The Comings of Cousin Ann

illy's

plenty of space in it for Miss Ann and a reasonable amount of luggage, but not for Miss Ann and three trunks and the numerous bag

s Ann allowed herself to be listless in the presence of Billy, and Billy alone. At the sound of a step on the stairs she stiffened involuntarily. Nobody must find Ann Peyton slouching or down-hearted. It was o

," she faltered. "I-I-perhaps we may

room kase she thought you'd like it, bein' so handy to the stairs an' all, an' the windy right over the baid so's you kin lay an 'look out at the trees an' flowers-an' if there ain't a wishteria vine a comin' in the casement an' twinin' aroun' jes' like

be." There was a plaintive sug

d out what with sech a early start an' mo'n likely no sleep las' night. 60 You ain't called on ter be a botherin' yo'

ed off for the cup of tea, declaring he would be back in a moment although he well knew that a trial of will with Aunt Em'ly lay before him. Tea and toast he dete

ut no stint or savin' an' not be peckin' in between times," she hurled

e a mite er dirt. Miss Ann air plum flabbergast

sniffed the old woman. "How come she air hongr

arskin' nothin' fer myse'f, but jes' for my Miss Ann. You done won out consarnin' gues' ch

subjection of politeness by this unwelcome guest by the attitude of her white people to his mistress, but now the barriers were down and Mrs. Bucknor had openly expressed her impatience at this too-frequent visitor and had been persuaded

ed out the tea. He was glad to see that she put in an extra spoonful as that meant that he too might find some much-needed

hes washed befo' I haster begin gittin' dinner an' if I's gonter have ter be a s

n her bite," he chuckled, "an' I do hope Miss Ann ain't gonter take away her appletite for dinner by eatin' all this toa

ss Ann left half the simple feast for Billy, commanding hi

' plenty of it. These here pick-up, mid-day canned salmon lunches air bad enough for the white folks but by the time they gits ter the niggers th'ain't nothin' lef but the can. I 63 hear tell the young ladies air 'spec

wn. It makes very little difference what I we

sick? Ain't yo' tea

Hill." The old woman's voice quavered piteously. "They used to want us-everywhere. At least, if they didn't they pret

an' all. Th'ain't never a one 64 what kin hol' a can'le ter you. Don't you go ter throwin' off on my Miss Ann or you'll be havin' ol' Billy ter fight. I ain't seed nothin' in this county ter put long side er you, less'n it wa' that pretty red-headed gal what went whizzin' b

okin' one er their daughters is Mr. Jeff. He air sho growed ter a likely young man. He air certainly kind an' politeful too. Didn't he say pintedly he wa' glad ter see you?

do it. It would be fatal at this point to show weakness or truculence. She had been and intended to be always the honored guest at the various homes that she visited. The unfortunate occurrence at Cousin Betty Throckmorton's was to be ignored-forgotten. Billy was right; she must dress with care. The matter of

rs Mrs. Bucknor had put away sundry articles which she had forgotten about-remnants of cloth, old ribbons and laces and photographs. The hall room was used only when there was an overflow of guests and only transient visitors put there. F

Ann muttered, as she endeavored to make

pile on the floor. Then she pulled out the lower bureau drawers and d

reated with ignominy. I am Ann Peyton. I have always bee

her own likeness, taken at seventeen, a slender, charming girl whose expression gave one to understand that she could not be still much longer. She would have been a better subject for a motion-picture camera than the 67 invention of Daguerre. Youth looked into the eyes of

wly she raised her eyes to the mirror a

too late to be anything else now and you will go on being a fool

her of Jeff. He had prized it once but now it was thrown aside and forgotten by all. She then stooped over and gathered up the articles on the floor and carefully put them back in