"
"Merciful goodness!" cried the Major; "I certainly did. I had the
strictest commands to drive in to church for Mother Verney at eleven
o'clock. Hi, Sam, you black rascal, tell Uncle Neb I'll be right out."
"I'll tell him, Uncle," called Ruth, flying swiftly up the long hall to
the library window.
But no clear call went ringing over the snow to Uncle Neb; instead,
there was silence, broken at length by a voice that called softly in
great excitement, "Dick! Uncle Edward! do come here. Look!" she cried
as they quickly joined her. "You see, Uncle, he didn't forget!"
Smiling, the two men looked from the window. An old negro muffled in a
threadbare overcoat was plodding up the walk, his eyes scanning the
house with evident curiosity.
The Major uttered a quick exclamation and the girl wheeled about.
"Don't you see?" she cried. "He's come to-day, honest old fellow that
he is! See, Dick--"
She stopped abruptly, looking from one to the other. There was
something in the two stern faces staring beyond her at the bent negro
that struck a chill to her heart.
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