"
"Why!" exclaimed Mrs. Baron, "it seems but a little while ago that
Chunk was working quietly in the garden."
"En I reckon hit ain't much more'n two hours gone sence I seed 'im
comin' out o' the cabin, lazin' and eatin' hoe-cake," added Perkins
as he started angrily to obey his orders.
"He had mischief in his mind, though, now I think of it." resumed
Mrs. Baron, "for he seemed startled when he saw me, and tried to
edge away to the cabin. I thought he was afraid I would catch his
granny smoking instead of doing urgent work. Louise, you were in the
cabin at the time. Why should Chunk be so anxious to get there
before I did?"
"I have not spoken to him this afternoon, and know nothing of his
movements except what I have heard," replied the girl, coldly.
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Whately, "what troublous times we've
fallen upon!"
In the silence which followed they heard the gallop of a horse. A
moment later a negro came running up and exclaiming, "Dat sojer in
de stable des saddle he hoss en put out ez ef de debil wuz arter
'im!"
Miss Lou smiled bitterly as she thought, "He evidently doesn't think
it wise to wait for my protector.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118