Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-12-05
CHAPTER II-Continued


hood and patted her hair more prop
erly into place before a mirror hang
ing on the wall Henri knew how fast
her heart was tripping as he took her
hands and held them for a moment
and saw a mist of tears behind her
lashes. 1t had been two years since
she had seen Hepsibah, two years OF
yearning and praying and hoping for
this irresponsible brother, the last Of
her close blood ties, who came AMI
went with the Inconsistency Of the winds
and yet had never succeeded in spoil
ing her dream of having him some day
as a permanent member of her little
family. Each time he came to them,
Hepsibah was full Of promise, swear
ing upon his soul that he had made up
his mind to remain with them forever.
as Catherine pleaded with him to do;
and then, some day or night, he would
disappear with all his belongings, and
no one would see or hear him go, and
1t might be six months, or year, or,
as In this instance, even longer before
he returned. ready to promise and
swear upon his soul all over again
but sure to steal away in the end as
before.
Each time that he came, he bore
huge pack on his shoulders, as If
partly in penance, and the opening Of
this pack and the distributing of its
contents had come to be the biggest
event in Jeems' life, and also in his
mothers in slightly less degree. But
Jeems had no trespassing thought Of
the never-failing bundle as he went
back for his gun in the company of
his beloved Uncle Hep. At the most
providential Of moments, his hero Of
all heroes was at his side, ard secur-
ing this mighty personage's pledge of
secrecy he lost no time in telling him
about the boy he hated. Marking the
grip Of Jeems' hand, and catching the
telltale tremble in his voice, Hepsibah
sat down upon the bag of ground corn
and did not leave 1t until by shrewd
questioning and sympathetic interest
he had drawn from Jeems' heart a
large part of what it had withheld
from his parents. At second loud
blowing of Henri's dinner horn they
rose to their feet. and as Hepsibah
shouldered the corn, his round red
face was like full moon of promise
and cheer.
at doesn't take size to win a fight,
Jeemsy," he said, speaking in a con-
fdential way. Barring this Dutch
man at Albany, I've never been rib
roasted by big man yet, and I'm only
tolerable sized, you observe. I've al
ways had reasonable preference for
the big ones, come as come can, for
they are slower to move and fall harder,
and nine out Of ten of them carry fat.
This Paul Tache, now-I know by your
telling of him that you can cob and
comb him until he begs for mercy.
It's all what you've got your mind
made up to, Jeemsy-nothing more
and nothing less, And you've got
your mind made up to warm him, so
go and do it, 1 say"
Catherine came around the corner
Of the cabin to meet the plotters, and
Hepsibah discreetly held back further
words as he winked broadly at Jeems.
1t was the great night of two long
years in the Bulain cabin, and Cath.
crimes three Betty lamps and her
Phoebe lamp and q dozen candles as
well were lighted in honor of it, so
that when darkness fell thick and
starless about the wilderness, with
masses of rain clouds gathering over
head, the home at the edge of For
hidden valley was bright with glow
and cheer. The roast was cut open,
and with attendant dishes Of sukqut-
tahhash, johnnycake, potatoes, and
carrots, and hasty pudding with maple
strip, gave opportunity for such feast
ing that an hour was well gone before
Hepsibah Adams thrust back his end
of the long table bench and brought
forth his fat pack from under the
stairs which led up to Jeems' Sleep
ing loft.
AUST a few little trinkets,r he be-
gan, using the identical words he had
employed one year after another. "a
few whim-whams and baubles for the
boy, bit Of trumpery for Sister. and
a farthing worth of nothing in par
ticular for you, Henri. All, here we
have the first package, with writing on
1t In the hand of the scholar who sold
me the goods-a cap, ruffle, tucker,
and bolt of lace at five shillings a
yard Now who in this room can such
stiles be for-unless-" and at Cath
crimes delighted exclamation he tossed
the bundle to her But scarce had she
opened it, with her eyes intent upon
her business, then Hepsibah unfurled
a red silk petticoat in the candle glow
and this time Catherine sprang to her
feet with an amazed intake of breath
for so well had Hepsibah arranged his
surprise that, one after another. he
had a white love-hood, a black love.
hood. and three more petticoats on the
table--one of scarlet with black lace
one of coIored drugget with pointed
lace, and a third of black silk with
ash-gray lining; and as Catherine
stood gazing upon these treasures fl