Gilpin observer., 1914-03-26

quavering tones Of extreme age. "Yas.
Marse. Hep yo'se'f. Come rom he
centah OBJ de yerf. dat watah. En- dah's
folks say de centah of de yerf 10 all
nah. Yo' reck'n dey's right, Mars
Chahmahs?'
Now. how the devil do you know
who 1 am, Anthony" The Judge set
down his cup on the well-curb. Il
haven't been by here for q year."
The ebony head moved slowly from
side to side. "Or Ant'ny don need
no eyes," he said. touching his hand
to his brow. He see ev'ything heah. "
The Judge beckoned to the others
and they trooped inside the paling.
I've brought some other folks with
me, Anthony: can you tell who they
are?"
The sightless look wavered over
them and the white head shook slow
ly. Don know young mars" said
the gentle voice. How many yuddahs
wild yo'? One, two? No. dom know
young mistis, eidah."
Il reckon you don't need any eyer"
Judge Chalmers laughed, as he passed
the sweet cold water to the rest. "One
of these young ladies' wants you to tell
her fortune"
The old negro dropped his head,
waving his gaunt hands restlessly.
The Judge beckon,d to Betty Page.
but she shook her head with a little
grimace and drew back.
You go, Shirley" she whispered.
and with laughing glance at the
others. Shirley came and sat down on
the lowest step.
Mad Anthony put out a wavering
hand and touched the young body.
His fingers strayed over the habit and
went up to the curling bronze under
the hat-brim. Dis de III mistis." he
muttered. "ain' afeahd OBJ OIL Ant'ny.
Dah's fiah en- she ain afeahd, en- dah's
watah en- she ain afeahd. Wondah
whut All gwine tell huh? Whut de
coloh OBJ yo' hath. honey?"
Black" put in Chilly Lusk. with q
wink at the others. BLACK as a crow
Old Anthony's hand fell back to his
knee. Young mars laugh at de Of
man." he said. but he dom know. Dat
de coloh dat buhn NAH han's-de coloh
OBJ gol'. en- eyes blue like er cat-bird's
aig. Dah's er man gwine look in dem
eyes, honey. en- gwine make 'em cry
en- cry" He raised his head sharply,
his lids shut tight, and swung his arm
toward the North. "Dah's whah he
come rom." he said, zen heah"-hia
arm veered and he pointed straight
toward the ragged hill behind them
he stay"
Lusk laughed noiselessly. He's
pointing to Damory Court" he whis-
pered to. Nancy Chalmers. the only
uninhabited place within ten miles
That's a. near ~ he often hits It, ]
fancy"
"Heah's whah he stay" repeated the
old man. Heal OBJ trouble wait heah
TO him too. honey.-heap OBJ trouble,
heah whah III mistis IN him."
Come. Anthony" said Judge Chal-
mers. laying his hand on the old mans
shoulder. That's much too mourn
full! Give her something nice to top
on with. at least!"
But Anthony paid NO heed. "Gr'et
trouble. Dah,s nah en- she ain afeahd
en- dah's watah en- she ain afeahd. En-
All sees yo' gwine ter him. honey. Ah
heah's de co'ot-house clock A-strikin' in
dc night-en yo gwine. Don wait
don walt. III mistis. er de trouble
cloud gwine kyah him erway fom 20
When de clock strike thuh
teen-when do clock strike thuh
teen" .U.
The droning voice ceased. The
gaunt form became rigid. Then he
started and turned his eyes slowly
about him. vague look Of anxiety on
his face. For q moment NO one
moved. When he spoke again It wal
once more In his gentle quaverina
voice:
"Watahf Yas. Mars. good watah
Hep yo'se'f"
The Judge set . dollar bill ON the
step and weighted It with = stone. a
the rest remounted. well, good by
Anthony he said. We're nightly
obliged"
He sprang into the saddle and the
Quartette cantered away. MY expert
ment wasn't . great success, I'm
afraid, Shirley" he said ruefully.
"Oh. think It was splendid!" cried
Nancy. DO you suppose he really be
lieves those spooky things! l declare
at the time I almost did myself. What
an odd idea-'when the clock strikes
thirteen which. Of course. It never
does"
Don't mind. Shirley" bantered
Lusk. When you see all dem trou.
bles' coming. sound the alarm and
we'll ny in body to your rescue"
They let their horses out for a
pounding gallop which pulled down
suddenly at muflied shrek from Bet
ty Pags. ~ her horse went into the
air at sight Of an automobile by the
roadside.
Nov. whose under the canopy IL
that?" exclaimed Lusk.
ssvtsa atouod s~sA oAs-r-- uI