Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-29
Priscilla's throat But Stuart did not heed

Priscilia's throat But Stuart did not heed
her.
He was muttering of Priscilla's gown
had IL been blue or white, or was IL after
all only the rainbow light from the foun.
tain, and there was no Priscilla there at
all2 He could not catch her voice. for the
redbird sang so loud But it did not matter
now,> for every one was dead but he, any
how. Priscilla listened with her white
hands pressing her bosom. Stuart's face
seemed very young and helpless as he
smoothed the tousled head and tried to
arrest the feyerish wanderings OF the
hands, but Stuart did not heed her. The
old woman turned to Priscilla.
Come in hyer, honey. and stay with
him while go get some water"
Priscilla knelt on the floor with one of
Stuarts hot hands in hers. Stuart!
The babbllng voice ceased Sneak 70
me, stuart! The rowing eyes came slowly
to Priscilla's face and paused there.
why, PRISCILLA said Stuart. how did
Priscilla was sobbing now. 81 came to
md YOU To tell you that nothing mat
tered, II only you would come back to me!''
Stuart shook his head. No I can never
hoarsely
Nanny Lucy hurried into the room.
Ieil us what happened to you, Marse
Stuart looked at the old darkey with a
puzzled scowl l just came out for a look
at this old Lavisse place and | stumbled
on the steps of that four posted bed and
terday. | guess"
Priscilla gave little moan. I'm going
pack back for help Nanny, you stay and
bathe Mr. Stuarts face"
Very tenderly the old black face bent
above the flushed young one Very deftlv
and softly she bathed the hollow Cheeks
pld you know l WIZ the berry fust pusson
10 wash yo' pore little face when yo' wuz
born, MarSe Stuart?''
Stuart opened his eyes with the same
puzzled scowl Now don't try to jolly me
up. That is all done with
"Marse Stuart, honey. did YOU look at
dem portraits down in de hall? Did yo see
de one of Marse Gabriel Lavisse?"
Stuart sighed. Yes, 1 saw them all"
Nanny Lucy's fingers trembied with ex-
citement An'-an'> who did he look like,
Marse Stuart?"
The gray eyes looked at the back face
euriousy He looked like me-" he said.
The old darkey chucIsIed delghtedly.
"1assa. yassa, an do yo' know why? Kase
you'se Marsa Stuart Lavisse. lou'se the
lii yeaa-headed baby dat Miss Wentworth
adopted from yo pore dead mother. Yassa.
an hyer yo' is. back in the old mouse dat
belongs to yo'. | knowed yo' blood would
bring yo back
Stuart raised himself on one feeble elbow.
No need for proof to him The old d&r-
keys story was only the one that he had
always lived. Does Priscilla know" he
said. Did you tell herr"
Nanny Lucy nodded. "Yassd. I done
told her the berry day y went away"
Stuart lay back. painting with weakness.
then opened his eyes once more. How did
you find me?'
The old woman smiled with her strange
look of foreknowledge. Il knowed the
blood" she said. Il knowed whele to find
yo'.'
And so dusk again in the garden, and the
puring of the fountain and the soft scent
of the cinnamon roses. Cricket and tree
toad and murmuring summer insects.
Stuart touched his crutch gently and
looked down at Priscilas noble head. IT'S
good to be happy again. he said. How
pretty that vesper thrush song is.
Priscila's hand was fast in his Even
the fountain seems happy" she said.
And perhaps it was