The Adair County news., 1922-08-15


cord with bushy red tassel; whereat
there was a ringing that made him
spring away from 1t. A moment later
there was a knock at his door.
Did you ring, subj" asked a voice.
What that meant he did not know, and
he made no answer. The door was
opened slightly and woolly head ap-
peared.
do you want anything, subj"
"No."
'Den 1 reckon hit was anudder
bell-yassuh.' ..
The boy began putting on his own
clothes.
Outside Colonel Dale and Barbara
had strolled down the big path to the
sun-dial, the colonel telling the story
of the little Kentucky kinsman-the
little girl listening and wide-eyed.
'Is he going to live here with US,
papa?'
perhaps. You must be very nice
to him. He has lived a rude, rough
life, but 1 can see he is very sensi-
tive"
At the bend of the river there was
the flash of dripping oars, and the song
of the black Oarsmen came across the
yellow flood.
There they come!' cried Barbara.
And from his window the little Ken
tuckian saw the company coming up
the path, brave with gay clothes and
smiles and gallantries. The colonel
walked with grand lady at the head,
behind were the bellies and beaux, and
bringing up the rear was Barbara, es-
corted by aSyouth of his own age, who
carried his hat under his arm and
bore himself as haughtily as his
elders. No sooner did he see them
mounting to the porch than there was
the sound of q horn in the rear, and
lad saw a coach and four dash
through the gate and swing around
the road that encircled the great trees,
and up to the rear portico, where
there was a joyous clamor of greet
ings. Where did all those people
come from? Were they going to stay
there and would he have to be among
them? All the men were dressed alike
and not one was dressed like him.
Panic assailed him, and once more he
looked at the clothes on the bed, and
then without hesitation walked
through the hallway, and stopped on
the threshold of the front door. A
quaint figure he made there, and for
the moment the gay talk and laughter
quite ceased. The story of him al
ready had been told, and already was
sweeping from cabin to cabin to the
farthest edge of the great plantation.
No son of POwhatan could have stood
there with more dignity, and young
Harry Dale's face broke into smile
OF welcome. His father being indoors
he went forward with hand out
stretched.
81 am your cousin Harry" he said,
and taking him by the arm he led him
on the round Of presentation.
Mrs. Willoughby, may present my
cousin from KentuckyY'
"ThiS- is your cousin, Miss Katherine
Dale; another cousin, Miss Mary; and
this is your cousin Hugh"
And the young ladies greeted him
with frank, eager interest, and the
young gentlemen suddenly repressed
patronizing smiles and gave him grave
greeting, for if ever a rapier flashed
from a human head, it flashed from
the piercing black eye of that little
Kentucky backwoOdsman when his
cousin Hugh, with a rather whimsical
smile, bowed with a pOlitenesS that
was a trifle too elaborate. Mrs. Gen,
eral Willoughby guessed how the lads
heart was humping with the effort Il
conceal his embarrassment, and wheT
a tinge of color spread on each side
of his set mouth and his eyes begar
to waver uncertainty, her intuition
was quick and kind.
Barbara she asked, "have yOr
shown your cousin your ponies?"
The little girl saw her motive anC
laughed merrily:
''Why, 1 haven't had time to show
him anything. Come on, cousin"
The boy followed her down tn,
steps in his noiseless mOccasins, alOn!
a grass path between hedges of an
cient box, around an ell, and past tn,
kitchen and toward the stables. A
the gate the little girl called imperi
ously:
''Ephraim, bring one of my ponies =
! And in moment out came a stUrd.
little slave whose head was all blacl
skin, black wool and white teeth, lead
ing two creamy-white little horse
| that shook the lads composure at last
for he knew ponies as far back as HI
could remember, but he had neve
seen the like Of them. His hand al
most trembled when he ran it owe
their sleek coats, anda unconscious,
he dropped into his Indian speech ant
did not know it until the girl aske'
laughingly:
"Why, what are you saying to m!
poniesp
| And he blushed, for the little girl
artless prattling and friendliness wer,