The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-12-07
MaxWell's
Harvest
~@
BY CLARISSA MACKiE
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)

In the grove of cheStnutS negro Serv-
ants ran to and fro, dragging the pre-
cious family heirlooms away from the
bliStcring heat of the fire.
Mahogany aud glass and china and
| silver, pictures and carpets, formed q
miscellaneous pile representing all the
home that was left to the last of the
Maxwells.
The long drought and its consequent
lack Of water told the story to the
neighbOrs gathered about the young
master who looked with brooding eyes
| on the scene of devastation. The
nearest neighbor had galloped five
miles when the first glare of light at
midnight had declared the alarm Of
| fire.
He stood at Maxwell's elbow, pant
| ing with the exertion of his long ride,
strange look of triumph on his fat
face.
I'm sorry for you, old man." he
said with an air of heartiness. you've
certainly had the devils own luck :.
First, the failure of your cotton-then
Blue Jeans dropping dead on the track
when he was marked for winner and
lastly"
Maxwell waved an impatient hand
spare me a recitation of my afsic
tons, Seymour" he said dryly. There
isn't one item have overlooked, l as
sure you! Not even the fact that the
will off hn
mOrtgagew
SeymOur'S face settled into heavy
lines of ill-concealed satisfaction. "Oh,
| say, l wasn't thinking of that, you
know, Maxwell, although l must say
! can find use for the five thousand
dollars ! loaned your uncle. It's been
tied up in that mortgage for fifteen
years and | don't see any more show
Of its being paid of now than before
he died-though you've tried hard to
do it, I'll admit! Everything's against
you, Maxwell. Better clear out and
start anew"
John Maxwell did not reply. He was
staring straight into the heart of the
L
outer framework of the house had
crumbled in with the walls and lay a
palpitating center of white heat.
Above it arose the six dark towering
stone chimneys-unharmed by the
flames.
In the heart of the fire John saw
fair face crowned with golden hair,
and the blue eyes that looked so sadly
into his pronounced him a failure. He
groaned as he turned again to his
companion.
You're right, Seymour-I1l clear
out and start over again somewhere
else. There isn't much chance for a
Northerner in the South anyway" His
eyes drifted back to the fire now dying
down into smoldering embers.
A train Of dark figures went cease
lessly to and fro between the grove
and the cabins of the servants. Max
wells furniture would soon find hum
bier quarters.
"Cisterns empty, I suppose" ven
tured Seymour after a while.
almost dry-couldn't draw a gallon
In time to do any good. | don't know
how it started-from the kitchen fire,
probably. All l know is-this!" He
swept his hands toward the ruins of his
home and it was intercepted by the
touch of soft, cool palm.
I'm so sorry, Mr.. Maxwell" |
breathed Eleanor Lee at his side. Clad |
In riding habit and with her golden |
hair uncovered to the night wind she |
had stolen from her bed to be beside |
him in his trouble.
Eleanor! Go home at onceI" COM |
manded Seymour angrily. This is no
place for YOU"
''Tll ride back with you, stepfather,"
said Eleanor, looking down from her
saddle at his perturbed countenance
plainly visible in the glare from the
ruins. Again she turned
to the young man beside her.
'You will build again, Mr.. Maxwell"
she said decisively.
Maxwell laughed shortly. 81 cannot,
Miss Lee. This fire beggars me. Mr..
Seymour will take the land off my
hands,"
''And your" There was forced indif-
ference in her tone.
"Begin over again."
"Here?"
"No. l shall return to the North"
There ensued a long silence while
the three looked at the glowing embers
Of what had once been the finest man
sion in West Virginia.
IF there's nothing we can do to help
you, Maxwell, we better go home.
Won't you make the Hall your head
quarters until" Seymour paused
Until clear out?" Maxwells laugh !
Tas not pleasant to hear. "rhank you,
no, Seymour-Ill find a shakedown
On the plantation as long
as am here" His voice trailed husk-
lily into silence.
Seymour mounted his horse and
turned into the avenue. "Come, Flea
nor-it is beginning to rain; this esca-
pade of yours will end disastrously if
you take cold"
81 am afraid it will end disastrously
for some one" she said carelessly.
For brief instant Maxwell held her
hand in the darkness. Il may not have
H. tn N1lJ \ |