The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-16

Oh, don It know what it was, Aunt
Debby,' Elba said, clinging to the old
woman's neck I was so frightened.
4 never had such feelings in my life.
Just as though strange things were about
to happen, and strange hands about to
grasp me. I tried to call you, and
couldn u. Then I hid my face hoping
the feeling would pass away, but It in
creased, and was forced to look again.
When I saw those great black eyes, gaz-
ing at me, was SO frightened, 1
screamed. = She pointed to the bed,
where the stranger had raised herself to
her elbow, and was watching Elba, and
the colored woman with big wondering
eyes, which did look weird glittering in
the thin colorless face.
g 1t was terrible, but it has passed
now. I was tired, and weak, and tho
stiffness, Of the room, and the weird call
of the night birds, and insects made me
nervous. When I saw the strange eyes,
felt for moment as if would 90
mad. 1t was silly. I I'm not afraid now"
Jes' SO, jes so, honey, Aunt Deb
by said soothingly, 1T amt de night
birds, an it amt de stiffness, it's de
sperits NV dem whuts fetchin de news
Min whut Debby tells you, 70 dis time
mex week, you done hear sumpin whut II
change yo' whole life. Sumpin good, ur
sumpin bad. Debby ain t lib sixty year,
not ter know de signs. Didn't Simon
hear de sperits whispun in de pines, dat
time 10 yo' paw diedi Chile, dar 3
good sperits, an dar's bad sperits,
an,
The old woman's dissertation upon
the supernatural was interrupted by her
mistress, again pointing to the stranger
who was watching them curiously, and
qucstioningly.
Who are yous" she asked when the
two women went and stood by the bed.
The voice and accent betrayed her ra-
tionality. Only the French creole can
render the most commonplace words mus
ical.
eve are friends" Elba took one Of
the girls hands, and gently pushed her
back en- the pillow. "Ana now, who are
you7' she asked smiling.
"I7o in a slow, uncertain tone, a.
though not quite sure Of her own iden-
tity. "Why, I'm Lurette Devigney. Pc
title Lura, GuaT,.y calls me. Ihe girls
face lighted up, and lovely rose leaf
color came to the oval cheek. HDear
Guardy, where is hea Oh, remember,
now, excitement creeping into her
voice. We were on the boat, Elise and
and the boat caught fire. Guardy was
not with us. Where is Elises"
"She was taken on board the steamer
that went to your rescue, I presume, :"
Elba thought it wise not to tell the girl,
the probable truth, that Elise, who ever
she might be, had been lost. "Who is
Elise7''
She is my maid. Guardy calls her
N.Y. nurse lilo says I'm nothing but q
child, but really, I'm eighteen. Do ]
look itf" She pushed the dark damp hair
back from her brow, and little ripping
laugh, like gurgiing water echoed
through the room.
Elba thought she had never seen .
face SO elfish, almost uncanny, yet
strangely magnetic, and interesting.
"Fo' Gawd, she don't look lax live
folks, dnr,s sumpin ongawdly bout
he, Aunt Debby walked away, and
stood with open mouth staring at the
stranger.
"who are youi'' the girl repeated,
"tell me please She looked earncstl,
curiously, at Mrs Sanders.
"Did not tell you we were friendsf'
Again Elba smiled.
But your namea I've seen you be
fore, where was it,"