The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-30
THE BLOOD w HIM.

1 of his boyhood existence, were only pictures and not memories. He did not | try to Justify himself. He only sat weariiy with dull sense Of failure that was only the more poignant be- cause of his youth. And the dawn lifted upon a face drawn and hope less.
 Early in the morning Priscilla stood before the fountain. It was so early that the eobwebs were still dew wet | and sagging threads of web dropped ! from the style of the sundial. Dog ldays in the city. but at the Manor early morning of the early harvest season; dahlia rows and budding as- tors; far down beyond the lawn, low lying meadows flush with golden-rod and gentian.
 T can't bear it," whispered Priscilla 1 to the fountain. "Its not fair to ask me to bear 1t. It is the only thing he ever deceived me in.'' The fountain tinkled on, and the red bird in the birch enrolled out his heart. 'Tf forgive him-if forgive him-- will ever trust him again?
 If I-Oh. I don't believe he meant harm. I think he did it to please me. I wish that I might forgive him!--I almost think shall.
 But no, he deceived me. Anything but that! He ought to have known IndL dIltT l 1ONSQ HitH lONcu Hltils whether he was bred North or South. 1t was insulting to me" The cowbells tinkled merrily in tpe meadows, the voices or housemaids floated from the kitchen. The garden gate clicked, and with q great flush Priscilla turned. A dried little mulat- to woman walked slowly toward the fountain. As she spied Priscilla her dark face broadened with a cheerful grin.
 '1 done 'spects youse xne very ono l come to see." she said breathless1y.
 "Yes?" asked Priscilla. Iistlessly
 'T was bound to bring good luck 60 Marse Stuart's bride. Good wishes fore breakfas' of de third day befo' dc wedding you knows
 Priscilla spoke quickly. What do you know about Mir. Stuart?"
 The old woman rolled her eyes. "Knowf Why, ain't I de one 'at tux him from his dead mother. and ain't 1 de one at gib him tosthe lady that adopted him? An when I heard that lip Mass Stuart was gwine be mar ried, didn't come No'tn to be at his weddin'T'
 Oh, the birds in the blue, and the soft touch of the wtnd in her facel Priscilla's throat trembled again as she took tKe old woman's hands in her own.
 WnGT6 was A1Es 0ludTL OOEIi, hAaIlN myT" she asked.
 "In Louisiana, ob course" replied the old woman, wonderingly. Don't you know where yo' man wuz born, honey?"
 Priscilla shook her head. He does not know. His adopted mother Iosr her mind when he was still baby, and no one knew anything about her or the boy. She is dead, now"
 Nanny. Lucy snorted with anger. "Ain't that the most outlandishest-" she began. but Priscilla interrupted.
 "oh. Nanny" she whispered, Man. my, go down the street to the white house with the green blinds, and tell Stuart what you have told me-
 And once more the garden gate clicked
 It was not more than half an hour later than Many Lucy returned to Priscilla, who wandered restlessIy up and down the graveled walks.
 "Honey, he's done gone"
 Zone! Gone wherer'
 DO know, honey! That white nig- ger that's there says he went away afore daylight, almost with a valise Told him good-by. an he wouldn't see him agin for years. maybe"
 Priscilla's-f face was going wan. "Oh. Nanny what shall I do? What shall I do? There is only my old aunt here to advise me"
 The old darkey smoothed her apron musingly, then took the girls cold fingers in hers. and led her Co the seat by the fountain.
 ''Yo' jes' tell Marse Stuarrs old man. my all about 1t. What for you two quarrel so, jes' befo' the weddin' day?"
 So out came the whole wretched lit- tie story with the old woman's gnarl- ed hand batting the cold one that lay on her knee. When Priscilla had flr- ished. Nanny Lucy shook her head.
 q do know nothin' apout right CT wrong. I jes' know that Marse Stuart wuz the bery last one of the bery best Louisiana family an he Jus couldn't help bein a Southerner. An I don't tink -goall sReSe git him back agin.