Sandy

t through the dining-room window one morning. "I shouldn't be a bit surprised if it

g a cap to cover his close-cropped head. All through his illness he had been tortured by the thought th

does come here, you be sure to put on your white apron before you open the door; and for pity sake don't forget the car

de time, wid all de money de judge is got. He says to me yisterday, says he, 'Can't you 'suade yer M

e he would like me to let things go like the Meeches! The only time I ever saw Mrs. Meech work was when she swe

Sandy from the side window. "He's raking the leaves

n leaves the dishes overnight. And yet she can sit on her porch and smile

oom over the kitchen, which commanded a fine view of the neighbors. When the green book got too heavy to hold, or his eyes grew too t

cked up. The end of her gray braid hung out behind one ear, her waist hung out of her b

lutter forth in an ample suit of shiny broadcloth. For Mr. Meech was the pastor of the Hard-Shell Baptist Church in Clayton, and if his domestic economy was a matter of open gossip, there was no question concerning the fact of his learning. It had been the boast of the congregation for years that Judge Hollis was the only man in town who was smart enough to understand his

and when she came home at noon her mother always hurried to meet her and kissed her on both cheeks. Sandy had got quite i

ere comes the Nelson phaéton this minute! Melvy, get on your whit

ured Sandy, with

to Miss Rufe's grandpaw; he done lef' her all his money, she an' Mr. Carter. Poor Mr. Carter! Dey say he ain't got no lungs to speak of. Ain't no wonder he's sorter wild like. He takes after his grandp

ing doors open behind her. At the front door she paused in dismay. Before her stood the Nelsons in call

n consternation, "ef I ain't

hought that she was here under the same roof with him sent the blood bounding through his veins. He pulled himself

ion; he had hung it in every possible light to get the full benefit of its beauty; he had even in the night placed it on a chair beside the bed, so that he could put out his hand in the dark and

unt frame, and his shaven head gave him the appearance of a shorn lamb, but to Sandy the reflection was eminently satisfying. One thing only seemed to be lacking. He meditate

son phaéton rolled out of the yard. Before he had time to give way to utter despair a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon, for the phaéton stopp

ater, was an irate lady who had evidently attempted to get out backward and had taken a sudden and unexpected seat. Her countenance was a pure specimen of Gothic architecture; a massive pompadour reared itself above two

ng her and wiping the water fr

rt, ma'am!" cried Sand

ad in smiling protest, but the Goth

ess covered with mud, and my glove is

e lady was leaning

e? It is in the little

t of his search; but when his fingers touched a round, soft ball h

as taking deep whiffs wh

powder-puff!" cried Ruth, u

. "You'd better get me home," she said solemnly. "I may be internally injure

background, came promptly forward. Seizing the wheel, he m

l voice from above. "Can't you take hold of it ne

fell upon the wheel as if it had been a mortal foe; he pushed and shoved and pulled, and finally, wit

t the nearest tree and struggled with the

boy who was sick!" c

head protestingly. "It's me bellows th

haéton, and taking a piece of money

mply repay y

gry, impetuous words rushed to his lips, and he took a step forward. Then he was aware of a sudden change in the girl, who ha

ut it was not to Mrs. Nelson, who still hel

of his lady fair, but his soul knew no elation. His beautiful new armor ha