The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-10
CHAPTER XXI CONTINUED.


Hillyer musingly AN it seems to
me that this life-or the future one
ought to be like that-be jest what a
body would want 1t, mean. 1t looks
like a shame fer you to be tantalized
that away, though, at sech a time.
reckon you heard the Cranstons was
back from Atlanta"
mo: l didn't know it" replied Buck
lev. "When did they come?
4'Day before yesterday. They want
ed TO be here when the New York doc
tor come. He got here, Mrs. Dugah
says. on this mornin's train an went
straight to the house. l axed 'er what
he thought allied the major, but she
hadn't heard the last time l seed her.
She'll git the news as soon as the FAM
ly does, you kin bank on that, an she II
fetch it in to me- She always told me
that | was entitled to the fust slice OF
every pie she picks up. She says
lydia made 'em come home when they
did. They was right in the middle of
whole lot o. lunches an tea parties
in Their honor down thar, an Mrs.
Cranston. it seems, was in fer staylh
over an gittin the majors health re-
mort by mail, but Lydia said no. Stree
It was her daddy. an she wasn't ago
In 10 stay away from i'm minute al
sech a time. even eff he did say they
wasn't necessary. So she busted up
the picnic, an is thar with the ola
white head now. l never seed such
devotion, an that accounts fer the way
she's treated you, George.
eyes. she's a devoted daughter,
Buckley agreed, "and he has been very
much opposed toto our friendship.
"StilI. I'm puzzled about the way
she's dom right now" said Mrs. Hill
yer. with a thoughtful frown. Ever
since you was laid up here I've been
Iookin' fer somen' from her. She
hain't the woman, l tell you, to be
quiet at sech time. At fust, While
she was still in Atlanta, | lowed she
simnly hadn't heard about the shootin'
an when she got back l thought shore
she'd write or call to ak about you,
but not a word or a line has come, an
/ hardly know what to think about II.
'"There is one thing which would eI-
plain it," said Buckley, and the OBJ
servant woman saw his tense ups
tw,tching. "She may be engaged To
Telfare. an he may have asked hel
net to communicate with me. lf-lf
sic has promised to marry him, she
would respect his wishes. She's thai
kind Of woman"
"George"-Mrs. Hillyer took deer
breath-''do you reckon she has agree;
to marry that MANI
I'm really afraid she has" Buckley
answered. I'm afraid she has glYeI
In to the wishes of her people"
There was silence for moment; thel
Mrs. Hillyer broke it abruptly as sh'
rose and moved toward the door
'Well." she said almost furiously "e
she has-ef she has I'd never have TIT
respect fer 'er | once had an that
still have. The fact is I'm not a-goin
to condemn 'er tell know she's dom
1t. Thar's some mystery here, an In
gcin' to find out what 1t Is
Half an hour later she burst into tn
room, huge bunch Of white and REL
roses in her hands. Them beautie
don't grow on but one lawn In TIL
town." she said, with a joyous smile
'HThey come Jest this minute, an here
note with 'em. | knowed she'd sem
some word, George. She amt the VIC
man to keep quiet when the Who'll
county is braggin' n out your Drawer
an rejoicin' over your recovery.
natural woman will chip in at tim
like this or die"
George took the note While sne wa
putting the flowers into a big vase
a table near his bed. He opened i
and the glad light in his eyes went ou
Turning back to him, Mrs H1llye
noted the blank look of disappointmen
on his wan face.
"Tbey are from Miss Cosby" he sal
family as with shaking fingers he re
stored the tinted sheet of note pape
to its envelope. His eyes met the IL
dignant stare Of the woman.
Miss Cosby" she cried. AN not
word from the other? It's shame!
Tt's sort of compromise" Buci
dey said bitterly. 81 was really III
expecting anything. Miss Cosby pr
sents her compliments, admires what
did and Is glad l am getting wei
She's all right She's brick. III
,other-well, l must forget her, NJ
good friend. must be man and TO
get her"
Tears shone in Mrs. Hillyer's eyes
she bent and stroked his bandage
brow. s'George" she said. they al
inf1uenc.n' 'er-them old folks ar
she wouldn't do you this way OF
own accord, fer she's good, true girl
"Perhaps-perhaps that's it, ne sa
YEARLY and turned his face away.
CHAPTER XXXII.
I'm the afternoon of the next az
I'M Hillyer returned. Leaving
~ III horse at the door, he Went