The Detroit times., 1913-11-05
cHAPTER xi.
(Conti0ueril


(continued.)
Suddenly ne lifted his eyes. Above
| the desk hung life-sfze portrait OF
man. I'm the high soft stock and vel
vet collar of half century before
The right eye, strangely, had beei
cut from the canvas. He stood
straight aud tall, one hand holding
an eager hound in leash, his face
proud and fiorid, his single. cold
steeI-blue eye staring down through
its dusty curtain with certain ma
licious arrogance, and his lips set IL
sardonic curve that seemed about
TO sheer Ii was for an instant as II
the pictured figure confronted the
young man who stood there. mutely
challenging his entrance into thai
tomb-like and secret-keeping quiet
and he gazed back as fixedly. repealed
by the craft OF the face, yet subtly
attracted. Il wonder who you were.
he said. You were cruel Perhaps
you were wicked. But you were
strong. too"
He returned to the outer hall to
find that the Negro had carried in his
trunk, and he babe him place II. with
the portmanteau, in the room he mad
Just left. Dusk was falling. The all
was full OF faint far chirr OF night
insects. like an elm serenade, and
here and there amongst the trees
pulsed the greenish-yellow spark OF
FREELY.
Uncle Jefferson" said Valiant alb
rubtly, have you a family"
mo. sub. Jes' me en- nah oil 90
man"
Can she cook"
Cook" The genial litter again
captured his dusky escort. when
she got de fixens, All reck'n she ds
beaten es cook In dis heah county
How much do you earn, driving
that hack
Uncle Jefferson ruminated. We'll
sub, pens on de weddah. mighty
lucky sometimes dis yeah eff All KIN
pay he groc'ry man..
HOW would you both Hike TO live
here with me for while? She could
cook and You could take care Of me-
Uncle JefReSson's eyes seemed to
turn inward with mingled surprise
and introspocfion. Ha ahtfted from
ona- foot to the okher. swallowed dill
ficultly several times, and said. An
ain nebbah seed yo' befo', sun
We'll, haven't seen you either.
have H."
pats de trufe. sub, deed it is!
Hyuh, hyuh! whut All means ter
saw IN dat de OF CONAN kahn cook
no fancy didoes like what dey eats
up MORT. She kin jes' cook de Fergi-
ney STYLE
That sounds good to me-" Quotn
Valiant. "rll risk 1t. Now az 10
wages"
"Ah ain specticulous as ter de
wages said Uncle JEFFERSON. An
knows or gemman when All sees one.
sides. ter-days Friday en- cts bail
luck. All sho' Is troubled In man
min wheddah we-all kin suit yo' per.
pensities, but All reck'n we kin take
er try ef yo' kin"
Then it's q bargain" responded
Valiant with alacrity. Can you come
at once!'
"Yas. sub. me en- Daph gwineter
come ovah fus' thing In de mawnin :
Whit yo-all gwineter do TO yo' sup
pahT
-.Tll get along" Valiant assured
him cheerfuIly. Here Is five dollars.
You can buy some food and things 70
cook with, and bring them with you.
DO You think there's stove IN the
Kitchen
"Ah reck'n." replied Uncle Jener
son. En- ef dar ain Daph kin COOK
err Chris-mus dinnah wild TO stones
en- err tin skillet. Vas, subj
He trudged away into the shadows.
but presently. as the new master OF
Damory Court stood In the gloomy
hall. he heard the shambling step
again behind him All done negiec-
tuated ter ak yo' name. sub All did'
TO- or fac" -,
my name is Valiant. John va
liant"
Uncle Jefferson's eyes turned up
ward and rolled out OF orbit. MAJ
Lawd," he calculated soundiessly.
And with his wide lips still frameu
about the last word. he backed out OF
the doorway and disappeared.