wmr-v IV-w 1890. p: l gVH "r1 A1 fiu( him no!'' h thundered te Furntint As the colonel put his Ler In his Decket .The looked tin run! k.iu- Mltav fttrtlrM tf reeplng 'n ftt the deer, which steed wide igepen, for the weather mas mild. J, "What de reu unnt. Winifred?" he f acTkf1. nnt iinkln.ltt-. lin liln t l..,1 vA that hard, cold tene which reminds cliil- :.5l"en l,lnv uoyBiieuw dc seen nnd net 'M heard. L "Mr. Dan rui nival Is out bender," .fit mIi! XtiVa.. ! 1 !.. - -..I I fet r-"" '-;"V 1V"W " HUHCl 1IUII1 IHlUtT rK.er -encring urews nun n suspicions (rt V.lirinci' ' TTra .. mil. tinn . .. ! ' JUT Kew the colonel vhad nlxxnjH ltvell en -comrertiiuio terms -Vitli thex humble neighbors. The.v wcrn in llirihfut nf consulting him In nny emergency, nntf K " ""- " ,, ..i... n.uUj tv uvuuii nut- jA stantinl nld in time of need, hut ulnce K-V Nicholas' obnoxious mniringe (here had BBS" been no communication hrtrrn Timrnn K& Hill and Dan Furnlvnl's fnnilly, and at IS, wiriMtnis tne coienii imd overlooked BsA them entirely. Dan Flirnival li.id been m-rillr-tlnr- el.t """i"" uc.h-wn-j mni tne colonel ll.A..t -.-tr l -it... i .,.-. ii ..&H could 1)0 "ee iinslrv i .lwiitinir-.- " t.n( jj&l rhen the Clm'stnins-ttde brought with it & no quarter ei ueci, no iiarrel or sugar, ,u iuueuug iin raisins, nnu no rat J tllrVnT. lllft nitl.. PIIIICaI if Inn l.n 1 . .. . I .. ,M4bal which huimn nature is prene te rrir unci in tue fulllllmi-ut of Individual ;rs prophecy. t$ "Daxvg-gone hit. Simanihy," Daniel ?-! ILlllI ie liia wlfi-i "riln'l t in,,., llll . . t.Vfn the colonel ain't iiuverceln' tcr claim us. P!- nohew? Dr.-if mr lirntlmr .!!. ..n' i.i. daughter, I bayl Me'n the colonel have been livin' neighbors, no lellin' hew lenjr. "u w luu t. unit iiij I uinnrn nmn nniti t .' .A nlnfl 1 1 .Kir , kill 'long of Jeb livin' In tow n, nn' ;ncljln! T.-r Desia What thar mil erlirntml Rnnf Iw. gSJilum off ter JIacen, Geergcy, ene whele iy jwir, wiiai nea neipeu, i pose, ter git 4 If her mail if (1 lir Nirt Timrnn n.,' i,u ,... ?rvs - -.....,, H ..I. ., fenstea euten Christmas fixins. $ "TlieLawd lieknc newawlmtlnin'thad riethin' ter de with Mf "M fl.ummi, lj what I ain't hankerin' tei claim kin with i' ine colonel." Kfx tioe, an i ami uesia," K-CTDUrsucd Daniel: "nn' T nln't nli (..ii WFthcy censckinses." tbtii! "I don't eco the iV.it ire t,r iikmtn' ,u Mm, onto us," said hiiwife, who felt herBelf WW crue1Iv def lauded. "Hit w arn't no w ays B&? mv fnnlf ii-lief Ttn-wi "Vl,t... I ew fault whit Retv Wlilte ceme here an' ruk her fling nt the colonel; she ain't noneo'ow kin.". "Drat Uexy -Whitel ' said Dan rurni Tal, with fervor. "Hit dean de no geed, ez I kin nee, ter drat Rexy," drawled Mrs. rurnUal. ntrH.. tt.i i.-ii ... i i V& 'jjiiii ecutT nuni Bome wuy ter Bet P? ye'tc'f up in the colonel's favvier." g "Yeu talk lak the feel ye air," rctort rctert ffe. d Daniel. "Whin-Mi I flu' )... ..,nn... fw- . - - - .iivi 11.1.1.113. 2J..""iiiii1'i nfe'fjentp1101 feIt 'ilmsclf faered of fort fert .iicr wiwn the rumor reached him that vel. inorues old man Gilbert hid Ulsap. "Ef I kin he'ji him rccevei his preiei ty," , mniei argueu, in conllUcnee with hii wlfe though he called her n feel "Btands ter reason he'll be under obliga tion tcr the man what kin de that; nn' then he'll be boun'tei seu what thar ain't no ground fur gicdge beginst me, 'long of Jeb an' his edicated daughter." 60 Dan Tumhal Kgin te make in quiries in all diroctlens, but w itheut uc ctta; the only information he received that threw- any glimmer of light en old Gllbeit'a flight waa furnished by hU hen Jwsej but this teemed te Daniel of m Tital importance tint he hastened forth with te carry it te the colonel. Unlike Rexanna White, Daniel pre ferred te uppreach Thoine Hill by the hack entrance, and at the stabie he de manded of Dublin te poe the colonel. Ihcie na net a negre en the place who would willingly name a rumir.il in the colonel's presence, but Dublin did netjefusa the errand, he simply trans ferred it te Orlffln Jim. who paed it en l Tem Quash, who appealed te hi" pandniethcr, Oier-Ann, who fe.ind in Jlissy a ready ambassador; for 3Iiss, connecting this isit with her brother Nicholas, felt a burning deslre te knew what Dan Furmval could hare te My te her father. The colonel flushed daikly when he heard Missy's announcement; Iike her, he thought this visit might refer te his en, but he did net refuecle rcceive Fin- nirai. "it jmn cenie in here " he said, with a coldness that gave 110 hint of the fire at his heart; and Miwy ran back across the yard te conduct tiie ititer te the office. When he entered Mm sit her wlf down in the doorway, "Merr.ln', tolentl," naid rurnhal, fcithaweuldbe easvnlr. "Hew's Cr fca!lhV" The colonel leturned his salutation tIIK lnrf.liii.1.... ... ;x """") rnune63, anu, as a , matter of ceurte, at.ked after riirmrHl's muy. f.e IIT1 . . r.ui . rt iijuv in uiiuuini . 1 m -iiiMvii.e.1 - ye," Furnival replied, ma tone that 10 fiected the memory of n stinted Christ- mas. "i iiearn tell, about a week past, colonel, what ele man Gilbert is misMn', long e ene e ye' mules. Pledgee my nerd, I nuver wa3 me' tuk a-buck in my life; an' I ain't credited hit none, entel las' night my son Jisse up nn tole me what was knewm ter hint; an' I thought hit meught tin ew a sorter light en the nig gtr a disappearance, un I ceme Mraight tergivoyeu the benefit. Fur, colonel, you til' me has hppn nfitflilira ... i n neighbors," Daniel proceeded, waxinc fetuuelve, as he perciicd the colonel's W KrOWlriL' intf-retl 1 !. .i...i .. D? ii iiiiuuL-u ler Es, ir te recem nappenlns Interftre Utwixt us. Mean'Samantha nln't t..n ti.. ftart"- "" uuue ' 11..4 ; it-... ... '"" "iaiieui gebiure irem thocol thecol thocel one! warned him tlint he was enturing en dangerous ground, and be checked binuelf. 'illtb ele iuau (ulbert what I teme Mr report tn. he bald, after dealing his inte.it 1.1. Fiimtl, I r "A8 I was a-Mj In, cel- inn er ine' b'prht-d in my jvrt vas c ii' h freu c 'iifcs r 4 niqr Tir i.n ' tjv II ". niHiv. . ..u.b..l...v.i. ...-. ..illffllllllnii .1 . PEiii.eKi uuuert hocnuse ..igrehad tarnished Bitch 7Wn shame, colonel, cz 1 de de- U. a cussed sharae thct bIcIi n deceitful ele nigger should plot an' plan, an' Rtcal. me'n lakly, layln' up of money jes' ter rob his owners of prepetty; nn' te, fur ele take's sake, an' belli neighbors an' all, an' liiircr no gredge betwixt us, ef you'd a mind ter commission tne I'd un un dcrtake ter track that ele hypecrlttrr from here tcr Jericho." Missy, who had rhen from the door step, pala with anger at the first sug gestion of hunting old Gilbert, new threw herself flat en thn fleer, interrupting rurniral with a scream of rnge. "We don't haverunawnysl" nliu cried. "And I ain't geln' te let nobody track my old Daddy Gilbert! He shall go If he wants tel" The angry flush in the colonel's face faded; n softer light came into his ejes: he went te Missy, sobbing en the fleer, and put his hand en her head. "Get up, Winifred," he Mild, with nn un wonted gentleness; It touched him te find that his little daughter felt as he did Inrcgaid te old Gilbert's disappear ance. ' "Let htm go!" he thundered te rurni ral, w ith a ewcep of hit arm that seemed te cmnucipale old Gilbert and the mule together. "Geed Lawd, colonel! Prepertj" gasped rurniral. "I'll hare Jiotie of jour Interference, sir," said the colonel, and turned his lack and looked out of the window, but mw nothing for the mist In his eyca. He knew old Gilbert must hae followed Nicholas. "Jest cz you'ie a mind," Bald rurniral, sulkily. 'I wish you geed day an' better jedgment." He went home and grumbled te Sa mantha: "Ef Cel. Therno dean Wat me plum euten all enerstandin', jeu kin sheet me. Yeu may lii e neighbeni w ith him year in an' year out, nn' think jeu knew ercry crack un' cranny of him, an' that'll ceme a day you'll but 30' head beglnst a corner of his darned, ciank sided natur.cz would 'stenish Zebedce. I'm cussed ef he ain't set that ele nigger an' mule froe with a wue of his linn'." "Well, he's get plenty 1110'," fiiid &a mantha, dolefully. "Whyn'thogheftomoon 'em ler Nick, rf niggers an' iiiiiUh is be plenlj? I tell je that red headed, freckle faced little savigcreus wasp of n jr.nl e' hlsn has get her linger In both his iijch, .111' she gees an' haws him, jeu belter b'llevc." "Thar ain t nobody don't gee an' haw the colonel, you beltT b'lleve," Bald Sa mantha. CHAPTER- XIX. UVBtJOUlAIUNO. When T inlv.il Imd left the ofllce Mlisy ciejil te hei father's bide. He was Btill Ma -lug out of the window, and the llrbt int matieu of lur nppieich was the touch ' her lingers upon his hand. Unliappilj, Cel, Therno was net demon rtratUu or ndeutien, especially tewaid childnn, 1,1 d just new, while he was struggling r the- mastery of his feelings, he wished te he nlone, and he shrank from her t ntli tujing eeldlj; "Ge play, Winifred; jeu Intel nipt me " Yet, c en na he Hpoke, he w as conscious of u craitig for tlfu sjmpathy expressed In the clasp of thoie amall flngeis, and instantly lie put out the band he had se brusquely withdrawn, put It out in dumb entreaty for the caicss he had re pulsed. Hut it is the fate of iiitlcent natures te be misunderstood. His in in relcrate shj ness had led him te Blight his opportunity, nnd Mlsaj'siintccnt ten derness, ence lebuffed, wai net easily te be wen anew, folio raw in hoi father's outstretched h md only a signal fei htr te retire, nnd her indignant Bpiiit ut tered Its pretest aa tihe turned and left him. t.W'-'-r - v ?-C-vJ -i I -w. S Sextrtd her tunglcii, teil Ineun lochs from her head. "I don't bpe as j ou're se mighty mm; justloekin out of the window." And across the yard went she, muttering te herself: "I nln't geiu te try no me' te iove father, and one of thcBe days I mean te find IJrer Nicholas and May w ith him always, llrcr Nicholas is glad when I held his hand." Angry and here, Missj eat her down upon the knife block under the magnolia tret. glowing gi een 111 tire wintry sun sun bbine, nnd wept for the brethei who was blessed with the genial gift of cxpussien. Cel Theme sighed, and looked the deer, and thus Becurcd against unwarned intrusion, he bat before the lire with his head in Ids hands, and gave himself up te aln rcgiets. lhs little world beemed bllpping from ids giasp. In the sum of his jevs and borrows, his btibmissixe, Inane histu hud never counted for much; his bon by that hateful uiairiage was lest te him; he w euld re member Nicholas no moie, and no x that Hern was the wife of AK'X GagH the i euld inner again be the bume 1 lera there remalneel only Missy, and her hob iddnxcn awaj I The colonel's deMte te biro bur witli him nt that meu.ei.t x ,,-, Just net strong enough te muke him willing te 1 isle a rcfubal by calling hei Kirk, mi he eonseled himself by making j Una fm iitr future Hla little daughters eeucitiun wim n prob preb lem that li.ul xexid hit beuI net iiifie quentlj of late, nnd knowing well Miss Elx Ira's inceiup'leiiev he re solved le turn tutor himself. And nexv lH.-"an an eri miserable alike ferMUsj nnd fur hti father. It lasted flxe meiitiis t the ,nj 0f tint time the colonel itbdii ated m faxer of vaca tion, thoreughlx eeininced that for n little girl 12 jeats old n xlgllant gev erness was an impci.ulxe necesj-ity, te l bought for ilili"ciiitv.iud BtK-ured at J ee t Meantime JIiw,x and thu colonel enjeted an.' June had cemeniin, but Nieliel ishad nc;t been heard from, nor had old Gilbert - -I 1 -v. -5ff2y?.Jt-V' !l 5iu had viien Flera itercourre was itl, nnd, cxcctit for titles, Ml-s Khira hid Kits net only few ind far 7,r., itit. .it nnuit iiuii'tiiuu in wen. li.lt rt Almt .t...M.f.... .. .. .11 Ai.ssy held the opinion tint she could 6t "isit her cousins loe often, and en a certain day near thetnd of June it was the nnnlrcrsiry of Nicholas' departure, though Missy made no allusion te this she Insisted upon going te Mrs. Herrj's, net only te spend the day but te remain the night. Mlsn Khlra Blghed nnd sub mitted; rhe was looking forward te that geed time coming, when the Inexorable governess should be discevc red. ToLettlonnd lies. Mrs. Herrj's two young granddaughters, Missy w aanlw aj s n welcome guest, nnd she hciself desired nothing hotter than te le "turned aloese," ns Glory-Ann phrased It, in the lumber room upstairs. Here .Missy had contrived a stage en w hlch hu personated her fa orile heroes and heroines, with I)ttle nnd Dess Herry and their little twin brothers, sometimes as audience, some times ns coadjutors. As audienee they could net be mere appreciative than Am ity, who often fled in tenor from Missy's realistie impersonations, but ns ceidju ters they w ere unquestionably mere b ills fact 01 j-. The childicu had manufactured n theatrical wardrebe and "properties," but these hail lest, their new Itj , and en this partlcuhr daj Missy was jubilant ever the disco 1 ly of 11 failed and shrunk en nankeen suit tint had been Paul Herry's the eldest grandson in jears long pist, nnd had since txcn Ijlng for gotten te ar.-U'.icxpleied closet. Amid much titlcihg and expostula tion fiem Ixitllcnnd Ilesi, Missy attired hcirdf In this suit, nnd as if buddenly endowed willi the flre of genius proceed ed te inipiovlse n drama based en the nduntuics of a lest liej-. It was already late in the nfternoen when this performance opened, and Lettie, when Bhe saw the light beginning te fade, reminded tiie protagonist that she ought te hurrj the catastrophe in 01 det te be dresfed fei tea. "Yes; 'cause Dier Paul is cemln' home this very night for bis mi cat ion; lie's remin' in the stage," piped ene of the twins. Missy had heaid this iiewb before, but at this moment it seemed te hne gained 11 painful blgullleance fei her. "De seu b'iiose I wnnt te Bee him?' Bhe cried. "And my Drer Nicholas far awnyl" . Down she sprang from the little Btage, thus bringing her porfeuiiiiieo le 1111 abrupt conclusion. Hut JIMj-'h diumi was net jet ever: befere the childicil could diine what she would de, bIiu Ind stled a pair of shtnis, and with two or thiec swift stiekes, had heiertd hei tingled, red brew 11 locks from hei head. '1 lie riotous curls fell mound her en the floei, mid she tluew dew 11 the shears and ran ran in ir fei life down the back stairs and into t'u gaidiii, hei cousins following nfte 1 , hull aiiaid, and we'ideiing what ssas te be the end of this escapade. Hut Missy eutinii them, 'I hey lest Bight of herbejend the row of quince bushes, near the fenee, and theieiqieu ubindemed thu ptitsull The deg, that had been close iiien her bids, turned bic'e, when he piw Loltle and Uess and tliotwiusiiiilengoi following, he thought the gime at nu end, ami he was net un willing te KM nnd -Mill in the bio id walk, wtnle III pl.ij mates sat upon the bench iindei the nam aibei, and willed fei MIshj'h let urn. They waited them until thn n -.scent moon brightened in the wm, ns lliestnis ciine out, and thosliadewHgnlhi redeir the gaulen, but Misj did nut utuni, nnd when the tea bell rang, theedilldiuu went bi(k te the house 111 fear and pti plexltj "Win 10 is Winlfitdf" .Mrs. Herij asked, ns thej tiled into the dining loeni. MifiH laiia, being at tint iiieiiiuit nh herbed in the petusil of the last few lines of the daj's appointed portion of Bishop Ken, had net ebsened hcrmece's abseiiee. "She's wnitln fei hei hair te grew , I iccken," said little Jee, with nn hjsteri cil gicgle, in which his brelhei and sis teis joined. "Oh, eij we 11," haul Mrs. llerrj.whe did net undeiMmid this joke; "we will net wait for a l.ii'ganl lijtle girl." "Deal! Deal!" Bight d Miss Ulvlr.i, ns Fheshut up Uishep Ktn, "I ncei will ba nway fiem home wltli tint child again, unless I have Gleij-Ann." When Biippcr was exer and Mlssj did net appear Mrs. Hen j demanded, with sisible annexaucc: "Whx does net Winifred come in?" llien Lettie told whit had happened. "Cceptfer cutting off her hair, this behavior Is nothing out of the way for Winifred," will Miss Hlvii.i, jilaeidlj. "I nexci knew wh.it tode w ith tuclm child, be I let hei nlone 1 hope she'll grew wistr ns b!ii glows eldei. I wouldn't werrj about hei.CeuMii Mjrtilln, bhe won't come until bhe cheeses." But Mis llerrx could net icsist anraxe iinenBiness, hhe suspected a deeper pur pose In Missj'h (light than ineie child's plnj , nnd she h isteued te Bend her coach man and hei dining room ley te explore the premises, while two of the women wereelisp itched te inquire among the neilibers All this mnde Jliss l'.lvira fcuddculy very ne-neus, and she began te walk the lloer' wr'EillK hei hinds, It was thaw mg near te 8 o'clock, ami Mis. lleirj wai suroche lieaid tl.e stage horn. "1 trust Miesj may netlwiun evei," she Mid te hcibelf. fei thlssveiuid the most formidable danger that could threaten the child. Ibis thought had net long occurred te hei when tlie-ie was heard a bhullluig of many feet en the back piazza, n muimur of many voices in biibdtied lament, and Larkin, thocariinge drixer, followed by exery negre en the place, came bin rj nig in, te announce helemulj "Senielhiii Is happened," mistis, pre pai' je' mm' " 'I lien the front gate was heard te slam, home one ian up the front Btcps, rushed 111 at the open deer, and Mrj. llerrj was clasped in her beloved ginntUen's strong jeiting arms. He, nt least, was F.ife Ne harm had befallen Paul, this glorious lioyefn, 011 whom her fend old exes rested with proud delight Hut this was no moment for rojeiclng. ".Something U happened, dear grand mother,' bald Paul, graxely, bcfoie he Meiepc'd te kls3 his chmoreus biethcrs ami Bisters "Something has liappeued te Winifred 'Uiernc; thex- nre bringing her in lieie." I'HAPTl.K XX. X II XT HAD IIAITK-NCI). The impure that directed Mis3j ' (light was but the culmination, undei a favor li'S H'Kgestlen, of that agenv of longing and regret which had poeCsscd her soul for 11 year past The mention of Paul Herrj b return had been like a match te a train of pewdti. MisVi) iceelxe was fired imuiillx. tiie. ej.iKtituiiitv her n :uteff Wngs te her . of sight and ta'ihe nulnce bushes. Qfln Instant, strlrln? In ,,riwiM,in bv Whieh in elntln hn 1; for here in Tallahassee. Mlesx 'O ' ..1-.0- . .....v. t.tttvn VII VIIU IUIU 10 tint-emlf Vlt..A ,.tl.u H tUn b....! i a. lamps, anu Her rear of the great, un-knoxvnxx-erld that lay outside the familiar limits of her Hfe xvas proportionately abated. Fortune favored her; thechlldren gaxe Up the pursuit, and Missy, havingcllmbcd ever the fence, ran deix u n back street, ns laughable a little flgure as ever np neared In unyciiftleiiit d clothes four elzes lew large for her; but in the gnthei Ing dusk she pissed uiibccii. Her nlm was (e overtake the Btage in which Paul Herry xvas expected and bj- boihe means le hide hercelf therein. Once away from Tallahassee, Mlssj felt Btiroef her route, for with her all raids led te Tampa. Uy dint of wandering she came nt last te the postedlce, in front of which the slage had just stepped. The sight of it thrilled her with exultation, Bhe felt herself nt list en the way te rejoin her brother. There could be no hindrance nexv, she felt sure, te her journey. She dashed nciess the street nnd reached the stagecoach unebscrxed, for nil the by standers were gathered around the post pest office, expectant of the mall. A quartet of young lads were dragging another lad from thu coach xxlth hilarious greet ing ns Missy climbed up by the hind wheel en thotippesitosldonnd established herself en ten. Ihere n tcrrlble sense of Isolation pos sessed her. alie Btretchcd herself out. face downward, nnd te keep from wail- I leg uletitl, stuffed thu skirt of her nan. I keen blouse in her mouth, loathing her cewarelice. Blither purpese gavewaj ni last. Alter nil, Bhe xx-as only pretend ing te Ik n boy; hexv could she, a peer, quuklng little girl, ever hepe te find Brer Nicholas unaided nnd alone? In despair nnd eelf contempt she began te climb dexvn xxith perilous haste; the drixer cracked his w hip, the coach gare a luicli, MIsRy lest her heldand fell, w ith n xx lid tcicini, between thu xx heels. The horses wcre checked instantly, and there xxas n rush te the Bpet xxlicncetliat frantic cry proceeded. Paul limy, w he hid started te xx-nlk home accompanied by his young friends, turned back te join the little crowd nssembled nreund Missj-, Ijmg unconscious in the sand. Ne ene iccegnUcd the child, nnda loelcer 011 had just hazarded the conject ure that the outlandish little creature must have nrrix cd en the stage, unknew n te the driver, when Larkin enme upon the BCene. "Lcmme seel" he shrieked. 'Tur de love e' heben, mawstcrs, dat chile It Maw se Jasper Theme's darter, little Mis.a Winifred Therno." 'Ihere xx.ib a murmur of Incredulitj, but Lnrkln insisted, apologetically; "Tubbe she, hit dean leek lak hit, but hlt'ose. IIukkouiBhe's in nich u ng; bIic been playlu' succuss. Lawd! Laud! Is she killed, inaxxnters?" 'Ihey lifted Ms3y from the ground anil earned her into n neighboring ding Btere, xxheie Bhoieceveied consciousness. "I'm Winifred Theme," bhe b-iid, nnd i8nytil te moxe, but fainted again. "Any bones bruk?" Larkin neked nnx nnx ieusly of the doctor bending ever her. The electer thought net; but there was prebibly be'rietis injury somewhere; nnd Larkin was 01 tiered te return nnd inform Mis. Herry. l'nul Herry hnd hardly told his grand mother what he knew of the nccident when Missy was brought in en a litter, w heie she laj, deadly pnle, xx 1th her ej es clesctl, and meaning piteeusiy Miss Hlxiia came nnd looked nt her. "Oh, "Winifred," she lamented, "whit will j our father sayr" ' IIusli!" Mrs. Herry warned her, hut Jlissy heaul and opened her eyes. "I was-trx In te find Brer Nicholas," bill) p lilted "P001 child'" Mrs. Ileiry sighed, with tears falling exei iier cheeks like rain. Miss Lax 11a ht.iggcrcd back te the sofa 111 the pirler andxxept and wrung her h mils. "home 0110 must go for the colonel," Mrs. llerrx Raid. One of Paul's j eung fi lends, who had helped te beir the litter, offered te nde le thoine Hill, nnd roiue timepist mid night Cel 'I horne ..lighted at Mrs. Hei rj ' gate. He hid iiddcn hard nnd he had ridden alone, fei he would net ulloxvthe bienth lcbs messenger xxhe bieugbt the tidings of Missj 's fall te return with him; nor was it bemucli the instinct of hospitality that made him insist upon the jeung fellow icin.iining the night nt Therno as the desue te escape nil witness of the anguish he could uet hide. He had or dered Grilfen Jim te make icatly the dotlble buggy nnd follexv iniincdiitelv I xxith Glerj-Ann.but he himself lodeeut in the night us furiously as his con hnd iiddcn away just ene jear befere. The colonel remembered this and groaned aloud; he reejcnibcied, tee, xxith a shud der his declaration that he would never again cress Mis. Herrj's threshold save in case of bome calamity; and the calam ity h id come, but net te Mrs Hcrrv Thu lights wcie etill binning 111 the pailer and in the ball, and theie xvas 1 light also in ene of the rooms upstairs. The colonel, ns he dismounted, bcanncd thoxxiudewsof that room with a fexcred tlfbrt te lend there some bign of his chilli's condition, befere he stiode 1111 the pith. His xielent lido had net Mibdued his excitement, though te the phjuici in wiie mi t him at the deer he presented the Impenetrable, distant domeauer that had rdw nj s charactei ized him; the enlj sign of f celli g he ehexxed xvas his utter in ability te frame in xxerds the questions that burned in his eyes. "1 urn of the opinion that the injuries will net necessarily proxe fntal," the doetei Bild, aud piuscd. Iho colonel bexx-ed. "But 1 imcness may be the result " An aiiurj' (lush daikeucd the colonel's face, but be heard all the doctor said in lilenee, and then, turning abruptly aw ay, went upstalis. At the deer of the room where Missy lay Mm Herix met him, "What Is the matter?" l.e demanded. "Hub net Dr Lane told you?" Mrs. Herrj said, glancing at the child 011 the bed. "One docterl" exclaimed the colonel, wrathfullx. "I will haxoallthe electers In the state I de'i't bcliove the injury will lesult in hmcnesj; I xsen't believe tmj thing of the kind." "Mj dear cousin," paid Mrs. Herry, "we must hepe for the best. Let me pixe jeu icuie eoffee after jour long night lidi? Oi a glass of xvlne?" The colonel lef used, he xxanted noth ing, he said, but le would see the child uexx lie Meed by the bedbidu nnd looked long nt Missj-. The doctor had gi 1 en an anodyne, and the lay ableep, with her hands crossed en her breast; mid her fathei, ovcrpew creel by Iho sight, turnej axvayr.nl left the room In the morning he came again. Missy had net stirred. "When will bhowake again?" he nsked, despairingly. But xx hen Missj axx eke his distress increased. She had been se little caicracil by him, 80 bi'ldem noticed except te be leprl leprl mandeil for bome childish fault, that he was the Inst person fche xvlehed new te ece. 'Del te tel geed "VI net fl I'm fnce with I "d sob- heel, ffl rte tnke thOCt) But I uel could net nnd xvel ft xx as quieted he cur hands lewn xvith hit lei te diexv that he did xx euld uch her. If si 10 the troubled leek he xx or lated te win unlles. "Wlicre hurts jeuT ,"inlfrcd?'' he nsked. Don't j en fet I Ijetter?" "Nowhere hurts," answered Missy. "And I don't feel better." The colene 1 Blghed. "Is there nnj thing you xx euld like tehaxe-r" He struggled for Bome term of endearment, but hi lips, long unused tei affectionate utter mice, reftiMi! le ft nine the words hei Bought, "Yeu bIiiII bate nnvthinz reu nsk.Winlfred," he declared, p ithctlcally. I .xilssy cleseil her cjes and did net an swer. She xx as Bilent se long that hei father thought her rislecp, and hexxns grew ing uneasy at w hat he fancied might be a fatal symptom, xxlun she suddenly opened hereje-s, nnd looked at him xxith great earnestness. ' Ne, j eti w en't," Bhe raid, "no, you xxen't." Mis. Ilcrry had just come Inte the loom te bij that the doctors wcre eloxxn elexxn fctairs, but the colonel slgued te her nel te Bpeak. "Yeu raid It once befeie," continued Missj-. "Yeu don't stick up te j out word." Te hnr ruch n ch itge brought against him, even bj a child, was an Indignity the colonel could net brook. "I am nt a less tei uudi nt md" he began sxviftly; but Mlssx's inteiriiptien made him un derstand. "I don't want nnj thing but just Brci Nicholas," oho nsseited, defiantly. "And I bet out te Hnd him lc iiise Duldv Gil bert said Mis3 Ilexv Whitn limurlit. ur.itl I Brer Nicholas wis 'incut it stirxin'; and that was what jeu told him te de. And I ain't libit seu y fei mix thing I'xe done." Iho colonel coined his face with his hands nnd stilled u gieiu. In his judg ment, it was Nicholas alene who was re spensible for Mibsy's hurt; but he wai le.nly nexx te make any conccrsien Missj might demand. "De jeu knexv where Nicholis is?" h ask. el, depernlejy, of Mrs. Herrj-, te the titter nsteqishnicnt of that lady" nnd el Mi.sy. It wustboflrstliinehohud named his bon since the night he had repudiated him. Mrs. Ileiry shook her head. "Unhap pily, I de net knew," she unsw crcd, Bitlly. Urn colonel was xx holly unpieparcd fei such nn answer. Knewing that Mrs. Ileiry had always taken Nicholas' pirt, he had felt Blue that she was in corre Bpondence with him; und angiy ns he had been in this belief, he xxns even mom angry new- te find himself mis tnken "I ncxer received a reply te any of my letters," Mis. Herry explained; "and nt last I wrote te the postmaster at 'kimpi, ft 0111 him I leaineel that Nichola Nichela xxns gene, no one knew- w heie." She forget Mis3y, and Missj- fergeit herself. "If jeu don't find him, I sh ill die!' cued the child. In het whemence she bad laised herself in the bed, but in st.intly fell back w ith a scream. ciiAPrnn xxi. A NEW 1'I.AN. pr..--Tii., I :r"'yir,. "It seems thit what yen say fi buxmd ill it itj te ceme (1 tic, Mem lice " The doctors summoned te Winlfied 1 het no's bedslde xx ere uninimetts in the opinion that shii slieu lei net boinexedfor biiine time te come; be, fei two months or mere, Cel. Theme ami MisslHvira took up their abede xxith Mis. Ilcrry. Mi ij's case excite tl unixeisal sym pathj, though 5Iissx herfclf did net make nn attractixe invalid; bIie w.13 exacting and ulf xx died te n degice that taxed the utmost pitience of all who waited upon hei, the colonel nlone excepted, xxhe, of all her attend nits xx is te Mis-y the least acceptable. Misiiiterpietmg his anxious countenance, she resented his xxatchful llessns though It xxere liitendedtorcbuke her rash escapade, and again nndagiiu bhe tepcatcd that she xxas net berry bhe bad tned te go te her brother. Yet at timet a Mi mgc, dull anguish, te xxliich she would gixe no utterance, weighed upon this ardent jeung spirit, when fei benis hlie would he in silent, hopeless coutiiuplitien of the changed life that awaited her. Pei by dint of Glory-Aim's oft lepented admonition, that if she did net keep xei still she would nexei xvalk again. Missy had come nt last te under stand xx h it xx as her deem. "It seems that xx hat you sax is bound nl Wax s toeeiuo true, Mem Bee," bhe blghed. "Don't reu remember the niclit mv father droxe Bier Nicholas away, and I nn out in the lam, jeu caul th m 1 was gum' te be nil crippled up, re I could never dance. Mem B Vs heart smote her. "Dullaw, new , iienej , hukkem you 'nu nibeis all hieli c dat' Deu'i jeu knexv ye' ele mammy jes" bcsse ter mek jeu ebej? Docter- it jjei u heip iiio'scnse ilen mes' en 11s, en' jeu jes'iuin what de six-, jeu gwan hop eHeu dat lied sprj ez 11 cricket, ceme benibxe." But 111 this pnxphccj Missj put no faith. Ljmg weaiy and lulpless upon bet bed, the pendcied luanx things 111 her siinll brain w ith a teneusiiess bej end her years striving te ptctitre te herself what life would be en crutches, she hid begun te find a sort of pleasure in making plans for such a life. It hceincd new te Missj that, since she could no longer run about at will, nnd climb tiees, and xx-aeie in the "brineii," Bhe might ns w-ell take kindly te quiet, j eung lady xxajs, nnd submit tobe educated Then efere, xx hen nt list she xx as allowed te leturn te Therno Hill, she astonished her father and her aunt l.lvir.t by the announce ment tint bhe xx euld like te hae 11 gox gex euiess "light nxxnj." The colonel, anxious te gratify hei excrx whim, and greatly icjeiceil that her disiris had taken be cemmendable1 a direction, xxrete te his aunt in Nexv Yerk, begging her geed elllccs 111 the selection of n gexcrncss much ns he xxeuM have xxntteu fei any bale of mer chandise. The colonel's aunt. Jim Lernmer, was as fixed In her opinions as the colonel was In his, and she positively declined the responsibility of selecting a gexerncss ler Minn icii inerue The colonel, bhe argued, was net jet past the prlme of ' life - w herefere bheuld she send a xx eman ' te Tlmrne Hill at the risk of bringing , e-bout a matrimonial .crisis! Hilt, as U JS. -- . Wikff vte: r. -'cjy." tiJ ri WrmSH U'? ( V III H" VrVr Ii 'in Interest in the child that bere her nic, she earnestly entreated her nephew e let her have charge of Winifred In New Yerk, xxhere she could hare the benefit of treatment by specialists andnt the same time receive the best instruc tion. ' The colonel acknew ledged the xx isdem of this plan, but he was loath te send Winlfied awny from him just yet; and while he xvas still pondering this neces sary step Christinas came round again. Te Missy this Christmas w as n grievous disappointment. She had cherished the liope that Nicholas would return nt this season, and when the day came nnd passed w Itheut hint she was Inastatoef almost frenrled distress. - "Father! Pather! Wlicre Is Brer Nich olas?" Bhe cried, pushing axvay the gifts that hud been lavished upon her. It was a question the colonel could net ansxver. "Don't j 011 ever think of him?" pleaded the little sister, xvith her slender- hands pressed against her aching heart. "I think of him nil the lime. I derj't ever forget him. Oh, father, suppese he Is hungry this Christmas daj I Her father turned upon her a face stony In its despair. "We must forget him," he said, hoarsely. "He is net le be found ler nny search of mine. Te forget is all that is left us." "Oh, xx hat does this mean?" cried Missy, xvringing her hands. "It means that he has hidden himself out of our reach," answered the colonel, gloomily. "If I wcre n man," cried Mirsy, clinch ing her small fists fiercely, "Pel search the big xverld ever." Thu colonel w as hurt that Missy should doubt he had elone hit bett, but his pride disdained te explain xvhet unax-nlling ef forts he had ruade te discover, for her sake, his beii's retreat; and Missj, ignor ant of this, felt her heart waxing ever mere nnd mero bitter against her father. She did net knexv tint she xx as miserable, becniiboef this bitterness; she thought bIie xx as mlserable only because she miss ed her brethei. Missj, hew exer, had by no means abandoned the hepe of her brother's re turn. Seme day he x euld surely ceme home, and in this confident expectation her energies leek the form of 11 fexerish munitien te impreve her mind. Brer Nicholas must net find her the iuneiant child he hid left crying te him in the rain; she must strive for the commenda tion of the beloved nbscnt brother; for him fihe studied as her strength permit ted; fer-hlui she labored at the detested piano, in a pathetic anxiety that her mind should atene for the defects of the peer littlu body, lamed in the futile ef fort te rcacli him. And nexv a gteat dread pessissed Cel. Theme, n dread lest Missy should become morbid through the indulgence of this Insistent desite te lccexcr hei brethei, nnd he BUildenlj- determined te take her nt ence te New Yerk and put her under the care of a physician, as bis aunt had lepentcdly uigeel him te de. This was in the buuuuei of 1800. Cel. Therno xxas ene of these xxhe felt sure theie would be no war; therefore, xxhcti he found, afler a few- xxeeks in New Yerk, that Winifred xxas in a fair way te improve, nnd that she could be con tent te lemnin xxith her aunt, he did net hesitate te leave hei xxhen be leturned home in October. Hiscluld, he thought, could traxel liemewatd xxith friends ut any time, 01 he could go te hei. When the lighting began the colonel, like many ethers, dechred that it x-euie' all be ever in less than sixty dajs; but as the xx ar went en an ever deepening horror he rejoiced, ex en xvlille his heart ached forthe sight of hei, that his little lame daughter bad been left in Nexv Yerk. IIe did net bce Jlissy again until the fall of ISO,1!. CHAPTER XXII. m;xs or Nicholas. Fixe j ears had added some inches te Winifred Theme's statin e, but she xvas a tinj-creature rtill, and she still xxent lame, leaning en a quaint little crutch xxith a handle of carted iverj, by help of xxhich she mexed xvith 11 giace and facil ity that mocked at pity. The hue of health was en her cheek, xxhonce the ob noxious freckles had x anlshed; her mouth no longer looked tee large fei hei face; hei gicatgraj eyes had taken a deeper coloring, a xxarmer light; the sunburned BtrcakB in hei blown hair hud disap peared; Winifred Therno had bloomed Inte a plquint, unusual beauty, and her rcij- lameness gaxe her a romantic charm. Her father's heart, ex en in the midst of the misfei tunes following the xvai, throbbed xxith n pieud joy xxhen he looked at her. She surpassed his utmost hopes this dainty cicature, all tymti, and fire, and grace. " U'h'l didn't you felhw him ?" Cel. Therno had grown te h re this little lame daughter of his xx ith n jealous and exacting devotion, but Missy's regard fei her father did net exceed the limit of a dutiful respect, and jet the marked ch mges that bhe found in him appealed strongly te her tenth rnes. IIe had been gray exei biuce Bhe could remember him, but his bait was wlute new, and theie xxere deep lines in his face and he had contracted a Btoep that gaxe him an air of feebleness but he re taiueel the same stern reticence, mid his daughtci, albeit Bhe xxns no mete afraid of him nexx than of old, bhrauk from him Mill xxlth n feel ing that was half regiet and half impa tience It xx is impossible for the colonel net te bee this, but it xxas his xxaj te suf fer in bilemi And net enh xm re the colonel and his daughter e' , I in the momentous j ears that had gene I siuee Winifred xxas last at home, but Tlmine Hill itself xx as no len0'i 1 the k.uik Mish, found, indeed, the bame heu e, tin i-amo'greumU, but half the breul 1.011 . 1 ix untilled and nianj of the iuuiili 11 face suf the negrees xxere missing "Wliat has liteome of them 'all'' bhe asked hei aunt "Ficede.111," .Miss Flxira responded, w ilh plaintive hrcx itx , glancing up from the p igcs of Bishop Ken Miss Klxira was muih les changed than Cel Therne. tlhe mil were the bame gentle, helplesu b-ek that had tempttd the,- childish tji.iuuy of In r nUjee, and she still reael Bishop Ken te the neglect e f ethei elutiii. Heiwe-ver, bhe did new lax aside the cheiishcel xol xel xol unie long enough te plxt Missy some at count of the Therno Hill blaxcs "Thex ill hit nil f . " she B lid ' the old eiks n 1 cm t d luu li s.jx , n. u beuie of tlie tut-t si -. it t t.i 1 1 r-"f '' " - tnicrs tuMera en tnarcs. uutwe ar better off than many ethers. Tm sure I don't knew hexv j ur Aunt Pauline, xxlth Tlern nnd txve Mile children, is te manage. Aleck wns killed at Chlcka mauga, you knew." And Miss Elrira xxiped hercyes. Missy, xx he had seen only the pomp of war, was just beginning te realize Its misery. "We must lire for ene another," shu cried, xx Ith generous srzapathy. "I don't knexv as te that," Miss Elvira objected, with a prudent hesitation. "Yeu knexv your Aunt Pauline likes har own way, and xxe wouldn't wish te gh up Theme Hill te her sway. Then the children with no regular nurse it wouldn't be comfortable, Winifred. I suppese they'll get en somehow, with your father te advle. Cousin MjTlllla manages vcrj-xvell xvith ene of the twins te leek after xx hat is left of her planta tion. Paul has a situation in a lnxv ofllce in Savannah and Judge Chadwick has taken the ether one of the twins in Ida office. It's lucky that Lottfe Is engaged te be married te the judge's eon. I hope Bess may make as geed a match, for It's little enough Cousin Myrtilla can de for them nexv." Winifred listened te all this In sad si Icnce; she felt tfs if she had ceme, net te the old home she used te knew, but te a strange new xx erld of sorrexv. "Why they all wanted te quit, I'm euro I don't knew the negrees, I mean," Miss Elrira continued plaintively. "Your father offered them every inducement, but they'd rather Btarre en freedom, I suppose. Daphne xx as ene of the first te go. She is in town taking in washing, end xxerking harder than exer she did in her life. I saw her last xveck, and she leeks ns if she hadn't enough te eat. Tem Quash he married Amity, you knew is a xx alter at the hotel, and Griffin Jim is a barber. I believe he cams a geed deal bj- odd jobs; yet he declines te take old Dicey, his mother, te lixe xxlth him. Dicej is helpless nexv; she can't xxalk, and bhe can't even feed herself; be Griffin Jim thinks she is bet tcr off xxith us. I'm sure we don't want Grillln Jim te take her nxxny; xxe're been used te her be long." And Miss Elvira began te xxeep afiesli. "And Mein Bee?" Missj queried, nux ieusij-. Missj- iiad been nt home Berne hours xxhen thisconxcisatieu leek place, and her hcait xxas burning te knexv xxliy Mem Bie tlid net ceme te xxclcemn her. Mibs Elx Ira xxiped iici cjes and stiffen ed heibclf. "Glory-Ann is xxith her family in texxn," she said, xvith strong indignation. "Your father tried his host te hare her staj- here. IIe built her a house nnd he offered her a cow nnd some pigs; but Cmtliy, that daughter of hers, wouldn't ngree te it. She made Glory Ann belie-; 0 that we had designs upon her." Jlissy burst into tears. "Mem Bea might have xxnited fei me," she Bobbed. "Oh, Winifred, don't cry I ' Miss Elxira entreated, xx ceping hcn,elf. "It doesn't de one' bit of geed. I de beliexe old Gil bert himself xx euld hnve left us if he hadn't gene long age." "I don't!" cried Missj-. "And ene of these days he U coming back; he is sure te come back; he pienused me." "Wiiiifinl? "What de you uiean? ' ex claimed MitsElxini, blaitled into an en ergj of emphasis meH unusual. "It xxas me sent him awnj," Winlfied declared en ultmglj , 1 ccklcss of grammar. "It xxas mexxiutu him .1 pass. And I gare him mj geld chain auil bracelets ler BieV Nicholas te linn into money. What did I c.tre for tiikets, and my brother, mj- deat , dcai brother, in need? ' "Winlfied, jeu Miicly ncxer did de that?" ciied Mis3 Elura, aghast. "Your father's gifts!" "I did moie than that," Wimfied re tut tied, xxith n proud, sad biniie. "I tiled te go te him myself." "I ti list jeu iiaxc glow 11 wiser, child," said Miss Elxiia, prmilj-. "One rarely meets nnj- letum for such sacrifices." "Oh, aunt Fhna? Don't jeu knew that loxe pijs itself in loving? It I did xx long te trj- te run axvnj,l beai my punishment a hfe long puiusliucn:; but I can't, I can't be eerrx- ler the effort I made te find my brother." "Ibis's rebellious," said Miss Elxire, reaching out hei bhra baud for Bishop Ken, ns for a talisman. "Yeu ou'it.te lesign yourself te bit less." "If he xxeie dead, jes," Bald Winifred: "but until I knew- tli it he i-, eii ad" be faltered, xxith blanching lip "Oh, -11m Elvira, did jeu nexei knew Iho might of a leve tint is btienj,ct- thin life, Btrenper than diath? It b can te me that my brethei must lix-e until I see liuu again, 01 he niu-tR.nu' luu message, even f 1 0111 the gi.ive " "Wimfied, jeu shock me!" said Miss Elxira; and immediately she took refuge 111 Bishop Ken, holding the little xxern book close te her exes as xxas her habit, end piclendingtercai, xxlnle she glanced furtixely exer its top ut hei inexpressible niece. "Winifred," sighed she te her Bclf, "is geuig te be no easier te manage nexx- than xxhtn she xxns a child." A fexv dajs latct Glerj-Ann visited Therno Hill 111 gieat Mate. Shcuriixed in a hack, the lccentlx acquired piop piep cily of GiiiHn Jim, xxhe expected te nuke a fei tunc out of the tiarehng pttb'ic Mum Bee hid grown oleic! , and she looked moie btately than exei 111 her bunday attue et black alpaca; but she forget hei age and hei digiutj , and took hei luiislinen her hip, and Bhed tears exer her. "Mx pe' little henej been geno alldcsn xeais, en' I ain't seed her no me' entel bhe xx uz plum grew cd up? Yeu am' fur fur get j e' ele m iiuiny, is j en, honey?" "Ne, I'xe fei gotten nothing," "Wini fred dccl.il cd, between tears and laugh tei. " 011 knexv hexx jeu used te tell me that I should 'bone' after this old phntatien; and it nil came true. I dieamcd about the bkiekbenj patch, and the bpiuig, and the eeupperneng arbor; and nothing exer tasted half be geed ns xeui corn iledgers nnd buttermilk." "Dullaw chile, don't talk!" "And j ou B.aid once that I should never dance," the girl lemiuded her, xx ith .1 sad little smile. ' Don't 1 ij that up begin&t me, Bliss Wimfied, nexv den t," Glory-Aun en treated. "1 tie' is, henej-, dese aln' 110 tunes tei lie elancm', xvid jour paw ngittnf l,i.ij 111 trouble, en' Maw se Aleck Gage done get hl-se'f killed in de xvah, en' .Maxxse Nick nin' nuver heeidfum" "What has become) of the rurniral, Mem Bet?' Mifsj interrupted, suddenly. "Gaw 11, henej , till en 'em!" said Glory Ann, xx ith solemnity. "De Law d is dene xxipis.1 V i-i i lean effen de face e' de yeth. Jlu I ur uv.il, bhe dene dide, natchul lak, 1 in tie res' en 'em xx uz men folks, en' de pciisheit in de xxnli." "Don't tell me any mero nbeut the xx ar! ' cnesl Missj , turning pile. "I had he-H.il they might knexv something of Brer Nicholas. Oh, JIeui Bee! Mem Bee! xx hat liasliecome of my brethcrr" "Heney, don't you tete serier 'long e' what is pas' en gawn," counseled Mem Bee. "Oh, it isn't that!" cried MiEsy, pas pas bienateiy. "It is the rage of heljilessness. "When I was a child I used te think all knowledge and power came xvith grown up j ears; but nexv I am a child no longer, and I de net knexv what te de te hive my wish I can't forget him! I must hear from him! I must! I must! Geel is geed, and surely borne day Ged will gixe my brother back te his home!" "Hush nexv, honey, en I gnandell rea.6umetliia'.'i said GIeix.Adih'.jwx.i;, ? "?, -(V ,.-s-steaBJ t.&,Z&&r&'Te-Mttm -" qhfi-iiriJfcJt,ff-jfc) - haJ
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