Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-08
CHAPTER VIII.

Il h ug WIS aCluA4A1 gone II heelu-
H ed 10 her that she could never
III laugh again She had been too
young TO realize the inevitableness OF
death when it came to her mother.
and now she could scarcely believe
that Toby would never. never come
back TO her. She felt that she must
be able 20 drag him back: that she
could not so ON without him. she
wanted 10 tell him how grateful she
was for ell his care OF her. She
thought OF the thousand little things
that she might have done for him. she
longed 10 recall every impatient word
10 him. His gentle. reproachful eyes
were always haunting her. You must
come back. Toby" she cried. You
mustr'
II was only when body and mind had
worn themselves ont with yearninc
that a numbncss az last crept over her.
and out OF this grew n gradual con
seriousness Of things about her and
returning sense IL her obligation to
Others. she tried TO answer in her
old, smiling way and 20 keep her mind
upon what they were saying instead
OF letting IL wander away 20 the past
Douglas and Mandy were 0verjoyed
10 see the color creeping back 20 her
checks
she Joined the pastor again In his
visits 90 the poor. The women OF the
town would often see them passing
and would either whisper TO each
other. shrug their shoulders or lift
their eyebrows with smiling insinua-
lions. but Polly and the pastor were
too much absorbed In each other to
take much notice OF what was going
on about them.
They had not gone for their walk
today because Mandy had needed Polly
20 help make ready for the social 70 be
held In the Sunday school room 10
night
Early In the afternoon Polly had
seen Douglas shut himself up In the
study. and she was sure that he was
writing, so when the village children
stopped I'm on the way from school for
Mandy's new made cookies she used
her customary trick to get them away
Tag: you're itr' she cried and then
dashed out the back door. pursued ny
the laughing. screaming youngsters
Mandy followed the children 10 the
porch and stood looking after them as
the mad little band scurried about the
back yard. darted IN and out cmong
the trees, then up the side OF the wood
ed hiIl, Just beyond the church
The leaves once more were red and
yellow on the trees. but today the air
WIS warm and the children were wear
ing their summer dresses. Poily's 1.-THE
giriish figure looked almost tall by
comparison with the children about
her. She wore a plain. simple gown OF
white. which Mandy had helped her to
make. II had been cut ankle length.
for Polly was now seventeen. Her
quaint old fashioned manner, her seri-
Gus eyes and her trick OF knotting her
heavy brown hair low on her neck
made her seem older.
Mandy waited until the children had
disappeared over the hill. then began
busting about. looking for The step
ladder which Hasty had left Under the
vines OF the porch. 1t had been busy
day at the parsonage. A social always
meant perturbation for Mandy. She
called sharply TO Hasty as he came
down the path which made n short cut
20 the village
''So's youse back, is yo'?" she asked
sarcastically
''Sure rs back" answered Hasty
good naturally as he sank upon an
empty box that had held some things
for the social and pretended to wipe
the perspiratlon from his forehead.
-Massa John done send yo' to de
postofice two hours ago." said Mandy
as she took he letters and papers from
his hand. Five minutes is plenty OBJ
time for any Niger TO do dat job"
Il done been detained" Hasty
drawled.
''Youse always 'tained when dar's
any work a-goin' on" Mandy snapped
ut him.
''whRr's Miss PolyY' Hasty asked,
ignoring Mandy's reference to work.
"Nebber yo' mind bout Miss Polly.
She don't want 20. Jes' yo' done
fetch that stepladder into de Sunday
school room"
But wants her." Hasty insisted.
IT'S been on very 'ticular business
what she ought 10 know bout"
"Businessf" she repeated. What
kind OBJ businessT
II got to fix de Sunday school room"
said Hasty as he perceived her grow
Ing curiosity.
You come beab. niggerr' Mandy
called. determined that none OF the
village doings should escape her. "Out'
wild itr'
We'll. it's bout de circus" Hasty
answered. seating himself again or the
box. 'Dey's shown in Wakefield to-
night. an next month days comm
here"
: dat same circus what Miss Pol.