The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-02
CHAPTER TX.
The Girl Of tho Cabin

The Girl Of tho Cabin.
He saw Neb drop down before the
blazing fireplace, and curl up like a
tired dog, and observed her take the
lamp. open the door into the other
room tribe, and slip silently out OF
sight. He remembered staring vaguely
about the little room, still illumined
By the flames. only half comprehendinE
and then the reaction from his des.
perate struggle with the elements
overcame all resolution, and he drop
ped his head forward ON the table, and
lost consciousness. Her hand upon
his shoulder aroused him, startled IL
to wakefulness, yet he scarcely real
lied the situation
Il have placed food for the negro
beside him." she said quietly, and for
tho first time Keith detected the soft
blur In her speech.
You are from the South" he ex.
claimed. as though 1t was a discovery.
"Yes-and your"
my boyhood began In Virginia.
the negro was an old-time slave In
our family"
She glanced across at the black.
now sitting up and eating voraciously.
Il thought he had once been a
slave; one can easily tell that. did
not ask him to sit here because, il
you do not object, we will eat here
together. have also been almost
rs long without food. II was so lone
ly here, and-and hardly understood
my situation-snd simply could not
force myself 10 eat"
He distinguished her words clearly
enough, although she spoke low, as If
she preferred what was said between
them should not reach the ears Of the
negro, yet somehow, for the moment,
they made no adequate impression on
him. Like famished wolf he began
en- the coarse fare, and for ten min.
utes hardly lifted his head. Then his
eyes chanced to meet hers across the
narrow table, and instantly the gen.
tleman reawoke to life.
I have been q perfect BRUTE" he ac-
knowledge frankly, with no thought
except for myself. Hunger was my
master, and ask your forgiveness,
Miss Maclaire."
Her eyes smiled.
Il am so very glad to have any one
here--any one-in whom | feel even
little confdence-that nothing else
greatly matters. Can you both eat,
and listen?"
Keith nodded, his eyes full Of inter
est searching her face.
whoever l may be, Mr.. Keith. and
really that seems only OF small i'm
portance, l came to Fort Larnel seek
Ing some trace Of my only brother,
whom We last heard from there, where
he had fallen into evil companionsh.p.
On the stage trip l was fortunate
enough to form an acquaintance with
man who told me he knew where |
could meet Fred. but that the boy was
hiding because Of some trouble he
had lately gotten into, and that I
should have to proceed very carefully
so as not to lead the officers to dis
cover his whereabouts. This gentle
man was engaged in some business at
Carson City, but he employed a man
to bring me to this place, and prom
ised to get Fred. and meet me here the
following day. There must have been
some failure in the plans. for have
been here entirely alone now for three
days. 1t has been very lonesome. and
and I've been a little frightened.
Perhaps ought not to have come. and
! am not certain what kind Of a place
this Is. | was SO afraid when you
came, but | am not afraid now"
You have no need TO be-" he said
soberly, Impressed by the innocent
Candor OF the girl. and feeling thank
ful that he was present TO aid her. II
could not wrong one Of the South"
My father always told me | could
trust a Southern gentleman under any
circumstances Mr.. Hawley was from
my own state, and knew many OF our
old friends. That was why felt such
unusual confidence In him, although
he was but travelling acquaintance"
'Mr Hawley?"
"The gentleman whom met on the
stage"