The Washington herald., 1911-08-11
CHAPTER IX-Continued.


Perhaps thirty or forty slaves were
employed about the Tallwoods home
farm, as 1t was called. They did their
work much as they liked, in a way not
grudging for the main part. Idle and
shiftless, relying on the frequent abb
sence of the master and the ease OF
gaining a living, they worked no more
than was necessary to keep up a SEM
blance of routine. In some way the
acres got plowed and reaped, in some
way the meats were cured, in some way
the animals were fed and the table was
served and the rooms kept in semi
tidiness, none too scrupulous. Always
in Tallwoods there was something at
hand ready to eat, and there was fuel
whereby fires might be made. Such as
1t was, the hospitality of the place was
ready. 1t was a rich, loose way of life,
and went on laZily and loosely, like the
fashion of some roomy old vehicle, not
quite run down, but advancing now
and then with a groan or creak at
tasks imposed.
But now, another and most important
matter for our note-there was no
woman's hand at Tallwoods. The care
was that of servants, of slaves. When
things grew insupportable in their
shiftlessness the master lashed out an
order<and got what he demanded; then
soon matters sank back again to their
old state. None might tell when the
master would ride away, and when
gone none could say when he would re-
turn. Since the death of his mother no
woman's control had ruled here, nor, in
spite of the busy tongues at the larger
cities above, did there seem any likeli-
hood that any would soon share or alter
the fortunes of Tallwoods. Rumors
fioated here and there, tongues wagged
but Tallwoods lay apart; and Tall
woods, as commonly was conceded, had
ways of its own.
1t was to these remote and somewhat
singular surroundings that there ap-
preached on the evening of bland
autumn day, along the winding road
which followed the little stream. the
great coach of the master of Tallwoods.
drawn by four blooded carriage horses.
weary, ud-stained, and f1ecked with
foam. At the end of the valley, where
the road emerged from its hidden
course among the cliffs, the carriage
now halted. Dunwody himself sprang
down from the drivers seat where he
had been riding in order to give the
occupants OF the coach more room He
approached the window, hat in hand.
My dear lady" said he, this Is the
end OF our journey. fonder Is my
home. Will you not look at it?''
1t was a pale and languid face which
greeted him, the face of woman weary
and even now in tears. Hastily she
sought to conceal these evidences of
her distress. 1t was the first time he
had seen her weeping. Hitherto her
courage had kept her cold and defiant.
else hot and full of reproofs. The spec
tacle gave him concern. His face took
on a troubled frown.
Come now. do not weep, my dear girl
anything but that"
What. then. is 1t you would say?" she
demanded 1T makes little difference
to me where you are taking me-"
He threw open the coach door and ex-
tended hand to aid her in alighting
Suppose We walk up from here" he
said. II know you are tired by the ride.
Besides" he added. with pride, IT want
TO show you Tallwoods,
Scarce touching his hand. she stepped
down. Dunwody motioned to the driver
to advance. and IN spite OF the protests
of the maid Jeanne thus left alone with
in. the coach rolled on up the driveway
ahead Of them.
II was IN fact a beautiful prospect
which lay before the travellers thus ar