The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-08-17

summons far out into the misty gray
ness Alas, the fields of Bots dare
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 to toll for the master of Bots
dare. Somewhere away off chorus
Of hounds responded. and fields began
to fill with the cotton pickers.
Jessica was seated behind the urn as
he sat down to Aunt Ailsa's hot waf-
fies and fried chicken. AS he watched
the small sunbrowned hands among
the coffee cups the visions of the night
came back In full force.
Repplier had no excuse for prolong-
ing his stay, but before Jessica drove
him down to Aldana he managed to
extract an invitation for the holidays
from Miss Rebecca. Repplier had
touched her strangely with his half
wistful remark. christmas is an emp
ty word to me. have never had a
home
Christmas eve, as Jessica came
across the yard from the office. Rep
Dlier met her with such honest glad
ness in face and voice that she forgot
her scruples and welcomed him as
gladly. A long. happy week, for Jes-
sica, her guard once down, threw her.
self into the spirit of the hour. Rep
plier found his crumpled rose leaf.
however, in the person Of Charlie Car
rington. who was Jessica's shadow.
i,,1v Ia
Repplier as the swift days few. He
had never cared for dancing but it
was dull work to stand in the shadow
while Jessica circled the room in Char
lies arms. But at last the round of
dances and merrymakings drew to a
close. Repplier grew desperate. There
was only one day left to him. If Miss
Rebecca had earned his gratitude be-
fore she now had his undy.ng affection
in the hour when she pressed Charlie
into service to drive her to the next
plantation.
1t was one of those dreary. midwin-
ter afternoons. and the open fire flick
cred cheerily. Jessica commenced a
furious onslaught with the poker.
"Poking fire is positive stlmulant
on day like this
rs it? Let me try it." He took the
poker. and they knelt together on the
broad hearth. \ merry war of words
and then Il silence that neither of them
dared to break. Jcssica gaZed deep in
to the heart of the fire. but Repplier's
eyes were on the dark curls. He could
not see her face. AS he dropped the
poker she stretched out her hand to
find it caught and held-"Jessica" 1t
was just whisper, but the rich color
went over her face. and the hand flut-
tered within the strong grasp that held
1t prisoner as he went on. Il know II Is
too soon. but l cannot go and leave my
story untold. You know that ! have
loved you from the moment that first
saw you. l believe that I have loved
you always. Above and beyond all law
of caste. all difference of north and
south. somewhere. somehow. you have
belonged to me. and l want my own
Outside the raindrops battered
against the long windows. then the
neigh of a horse as Charlie and Miss
Rebecca drove through the big gate.
The brown head dropped lower. and
the hand in his no longer struggled to
escape. Quick to grasp his vantage
ground. he drew the slight figure to
him. For just the briefest time his lips
sought hers; then, flushed and shy. Jes-
sica retreated to the other end of the
rug as Miss Rebecca. standing in the
open door. read the end of the chapter.