"* Her old massa (Manly) had gib leaf to go
see Miss Tilly, and hadn't said nuffin about no "orders."
* i. e., patrols,--a civic home-guard in the South that kept
surveillance of slaves.
More annoyed than he cared to confess, Brant briefly dismissed her with
a warning. As he cantered down the slope the view of the distant pickets
recalled the window in the wing, and he turned in his saddle to look at
it. There it was--the largest and most dominant window in that part of
the building--and within it, a distinct and vivid object almost filling
the opening, was the vase of flowers, which he had a few hours ago
removed, RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION! He smiled. The hurried
entrance and consternation of Miss Faulkner were now fully explained.
He had interrupted some impassioned message, perhaps even countermanded
some affectionate rendezvous beyond the lines. And it seemed to settle
the fact that it was she who had done the signaling! But would not this
also make her cognizant of the taking of the dispatch-box? He reflected,
however, that the room was apparently occupied by the mulatto woman--he
remembered the calico dresses and turban on the bed--and it was possible
that Miss Faulkner had only visited it for the purpose of signaling
to her lover.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130