The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-22
AUNT ZANE RELENTS
RY MARrnA MecULLoCH-w WILLIAMS.


looking quzzically at her niece though the question
was to her sister, Mrs. Lacy.
She had come that day for months VISIT the MS,
in two years, naturally eager to ind out ak
about everything. , ,,.
Mrs Lacy said almost stify 'Myruly don't get the
go-by at the parties the picncs--neither does
Bu sociable attention thing, and counting quite
another take it you don't call young man ma eeau
unless he hangs around whole lot OF the TINE sn
Why no." Aunt Jane began eagerly. put Msriha
interrupted her, her face vexed scarlet
Never mind about my beaux. aunty--be sure 4
don't II rye got to be thinging the boys are all
all them so we'll it doesn't seem as / could
be content with Just one"
know I've never raised a grl-but mark this-if
had raised she'd not talk no such way as that
"Myriliy right to her notions" Mrs iarcy
said noncommitta1ly, but with significant glance az
her sister AS Myrila disappeared into the kitchen
! she added In a half whisper: Don't please name
beau her" noddng toward the door, while you're
rhad s w next The rss naa to
town and safe for some hours. She was no more
IT'S all on of Len Talbot Myriliy
says SO. but her tell me They turn like
Why he stops nowhere. Won't hardly speak 70
foksnot unless they're sick or in troubie-then I'll
{ agree he's like angel from heaven y
make up tor" Aunt Jane said pursuing her lips
But dear dear, To think OF my and only niece
loving the Of murdered"
You can't call old Talbot thatyou know
he come clear at the trial" Mrs Lacy put In with
faint show OF spirit And then he died saving life
Didnt you how through the food
waters and brought all that Millet tribe o chill
dren? OF pneumonia BY it--and Old Sam Millet had
been harded down him than anybody Old sam
tried to make with Len at the funeral, but Len
couldn't his hand then. He didn't say moth
lng-nothns harsh ! mean-]ust looked the other
way And to everything offered ne had one answer;
help Since then he's just the same, stirring and
thriving. the best farmer in the district; keen
bargain but not what you'd call close: civil as can
be when he has to be, but never letting anybody get
nearer are. n arm,s-iength Not even Myriily-
We'll! If she the least kin to ME she'd have
more pride n TO give him thought" Aunt Jane In
terrupted.
Mrs Lacy sighed. 'Myrillys not forward" she
said. Your that, matter what you think.
got feed her heart just this: she made
wreath-ambrosia and white rose buds and sum-
funeral. Lots more folks sent flowers the very
they could pick In their gardens-and Len left them
oofn--and with it--down in the cold ground You
see, before the trial. while the of was in ja--
they wouldn't take bail seeing the charge was muir
der--she'd sent little nosegays 10 him whenever she
and felt sorry myself-the Talhots you know. had
held their heads so high. 1T did seem shame-their
come down"
Well All Ive got to say 1.-THE day che ups and
all like hsr-that day make my viii leaving her all
I've got" Aunt Jane announced. But II she's going
stock. my money straight to my husbands kin"
A J, NY Won't eareshes mighty indepenasnt
ever set Mrs Lacy said with little hard laugh that
went on. whatever Myrfly may or maynt do she'll
be worth dozen such AS John Mlier's slpshod
Its easy TO where she gets Of her fool
ishness Aunt Jane retorted angrily, going outside
IL soft spring day-the breaking pows
in the old grass the very meadow she had run over
many times her childhood and youth. She made
her down the lone. snuffed the ploughand odorx
gratefully, then stroed stretch Of pasture.
debating whether to stay and enjoy the orderly
fort OF the Lacy house. or go back to the spshod
neces of whom her soul was sick
She knew the pasture less than the meadow
1t the old Hicks farm its owners thrftlesxness
the face of IT, 1t soped gently upward long
from which one could gee the Talbot house and the
fields about It.
Mrs. Miller had a morbid wish to It, She made
the crest but in little dip Of tha, al par ar
sheltered her from view. In the dip she found another
recreant and nature. sucking the blood OF a
newly killed eve Her twin lambs lay little beyond
their heads bitten through. Another gasping
| At sight of human being Rob Roy first crouched
then growled bristling menaengly. But Mrs Miller
had least the virtue Of courage In wink she had
| firm grip of his collar and leading him away
from the scene of his crime.
Before got twenty yards found herself
facing Len Talbot
Il was bringing him to YOU / know these must be
your SHEEP she she, explained The Hekses never had
"Yes--they are my sheep-on my land-l bought
it last year" he answered But why didn't you let
why not ?" Mrs. Miller demanded. looking keenIy
the tall. lean-raced man she remembered a merry
lad. He bore her scrutiny well
Because" he answered. 'Myra loves him. I
wouldn't hurt her for a kingdom
You Wouldn't Humph" Mrs Miller snorted
too proud to say civil word to herr
Talbot stepped close to hef, caught her shoulder
in hard grip and said his voice shaking: Let go
| the dog. tell you. And dare mention what
YOU have Myrilla. Madam. you are cruei--
| crueler than death"
"But-not as cruel as you are" Aunt Jane per-
sisted II hate to five been making
believe I'd cut her off with a shing--but now I've
seen you--I can't do It She loves you--and don't
! much blame her. You-you don't look TO be~-any-
think but genteman--and gentlemans SON."
Then and there. In the face of scandalized birds
and to the disgust of Rob Roy. Len Talbot Rugged
| and kissed Aunt Jane heartily he did
upon the wedding day. less than month after.
Dixon and the Devil
Rev. A. c. Dixon formerly of Shelby. but pas.
tor OF the Moody church in Chicago has recently
preached that il being passed around. Ac.
oordng this recent deverance. the horns. barbed