The Elbert County tribune., 1908-12-24

She picked up her shawl and folded
1t carefully. smoothing the creases
with trembling hands.
TITS wild night, Miss Elizabeth y
she said, with shudder. The storm
got into me blood. miss, and sleep j
couldn't fur thinking of them knows
who are maybe out on the sea, 10 ]
got me shawl and started fur me
brothers 'ouse to see IL e 'ad got
'ome safe and sound; but couldn't
git down the bluff, Miss Elise, the
wind being that yi'lent 1t clean druv
me back. And l stumbled. Miss Gabri.
ellie, and 'urt meself ag'inst the side
OF the 'ouse, miss. as you kin see fur
yerself. 'Ow, but it's night! God
save them out on the wide water"
Mary Anne paused for breath and
looked curiously at us.
But what are ye all In the kitchen
fur?" she inquired in more natural
way. rs it afraid ye are. too. and
come out ere to look fur me to keep
ye comp'ny?"
We told her about our fright, and
she promptly reassured US, saying she
had locked everything securely early
in the evening. but would go down and
investigate.
I'll go with you and hold the light" /"
I volunteered; but Mary Anne declined
my society more firmly than politely.
And what good would you be, Miss
Elise-jumpin' at yer shadder and
drippin' candle grease over me clean
floor? No, thank ye kindly, I'll go
alone; full well know there's nothip'
bigger than a rat down there"
1t was very pleasant to hear nsa
moving about, and when she called up
to us with a laugh that the hanging
shelf had fallen, coming down upon
the coal shovel and scuttle, we
laughed also, and felt a weight lifted
from our hearts.
Them ropes was rotten" announced
Mary Anne. laboriously ascending the
stairs. 'and it's a mercy l didn't set
the cream there to raise as usual,
which, praise be given, didn't. Don't
you worry no more, but go to bed, and
I'll make some chocolate to warm you
like, for it's very comfortin' to the
innerds on night like this"
1t was acceptable advice, and we
gladly followed it, but as we left the
kitchen l chanced to glance back and
saw Mary Anne at the cellar door.
her head bent and her whole bearing
tense and alert-much the attitude of
dog who waits an expected command
in its masters voice.
Yet when she appeared upstairs a
little later, carrying tray with three
cups of steaming chocolate, and filed
with motherly solicitude as to our COM
fort. she was merely respectable,
middle-aged servant, whose opinions
one would receive with due respect.
She had rearranged her dress, and her
manner was quite natural and COM
posed as she drew aside the curtain
and looked into the night, with COM
ment on it's wildness.
We Joined her at the window, and
as we stood looking out a beam Of
light pierced the enveloping darkness.
casting broad path across the black
water, and we could see little boat
making it's way around the point of
the island-now riding the waves gal
lantly, now tipped SO far to one side
1t seemed certain to capsize.
Our friend the searchlight," re-
marked Gabrielle, in the tone of one
who welcomes an old acquaintance,
but smothered sound as the little
boat careened dangerously caused me
to glance curiously at Mary Aanne.
She was leaning against the window
frame, and was evidently in pain, for
her face was livid and hsg breath came
in short gasps.
TITS nothing. Miss Elise" she NUT
tered. as she caught my eye. THE
dyspepsy ketches me around the cart
now and then. And to think of some
mothers son in that little cockle-shell
tonight! Come, now, get into bed
and drink your chocolate while
it's 'ot."
Il think" remarked Elizabeth, as
she slipped appreciatively, that Mr..
Benefits boat will be beaten to pieces
against our slip tonight. I wish we
could get into the boathouse for such
emergencies. You must make your
brother get us key, Mary Anne"
Yes, miss" said Mary Anne quietly.
tried to say something, but found
myself suddenly too sleepy to articu-
late, and saw Mary Anne retreat with
the empty cups as though through a
veil.
slept heavily that night, and
dreamed that Gordon Bennett made a
boathouse of our cellar in spite of
our remonstrances to the contrary. I
also had curiously vivid impression
of Mary Anne and a candle passing
and repassing my door, but when !
tried to call out and ask her what she
wanted could make no sound, and
could only struggle with the oppressed,
smothering sensation which Elizabeth
said always accompanied nightmare.
I was willing to take her word for it,
never having experienced it myself,
but I did not like 1t, and mentally re-