Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1918-04-05

Of her. 1t was only Mr. Cyril Heath,
sitting on a painting and sweating
horse.
Here me, Mr.. Cyril" responded
Lucy, cheerfully, hopping down from
the fence; for Cyril was associated In
her mind with sundry nickels he had
given her, when he came to see Miss
Anne Pendleton at the 'big house."
Lucy's private opinion was that Mr..
Cyril was "a mighty pretty geneman,"
and she guessed that Miss Anne
thought so, too"
Lucy" said Mr.. Heath, u want you
TO take this letter to Miss Anne. Now.
don't lose it. I'm just leaving in
great hurry, and haven't a minute to
stay"
II don't los it-thankee, SIR" said
Lucy, as she received the letter and
a small coin in her little black paw.
Mr.. Heath galloped downward, and
Lucy hurried home.
II wonder where at Is Miss Amer"
she murmured as she peeped into the
p1AicAo. boAiC w SilI AutO tllc llDTdTN, Out
it was unoccupied save for Tar Baby.
When Lucy approached the table on
which he was enthroned he laid back
his ears and growied at her; for though
as black as coal himself, he did not
like negroes.
go long cat 1" said Lucy-"you ack
jes like some colored folks that wants
to pertend they amt niggers."
Lucy always talked to Tar Baby as
though he were human being; and. in
fact, he was something of a charac ter.
Having been brought up among dogs he
had many of the ways of dog-he
came when whistled to, scratched at
| the door to get in, and used his teeth
more than his claws. He enjoyed moth
ing so much as tearing paper. and
| when a rending noise was heard in
some dark corner, everybody knew that
Tar Baby was at work
Just as Lucy was upbraiding Tar
Baby for his unseemly pride, a furi-
GUS voice called from the direction Of
the kitchen: Lucy! You Lucy ~
Lucy wasted no time She laid the
| letter on the table and ran to answer
| her mothers summons.
| "Where bouts you ben all this
| timer" asked her mother.
| "Well-you see-you know. Miss
Anne's little blue hen with the short
legs-well, she flewed over the fence
an made off to the fel'-an' l ruined
i to cotch her-an-"
This explanation was invented nm
the spur of the moment; but Lucy's
mother dismissed it CURLY. Don
b'lieve word Of IT," she said, aimins
slap at Lucy who. skillful through
long practice. lodged it successfully
| Presently Lucy slipped away to gel
Mr.. Heath's letter; but when she went
to the library table the missive was
no longer there. She searched all ovel
the room, and then went out on the
gallery, thinking the wind might have
blown 1t away; but 1t was not to b<
found.
Now, what / gwine to dot" Luc,
asked herself. 1t was no new thin
| lpi hCt " NC ~ u oNio ape anu Sl1t uSu
ally gave herself away" by ejaculat
ing. before anyone knew that a mis-
deed had been committed. "'Clare {,
goodness, nuver done it." But TIT
was matter demanding caution ane
silence. Lucky l didn't tell MANN!
bout that letter-she'd shore wear M
out. 'Tain't likely it had money II
it-young gen'elmens wouldn't sent
! money to young ladies they's a-co'un-
, and faint no very black sin to los
letter what amt got money In II.
il Circumstances aided Lucy in ne
work Of concealment. Mrs. Pendieto
and Miss Anne were out driving, an
~. Pendleton had gone to the count
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