The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-03-03
CHAPTER XIII.

Drought S01ournerS In tn
country early to town. among
them Mrs. Harris and hel
daughters. Mrs. Harris had requisi
toned Jimsy Smiths services before
she descended from the mountains
There was lot to do on their ar
rival. Would he mind attending Il
this and thst for them. and would b.
meet them? Jimsy duly attended t
this and that. met them In his ole
genial way, saw them installed In theil
home. dined with them. as per Mrs
Harris schedule-and, although thu
winter was well advanced. had nevel
been there since, except to make q
brief call at Christmas.
At each Of these visits Emma had
thrilled at sight Of him and at thu
sound Of his voice. 1t was with timid
fly that she had extended her hand t.
him. but neither by pressure OF hi
clasp nor by any sign Of manner. ex
preston or information had he givcI
Indication Of remembrance that theil
secret was known to each other. III
was the same quiet. kindly unchange
able Jimsy. BY her alone was his pro
longed absence understood. Mrs. Har
ris and Beth finally attributed II to {
reluctance to meet continually ON an
equal footing his employer. Captain
Williams, who had taken Jimsy's place
as extra member OF the family and
usurped all his prerogatives.
To Emma the captain was no longer
an object Of fear and dcteststion. She
knew that his affection was purely pa
ternal, and he knew that she under
stood him ms no one dead or livlns
ever bad o. did. She manifested heI
appreciation of his regard by . conf
dence which was to the old fellow q
comfort and huge delight. Not that
his delight took demonstrative form
that was not In his nature. and Emma
would have been greatly astonished
eculd she have known what q boon d
him her frank friendliness waA
The fact was that biz good deed "a
Emma bad been the 6rst striking ef
feet Of a softening process that bad
been going on very. very slowly. -
slowly as not to be noticeable to any
extent. for several years. which began
when be had been admitted to the
family circle Of his late general man.
ager and with which. all unconscious.
ly. Emma had had . good deal to do.
He had anchored himself TO the family
a. hts one connection with refinement
and home life. But II had been q
cautious anchoring. maintained with
distruss and carrying with Il no reci-
procity In the shape Of business Or any
other favors. A fighter who had got
nothing out Of existence without fight
ing. ever on the alert 10 forestall an
expected reacherous blow. his hand
had nown to bis hip pocket. 20 to
speak. at the slightest movement that
appeared TO him to BE- suspicious.
As time wore on, however. his dis
trust had vanished. and Mrs. Harris and
her daughters had become necessity
TO him. He was being civilized. He
preferred Emma to the others. which
Is saying that shc was the person he
liked best on earth. but his manner Of
showing II had been repeIlent because
misunderstood. In the FIRST place she
had hated him FOR his supposed injus-
tIce 60 her husband. whereas. having
read Brooks through from the start.
he despIsed him and would not help
hinf even TO make her lot easier. When
reawakened dIsfrust. battling with un-
willingness 10 believe that his high
estimate 6f her had been unmerited.
had caused him 10 try her out reIent.
Iessly on the occasion OF her appeal
for Brooks. alone with him and al
bis mercy 10 his rooms. she had seen
that a warm heart. full Of pure re.
gard for her. beat beneath his forbid.
ding exterior From that night she
had learned to respect him and Judge
him at his real value. Els sections and
idiosyncrasies received At last theil
true Interpretation.
Az for Williams. the proof that b
had not been deceived In her fortified
his faith and made him really happy
He was getting old He had won BIZ
hard fought. lifelong battle with tht
world and was ~ rscb 90 be cared d
b.. The devn was dhsposed to turn
monk. The yearning for affection. no.
demonstratise. but existent. which came
with the approach Of lies sunset sns
which vas nSt to be found eiss wh<r,
.wss svssi6ed there. He put vn slip
pers. smoked BIZ pipe. Rad his fsvosits
chair. expressed his views In nis al
shorifsfivs gay and liked TO be con
suited.
But be never ceased to b. impresse<
with the ostentstious procIivities and
arissocrxstc airs Of Mnl Harris and
Beth. though he laughed induIgentIy a
mAsy Of the mothers foibles. To hin
the two women rvprpsented the beat
monde and were authorities on all thai
pertsiped thereto. He deemed II {
privileges 10 place ons Of bis sutomo
biles st the family's exclusive com
mspd, and II was the most luxuriouI
vehicle money could buy. That be az
not give It outright was because b
knew their circumstances would MOI
enable them to maintain II