The Mena weekly star., 1909-07-29

ped. The whites of his eyes were great. ly in evidence.
 "Can't you understands I propose to buy the picture, and pay you one hun. drcd dollars for it'
 The speakers brow contracted. His tonc and manner were impatient. The old mans surprise confirmed what req. con had been clamoring to impress upon him, that he was about to commit great folly.
 No matter what our weaknesses are nor how kocnly we realize them, we never like to Do reminded of them, even indirectly. The person who, from pol Icy, or lack of interest, or any motive whatever, tries to reconcile us to our shortcomings, Is looked upon with far moro favor than the real friend who, to save us future trouble, holds up before us past errors.
 "You understand, wish to buy the picture and pay you for it."
 The speaker laid one hand on the pict- ure, and gave the old man look that said, "decidc quick"
 "Marster, Is you jokin'i L."
 "Perhaps this will convince you. '' Drawing from his pocket book, the stranger counted out soversl crisp new bills and laid them on the negro 8 knee.
 "Well, Gawd save usi Whnt you gwinter do wid dc pictcr9"
 "That 5 none of your business, 80 you get the money You would not have questioned Monsieur, of the heathenish name.'
 "Does you mean I wusn't gwinter az Monsher Brentanno whut he gwiiter do wid dc picters Ain I done tole you he wuz ter glib UT writin' promisin not ter 'zibit it in dis countryf"
 "so you did. We'll, I'll give you the writing"
 The young man's good nature asserted itself. Laughing, he drew from his pocket writing material, and proceeded to draw up the all important document, agreeing not to exhibit the picture in any public place in this or any other country.
 "Thcrel guess that is binding. With flourish, ho appended tho name, Hugh Brent,
 "I'm not much of lawyer, but l think that will defy any flaw picking, although not sworn to before a notary, He folded the paper, and handed it to the negro. With an air of propNetor- ship he laid his hand on tho picture His heart throbbed with keen pleas ure. just touched with uneasiness
 ssI ain't axed you fur dis writin !, please member sah, but I I'll keep 1t beins you gib 1t ter mo an beins Miss Elba ain't saw you Oar won't neber bc no trouble bout dis III transacohum, cage you's CT gcnei'man an Miss Elba E CT Car lya. lessen her husband mout 'ject to CT man habin his wife's pictnr, an wanter deem t some time
 With surpfise, almost horror, on his face the young man gased at the old married" Tho speahcr B tone was harsh, The new born pleasure, tn his breast gave place to dull pain. He vas dis appointed but could not tell why
 s'Caze she aint."
 "But you spoke of her husband.
 "Whuts gwinter be- Aint I don' tole you she gwinter marry one uv dt riches men in Nawleans, soons 1 gil back home. Sho' I done tolo you, an you furgit." "
 s'Perhaps. v
 The speaker eyed the old negro curious ly, wondering if he had been duped. Had the grief oyer the injured picture beer assumed as part of the game the old man was playing. Somehow, he felt that he had been imposed on, and de frauded, yet why should hot He had all he had bargaincd and paid for, g picture and nothing moro
 ''sold, perhaps, but not defraudcd. havo all that paid for.
 He smiled grimly, and said to the nc gro, "Be careful of your money. We will land before morning. l may not see you agailA My best wishes go with you and the original of tho picture Good bye.
 "Good bye. Gawd blees you, sah. v
 To the fading light that struggled through the one small window of his state room, tho young man held the picture for moment before packing it away for transportation.
 Was it the ghostly rays of the moon slowly coming up out of the water apparently playing fantastic tricksl The man was not superstitious. Was healthy as a young horse If he had a nerve, had never before thought of 1t, but he actually started, and cold chill crept over him as he looked in the eyes on the canvas. Setting tho picture aside,