The Washington herald., 1911-08-12

self inscrutahle as the Sphinx. II she
commented mentally on the droop of the
young womans mouth and eyes, at least
she said nothing. II was not her place to
ask what white folk did, or why. She
took up the travelling bags and led the
way up the narrow stairway which made
out of the central hall.
Sally" said Josephine, turning, when
they reached the stairway, where's my
own maid-the other-Jeanne
II dunno, ma'am," said Sally. II reck-
on she's all right, though. Dis heah's
yuah room. ma am, If you please" She
shuffied ahead into a tall and wide room,
which overlooked the lawn and the ap-
preaching road.
Once alone, Josephine flung herself
face downward upon the bed and burst
into a storm of tears, her fine courage for
once outworn. She wept until utterly
spent. Sally, after leaving the room, had
returned unnoticed, and when at last
Josephine turned about she saw the old
woman standing there. A hard hand gen.
tly edged under her heaving shoulder.
"Thah now. honey, doan' cry! God
A Almighty, girl, doan' cry dat-a-way.
What is wrong? Tell me-" Sympathy
even of this sort was balm to woman
wholly unnerved. Josephine found her
head on the old negro woman's shoulder.
Now you jus lay right quiet, ma'am, -
went on Sally. Use gwine to git you
little something warm to drink and some
thing to eat right soon. and den Use
gwine to put you-all to bed nice and
clean, and in de mawnin' you'll feel like
you was anotheh lady, you. suttinly will,
, ma am
who are your" demanded Josephine.
turning to look into the old and wrinkled
face.
Use just Sally"
n 10
on" commented Josephine, bitterly.
"Dis amt no prison, a'am. Use
bin heah a long time mong desc
triflin' niggahs. Dis amt no prisum
but God knows, ma'am. we needs lady
heah to run things. Is you come foh
dat?"
mo, no." said Josephine. I'm JUSTIN
JUSTIN going away as soon as 1 can:
"Sho now! Huc'cum you heah, ma am?
ut was a mistake"
'T didn't know white folks evan done
nothin' they didn't want to do com.
mented Sally. But doan' you mind. Ell
you wants me, jes' call for Sally.
Tell me, Sally, isn't there any Mrs
Dunwody herer' demanded Josephine
suddenly.
The face Of the old woman remained in
scrutable. and Josephine could see no sign
except that a sort of film crossed her
eyes, as lnOuSu Ncihh6 SSiiiS
thought.
EFF dey was. I doan' reckon you-all
would have come heah, would you? Now
you lay down and git conf table. Doan
you worry none. ma'am. You gwine De
fine, by mawnin'. You suttinly Is right
handsome lady, ma'am"'
The old woman shuffied from the room,
to join her master at the foot OF the
stairs.
Where is she, Sally?" demanded Dun
woody, "and how is she?''
She's right tired, sub" said sally non
committally And then, Mighty fine
lookin' lady, sub. An she is a lady!
hue cum her here. Marse Warv'l? What
you-all-''
What did she say to your
'Nothin' 'cept she's gwine git away
right soon. White folkes business amt
none o. my business
well, never you mind about all that.
Sally. Now listen. It's your business
to keep her there. in that room. When
she wants anything, get It, But don't
you talk to her. you understand. reckon
you do understand, don't you?"
,"I reckon does. suh."
"Well. ali right then. II she goes TO
walk. keep her In sight. She doesn't
send out letters to any one, and doesn't
talk to strangers. do you understandg'
II reckon does. yuh."
Old Sally stood looking at him for .