The New era-leader. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1911-1912, 1911-09-15

He Flung Both Coat and Hat Down
With the intention Of Remaining
sound the girl looked up, seeing clear
ly the good-natured face of the negro.
"Yo' don't nebber need cry, Missus,"
he said soberly, $50 long as Massa
Jack done greed to look after yo'."
"Have-have you known him long?"
"Has l knowed him long, honey?
Ebber sence befo' de wah. Why I
done knowed Massa Jack when he
want more'n dat high. Lawd, he sho'
was . lively youngster, but mighty
good hearted to us niggers."
She hesitated to question a servant,
and yet felt she must o the
truth.
Who Is her Is he all he claims to
be-A Virginia gentleman ?"
All the loyalty and pride OF slavery
days was In Neb.
He sho' am, Missus; dar amt nuth-
in higher in oil Virginia dan de
Keiths. Dey amt got much money
sence the Yankees come down dar.
but dey's quality folks jest de same.
was done born on de Oh Co'nel's
plantation, and l reck'n dar want no
finer man ebber libed. He was done
killed In de wah. An Massa Jack he
was . captain; he rode on hossback.
an LAwdy, but he did look scrumptu,
GUS when he first got his uniform. He
done fought all through de wah. an.
dey say Ginral Lee done shook hands
wild him. an said how proud he was
ter know him. You kin sutt'nly tie to
Massa Jack. Missus."
The negro's voice had scarcely ceas-
ed when Keith came In again, closing
the door securely behind him.
"All quiet outside" he announced,
speaking with new confidence. Il
wanted to get an understanding Of the
surroundings In case of emergency"
he explained, as II In answer to the
questioning Of the brown eyes gravely
uplifted to his face. II see there is
quite . corral at the lower end of this
island, safely hidden behind the fringe
OF cottonwoods. And a log stable
back Of the house. Is the creek ford
abs both waysT 5
= think so; the man who brought
me here rode away SOUTH"
And are you going to trust your
self to my care?"
She came around the table with
hands extended. He took them into
his grasp, looking down into her eyes.
yes" she said softly. II am going
= trust you. Captain Keith"
He laughed.
Captain. hey? You must have been
talking with that black rascal there"
The swift color flooded her face. but
her hands remained imprisoned.
Il Just done toll her who de Keiths
was down In Oh Virginia. sah." burst
In Neb Indignantly. Il sho' DOM
want nobody to think go trapsin'
round wild any low white trash"
The gray eyes and the brown, gaz
ing into one another, smiled with un
derstanding.
"Oh. we'll" Keith acknowledged
genially, II cannot say I am sorr,
you know something Of my past glo
Elc0s IL WIG C8u 7 uaN0 luIuIO, IL II
some source Of pride to have Z past t
remember. But now about the pres
emit We're not much protection t.
any one, the way we're fixed, as ",
are unarmsd."
There IL q big revolver hanging II
q holster In the other ROOM" she an
swered, "and . short. sawed-off gul
Of some kind. but I don't know abou
ammunition"
May we investigated"
II Most certainly" and she threw
open the intervening door. AS tn
two stepped into the other apartment
she held the lamp In aid Of thei
search. There II the revolver on tn
wall, and the gun Is in the opposit
: corner. Isn't It strange you shout
be out in this country without arms?
Keith glanced up. the revolver "a
his hands. The radiance Of the ligh
wss s1all Aapen her face, :fsysa1tngs -
clearness 81 her skin. the dark shas
ows OF her flashes. There wal til
faintest tinge OF suspicion to the que
ton, but he answered easily.
I'VE left Carson In something OF
= hurry. I'll tell you the story tomo