The Democratic advocate., 1908-05-08
A Question Of
Home Economics.
Bv j. LUDLUM LEE.
Rv j. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

oazed through the open window at tne
onnIe trees laden with gorgeous bios
SONS. She loved the place and every
stick and stone on it, 1t was hers by
right of inheritance, and she Would
leave it for no man.
True, her old nurse, Roxanna, had
fnrsaken her to become the bride OF
Abraham. the head gardener on the
adjoining estate, and it seemed as II a
landmark had been torn up by the very
roots. One must learn to part with
landmarks. so Eleanor had. promised
to 90 to Roxanna's wedding.
She jumped into the little runabout
which was waiting for her at the door.
No groom attended her, for all the
darlies on the place had been given
holiday that they, too, might attend
the wedding. She drove down the ia
miliar lane to the cabin in the woods,
where hundreds of darkies had con-
gregated. Only one other white per-
son was In sight, a tall, 1.-the youth
astride q roam horse.
Most of the colored men wore white
linen suits, Immediately clean, and
carried canes Of crooked old birch and
hickory. The women We're arrayed to
shame Solomon in all his glory. They
drew aside as the two white persons
came into their midst. Eleanor drove
up at the side of the house and de-
scended with the aid of many black
hands. The tall youth stayed on his
horse and took up q stand near the
front door. Arm in arm the bride and
groom came from the house, and under
the old apple tree at the side Of the
cabin the most famous cOlored preach
er in the south made them man and
wife. Eleanor shook the groom by the
hand and told him to guard we'll his
precious helpmate. She kissed the
black face of RoXanna, who had been
her constant attendant sir 20 babyhood.
Then, blinded by tears, she jumped
into her little runabout and started
for home
Cheers and halleluliahs rang upon
the air. Bright bandannas were flung
high, and hickory sticks wavered in
y
ent courtship RoXanna and Abraham
We're married. Eleanor turned to look
back at the happy throng, and her
horse SHE'D.
She was Il good little horseWoman
and took Il firm grip on the reins, but
too late. The horse had the bit in his
teeth and was running at terrific speed.
10
Of the road to another, Eleanor sway
ing with it. Down the road, past pink
orchards and green fields, swaying,
swaying-and then black nothing.
She opened her eyes to gaze into
those Of the youth who had attended
the wedding.
I'm Dick Ewing, your next door
neighbor," he explained as he made
her 4 bit more comfortable by propping
her up. abraham is our gardener, you
know" he continued, land I saw you
at the wedding You seem to have for
gotten me. How's your head, eh?"
Eleanor had known Dick Ewing
when she was child. The last time
they had met he had called "tomboy"
at her as she climbed over the fence
which divided the Ewing place from
the Wright plantation. Then he had
been sent to Germany at the behest Of
a wealthy uncle.
He seemed to divine her thoughts.
Il got back the other day-just in
time for the wedding" and he laughed
an infectious laugh. "But this line Of
conversation is not getting you home.
I don't know just how to do it, 1 don't
suppose there's a sober darky this side
Of the Mason and Dixon iine-all at
the wedding drinking Wright cider.
Your wagon is smashed. Oh, l say,
couldn't you sit my horse, and I'll walk
alongside? We're most there. you
know"
He inspired confidence. Eleanor gath
cred up her torn skirt and with Dicks
assistance mounted the horse. On the
way home the time was spent in ex-
plantations. He had much to tell Of
student life in Germany. Now full
fedged doctor, he had come home to
practice III the south. Her tale was
more simple, an uneventful life at
home, with Roxanna always guarding
her
Il just don't know how I'll ever get
along without her. Do you know, l
seldom even put hairpin in my hair"
said Eleanor, with a helpless, appeal
ing expression that touched Dicks
heart as if some tragedy had overtaken
her.
Don't you talk. l expect the IA
nous gardens Of the Ewing estate can
now go to rack and ruin, for Abraham
will be home making love instead Of
welding the hoe" said Dick in mas
culine attempt at sympathy.
Eleanor was safely deposited on the
front porch, with her mother almost
hysterical in gratitude to their neigh
Dor.
1 may come again, please?' he said
as he extended his hand to Eleanor.
Provided, Of course, that don't have
to take hand at the garden" he add
ed, with some sarcasm.
"Oh, do come overv' cordially assent
ed Eleanor. II shall probably be all
pinned up the back and wearing my
Hiir in a pigtail, because without RoX
anna-well, come over and see for your
self"
DICK was very busy the next day ow-
ing to the promotion Of the second man
as overseer during Abrahams honey
moon. The underservants resented his