckies and cooings of love and de
light and white rollings Of terrified
eyes at her master if pcrchancc he
might be wroth ut her carclessness.
He only laughed ana brushed his
dark beard against the tender roses ot
the little maid as he gave her up. but
my stepfather, who. though not i'll ma
tured, often conceived the necessity OF
i'll nature. was not so easily satisfied.
He stood looking sternly ut my white
face and my weak yielding of body at
the bend of the knees. and suddenly he
caught me heavily by my bruised
shoulder. what means all this
sirrah?" he cried out. but then sank
away before him, for the pain was
greater than could bear
When | came to myself my waist
coat was off, and both men looking AT
my shoulder, which the horses hoof
must have barely grazed, though nc
more, or should have been In worse
plight Still the shoulder was q sorry
sight enough, and the great black wo'
man with the little fair baby in her
arms stood aloof looking at 1t with
ready tears. and the baby herself made
round eyes like stars, though she knew
not half what it meant. felt the hot
red of shame 20 over me ut my weak
ness at a little pain, after the fist
shock was over, and l presumably
steeled to bear it like man, and
struggled to my feet, pulling my waist
coat together and looking, l will ven
ture, much like sulky and Ill condi
toned lad.
"What means that hurt on your
shoulder, Harry?" asked my stepfa'
ther. Colonel John Chelmsford. and his
voice was kind enough then. Il would
not have laid such heavy hand on thy
! shoulder had known Of it," he added.
NV stepfather had never auGht against
me that wOt Of. having simply naught
| for me, and man cannot in justice be
held to account for the limitations OF
his affections, especially toward RI
-~ars son. He spoke with all kindness,
and his great ruddy face had heavy
CLEAN of pity for my hurt, but l an
swered not one word. How came II
so, Harry?" he asked again, with grow
ing wonder at my silence, but would
not reply.
! Then Captain Cavendish addressed
me. "You need have no fear, however
you came by the hurt, my lad" he said,
and verify believe he thought l had
somehow caught the hurt while poach-
ing on his preserves l stood before
them quite still, with my knees stih
enough now. and think the color came
! back in my face by reason of the re-
sistance of my spirit.
Harry, how got you that wound on
your shoulder? Answer me. SIR" said
Colonel Chelmsford. his voice gathering
wrath anew. But remained silent.
Then my stepfather's face blazed
high and his mouth Strengthened and
widened and his grasp frightened on
riding whip which he carried. for he
had left his horse grazing few yards
away. "How came you by 1t, sir?" he
demanded, and his voice was thick.
Then, when would not reply. he raised
the whip and swung 1t over my shoul-
ders, but caught it with my sound
arm ere it fell and at the same time the
little maid. Mary Cayendish, set up q
piteous wall of fear in her nurses
arms.
81 pray you, sir, do not frighten her.
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