The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-15


voice, with just the hint of asperity
IN 1t. "She must trudge out her tan.
trum f1rst think her idea was to
show that she remembered the old
place and the lane where she used to
pick blackberries. You needn't worry
about her getting cold. She's lived a
gypsy life too many years to mind
wind and wet. But it's different with
me. I'm all in shiver. Which is my
room, please?"
She was now at the head of the
stairs. Mr.. Ransom had closed his
door, but not latched it, and as she
turned to go down the hall, followed
by the chattering landlady, he swung
1t open for an instant and so caught
one full glimpse of her beloved figure.
She was dressed in long rain-coat
and had some sort of modish hat on
her head, which, in spite of it's sim
plicity, gave her a highly fashionable
air. A woman to draw all eyes, but
such a mystery to her husband! Such
mystery to all who knew her story.
or rather her actions, for no one
seemed to know her story.
Events did not halt. He heard
her give this and that order, open a
door and look in; say a word of COM
mendat1on, ask If the key was on her
side OF the partition, then shut the
door again and open another.
"Ah, this looks comfortable" she
exclaimed in great satisfaction. "Is
that my bag? Put it down, please. I'll
open 1t. Now, IL you'll leave me- a
moment alone. I'll soon be ready. But
you mustn't expect me to eat till Ami.
ira COZ es. couldn't do that. Oh.
she's a dreadful trial, Mrs. Deo; you
nave q motherly face, and can tell
you that the girl is just eatinl up my
nfe II she weren't my very self. deaf
ened by hard usage, and rendered
coarse and wilful by years of miser.
able and half.starved life, I couldn't
bear 1t, especially after what I've sac
rifced for her. I've parted with my
husband-but can't talk, can't. I
would no. have said so much IL you
hadn't looked so kind"
All this her husband heard, followed
by sob or two, quickly checked, how
ever. by high strained laugh and
the gay remark:
I'm wet enough, but she'll be drip
ping. I'm afraid she'll have to have
her supper" in her room. She got out
at the new schoolhouse and started to
come through the lane. It must be a
weltering pool. II I'm dressed In time
I'll come down and meet her at the
door Meanwhile don't wait for US;
give Mr.. Harper his supper"
Her door closed, then suddenly
opened again. IF she don't come in
ten minutes, let some one go to the
head OF the lane. But be sure it's a
careful person who won't startle her.
I've got to put on another dress, so
don't bother me. I'll hear her when
she enters her own room and will
speak to her then-if I dare; I'm not
sure that shall"
And the door shut to again, this
time with q snap Of the lock. Quiet
relgned once more in the hall save for
Mrs. Deo's muttered ordinations as
she made her laborious way down
stairs.
For five minutes, for ten minutes,
Ransom watched and listened, pass.
ing continually to and fro from door
to window. But his vigilance re-
mained unrewarded by any further
movement in the hall, or by the sight
OF an approaching figure up the road.
He began to feel odd, and was asking
himself what sort of fool-work this
was, when clatter of voices rose be-
low, followed by heavy steps on the
veranda One or two men were going
out. and as it seemed to him the land
lady too, for he heard her say just as
the door closed:
Let me on ahead; she must see
woman's kind face first, poor child, or
we shall not succeed in getting her
IN. know all about these wild ones"