The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-09-21

my power, l believe 1 could at least
learn what became Of that poor young
woman-possibly find that paper and
learn where to- find the money those
poor people so sorely need; for once
some years ago, a mysterious fellow
was caught digging about their yard
But I've talked enough, Liberty.
Action! Do you know any more about
La vitte?"
mot much" replied Liberty. II be-
lieve he is often seen up the River
and sometimes down on the coast He
has his friends. and nearly everybody
else is afraid Of him. So you've
must keep dark till we get our chance
And you mustn't show your feelings
IL your face. Remember, master,
you're just young man out to see the
world. H'm-here comes Colonel
Josh. Suppose we talk to him. He
was mule-buyer in the war and may
know something about Stepho."
The door was darkened. In came
Joshua Mortimer. the man whom Miss
Lucy had piled with questions con-
cerning Drace. He bad lodged In for
a smoke, he said, when Shottle had
introduced him to his master, and 1t
was evident that it was his aim to i'm
press Drace with his military bearing.
He had not been actually In the army,
but had acquired the title of colonel
from his adventurous work of buying
mules for the Confederate government.
The Colonel took it, that Drace was
from the North.
Eyes, but some of my people were
from the South"
"Ah l congratulate you, sir. l have
match, thank you"
Drace had offered him light. He
filled his pipe with tobacco crumbs dug
out Of his breeches pocket, and, long
legs crossed, sat back to enjoy him.
self.
"Well. sir, Mr.. Drace, the war has
been ended some years and II we for
get an evil as easily as a virtue, sir, it
will soon be only dim memory. l
had enough Of It."
But you were not really in the
army, Colonel JOSH" the slave spoke
up.
The Colonel pulled at his pipe.
stretched his neck and appeared to
fish for something down in his collar.
Liberty, my duty was scouting and
the incidental picking up of mules, as
the records Of the War Department
will be pleased to exhibit, SIR"
After few minutes more CONVERSE
ton the Colonel rose. II will now 60
back to the ballroom" he declared
himself. Liberty, I came aboard to-
night with your third cousin, Miss
Lucy Sanders"
''That soi Come down, Marse Drace,
and I'll introduce you to her."
II think, sir, that she has retired"
the Colonel was quick to interpose
realizing that he had thoughtlessly sug-
gested an invasion of his own terri
tory.
mot while there Is a fiddle going"
said Shottle. Come on"
Into virgil's heart few the hope that
the slaves cousin might be the bar
baric girl with the roses; there could
be no mistaking her, after meeting her,
for in that brief gaze he had carried
away masters painting of her.
easeled in his mind. So he was quick
to hasten below with Shottle. the Colo
mel painting behind them.
Miss Lucy had just left off dancing.
No, she was not the thrilling barbar-
Ian, but Drace swallowed his disap-
pointment dry. like swamp man TAX
ing quinine. Shottle might have re-
flected that never before had his kins-
woman been so glad to see him. On
his arm she hung as she cooed, but
her eyes were on Drace, and he lis
tened, not to her words. but to the
music of her accent soft as the notes
of a dove. Like frost-bitten Shang-
hal, the Colonel stood first on one foot
and then on the other. Drace politely
asked Miss Lucy to dance with him,
and the Colonel dropped onto chair.
Shottle sat beside him.
"She takes to him like a duck to
water" said the slave. looking after
his master and his third cousin
The Colonel sighed. Liberty Shot
tle," he said, II am going to tell you
something"
"Out with It,"
at is not matter to be spoken Of
SO lightly, sir"
"An right; go ahead"
Liberty Shottle, it is this: I am
deeply in love with your cousin, and
before the dawn Of another day / shall
pop the question to her."
Pop the deucel Lend me ten dol
lars"
You shock me. sir"
''Tell you what I'll do" persisted
Shottle. LET me have ten, and I'll
make her speech in your favor that
| will kink her hair"
"Shottlew
...r =. a. urh.v,v. not INV