The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-09-12
CHAPTER xIx-contlnued.

In an incredibly short time, consid-
ering what he had to do, the old negro
finished his task. He rose to his feet
and stood staring triumphantly at the
long stack of guns. He even permit
ted himself a low chuckle, with a
glance across the hall to the court.
Now Edith Varney, who had OBJ
served him with mingled admiration
and resentment-resentm that he
had proven false to her people, her
family; ana admiration at his clever
ness-stepped further into the room
as he finished the last musket, and, as
he started toward the lower end Of
the room to make good his escape, she
coughed slightly.
Jonas stopped and wheeled about
instantly. frightened to death, of
course but somewhat relieved when
he saw who il was who had him un-
der observation, and who had inter
rupted him. He realized at once that
It was no use to attempt to conceal
anything. and he threw himself upon
the mercy of his young mistress, and
with great adroitness, sought to enlist
her support for what he had done.
"Deys gwine to shoot him, shoot
him down lax a dog, missy" he said
in a low, pleading whisper, "an' All
couldn't bah to see 'em do dat. All
wouldn't lax to see him killed, All
wouldn't lax it noways. You won't
say muffin about dis TO- de sake OBJ old
Jonas, what always was so fond OBJ
you ebah sense you was little chile.
You see, All jes' TEX desc yeah"-he
extended his hand, full Of leaden bull
lets-an' den dey won't be no ham
cum to him whatsomebah, les'n dey
loads EN- up agin. When dey shoots,
an he ies draps down, dey'll roll him
ubah into de guttah, an be off lax
mad. Den All kin be neah by an -
he stopped, and If his face had been
full Of apprehension before, 1t now
became transformed with anxiety.
"How's he gwine to know?" he asked
"If he don't drap down, dey'll shoot
him agin, an deyll hab bullets in dem
next time. What All gwine to do,
how All gwine to tell him?"
Edith had listened to him as one in
a dream. Her face softened little. |
After ALL this negro had done this
thing for the man she-God forgive |
her-still loved
You tell him." whispered Jonas; |
"you tell him; it's de on'y way. Tell |
him to drap down. Do dis TO ole |
Jonas, honey; do 1t TO me. an Ah1l be
a slabe to you as long as All lib, no
matter what Mars Linkum does. LIS
ten" said the old man, as sudden
commotion was heard in the room
across the hall. "Dey's gwine to kill
him You do it."
Nothing could be gained by remain
ing. He had said all he could, used
every argument possible to him, and
realizing his danger he turned ana
disappeared through the back door
into the dark rear hall. There was
scraping of chairs and a trampllng OF
feet, few words heard indistinctly,
and then tae voice of the old ser
geant:
march"
Before they came into the hall,
Eonas made one last appeal. He thrust
his old black face through the por-
Eieres, his eyes rolling, his jaws work
ing.
"Fo Gawd's SEX, missy. tell him to
arap down." he whispered as he dis
appeared.
Wilfred, not waiting for the sol
Aiers. came into the room. and Caro-
line followed him.
.sWhere's mother?" asked Wilfred.
"she's gone up to Howard; think
he is dying" said Caroline. She can't
aeave him for anybody or anything
II Edith heard, she gave no sign
Mhe stood notionlesB on the other side