Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-10-11

would you like to keep my books for
mep Take charge of the whole
shebang, lock, stock and barrel?"
The youth shifted uneasily. He
knew that the blue eyed old aristo-
crat liked him, and he hated to tell
him that within a week or two he
would be leaving the place.
"That'd be fine, Colonel" he
stammered, "but-that is, was
thinking of gc.ag away"
Away" the old man roared. Then
he snorted. Where in damnation
would you find better treatment
than you get here?" he inquired, his
already florid visage growing deep
red. Before Carl could answer, he
spoke again, and this time his voice
was softer, kinder. II sure would
like for you to stay here, Son." he
said, a strange usefulness tinging
his words. after all, I'm an old
man, and" he added significantly, I've
neither kith nor kim"
He paused to let that sink in, then
added, "Of course there are lot OF
things that you and I understand
without putting them into words
things I couldn't say to anyone else
on this whole COMPOUNDED planta-
toni"
Carl Reconsiders
Carl nodded silently. Since he had
come to the place he had conceived
a queer affection for the old man, in
spite of the fact that according to
all the tales told up North he should
hate the man, and all others born
below the Mason-Dixon line. He
found himself toying with the idea
of remaining on this beautiful, allur-
ing old plantation, then he brushed
the idea aside ruthlessly. His mother
had wanted him to be educated and
to become somebody worth while in
life, and here he was considering
doing just what she had hoped he
would escape.
"Whynt you get yourself one Of
these here wench-pardon, SON.
women, and stay with me?" the
Colonel asked again, a note Of al
most pleading creeping into his
voice.
Maybe I will, at that, Colonel"
Carl evaded. "I'll think it over" To
his relief Elmira and another wom-'
an were dragging their plump cot
kAy oty n ha tfraiehod
Hi, there, Elmiry!" the Colonel
shouted, as though he, too, had been
conscious of the tension between
himself and Carl, and how you
been, Susie? Still havin' a good
time with that no count ole man
of yours?"
The women smiled up at him, and
made flippant replies that seemed
to tickle the Colonel nightly. Wheel
ing his big horse so that it pranced
on its hind legs, he galloped away
in high spirits.
Hes sight, amt he, Susie?"
asked Elmira. Although her words
were addressed to her companion,
her bold black eyes were on Carl.
When he weighed her cotton she
found a pretext in broken shoe
string to remain behind while her
friend hurried back into the fields.
"Mistuh Carl" she said softly
when she had arisen, why you treat
me so cold like?"
do I treat you cold, Elmira?"
"You treats me colder'n a snow
storm, Mistuh Carl" she assured
him, IAN I wants to treat you warm.
| ="
"Lo, Elmira," a new voice in
truded. It was deep, rich contralto
with a thrilling quality about it that
made Carl's heart leap before he
even saw the speaker. A frown
fitted over Elmira's face.
what cha say, Toto" she re-
piled, little ungraciously. when
you get here?"
ooh, I've been here three or four
days. Resin up" she added sig
nificantly. She was regarding Carl
with obvious interest. "See you got
new weigher," she limited.
"This is Toto. Mistuh Carl" Ell
mira said. a shade of sullenness
darkening her face.
When Carl turned and faced the
| no lrvaau, OF nnro hic haunt