Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-02-05

As always "L"u atFnt troubled hi
mind, father" turned 20 Angy. bu-
Instead Of his composed and resource
ful little wife he found q scared faced
and trembling woman. Angy had sud.
denly become conscious OF the shadow
OF the green-eycd monster Augy's
loyal heart was crying out 10 her
mate Don't git the sisters daown on
yer, Abe, 'cuz then, mebhe, yewll loss
your hum But poor Angelines lips
were so sim with terror oyer the pros
pect Of the county house for her hus
band, that she could not persuade
them to speech.
Abraham. completely at sea, turned
next to her whom he had called his
guardian angel; but Blossy was rising
from her seat, a battling smile OF ex-
pectancy on her face, the rose spray
swinging in her delicate hand as If to
the measure Of some music too far
back in youth for anyone else to hear.
| Blossy had worn that expectant look
all day. She might have been delight
eddy hugging to herself a secret which
she had not shared even with the
trusted Abraham. She was gowned
In her yellow lace, the beauty aAd
grace Of which had dehed the chang
ing fashions az Blossy's remarkable
elegance Of appearance had defied the
passing of the years.
Brother Abe,"-in her heedlessnees
Of the mischief she had wrought,
Blossy seemed almost to sing-'l
never shall forget your speech as long
as | live. VIII you Excuse me now?'
She swept out Of the door, her skirts
rustling behind her.
Abe collected himself so far as t"
bow in the direction she had taken,
then with lamblike eyes OF inquiry net
the exasperated ~glances cast upon
him.
Not a sister moved or spoke. They
all sat az II glued to their chairs, In q
silence that was fast growing appalr
ing.
Abe turned his head and looked be-
hind his chair for an explanation; but
nothing met his eye, save the familiar
picture on the wall OF two white kit
tens playing in the midst OF a huge
bunch of purple lilacs.
Then there broke upon the stiffness
the Jduavering old voice Of Aunt
Nancy, from her place opposite Abe's
Mt the head OF the board. The aged
dame had her two hands clasped be-
fore her on the edge of the table,
vainly trying to steady their palsied
shaking. Her eyes, bright, piercing.
age-defying, she fixed upon the bewil-
dered Abraham with a look of deep
and sOrrOwful reproach. Her unsteady
head bobbed backward and forward
with many an accusing nod, and the
cap with its rakish pink bow bobbed
backward and forward too. Abe
watched her, fascinated, unconsciously
wondering, even in the midst Of his
disquietude. why the cap did not slide
off her bald scalp entirely. To his
a%mazement, she addressed not himself,
but Angy.
Sister Rose, yew kin leave the
room" lmplacable purpose SPOKE In
Aunt Nancy's tone. Angy started,
looked up. going first red and then
white; but she did not move. She
opened her lips to speak.
Il don't want ter hear a word from
yew, nor anybody else" sternly inter
posed Aunt Nancy. I'm old enough
ter be yer mother, Go upstairs!"
Angy's glance sought Miss Abigail.
but the matron's eyes avoided hers.
The little wife sighed, rose reluctantly,
dropped her hand doubtfully reassur.
ing on Abe's shoulder. and then went
obediently to the door.
From the threshold she looked wist,
fully back; but an imperious wave
from Aunt Nancy banished her alto.
gether, and Abe found himself alone
not with the sisters whom he loved.
but with 2S hard-visaged strangers.
CTO BE C~ONTINUED)