A Daughter of Maryland — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

rs a) aay _— A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. 91 mentioned in this house. Until the dead can lift the veil of crime from the living can more than sorrow come from the mingling of Southard and Lancier in name or fortune, in thought or deed. But our breakfast is getting cold as well as our hearts.. Let us eat in peace while we may. Heaven only “knows how soon the hand of Jove may strike.’’? | | The morning meal was eaten in an unusual silence. Major Lancier, commonly so full of boisterous life, relapsed into a quiet bordering upon moroseness Robert said noth- ing, though Aurian did not fail to notice that ever and anon he cast furtive glances toward her father... And she fell to wondering if he was really drifting away from the time-honored beliefs of the South. : ‘*T suppose preparations have been made for the funeral of Uncle Frost to-day,’’ said Robert, when the breakfast had been finished. ‘‘If you think best, major, I will speak to the overseer in regard to allowing the negroes the privilege of attending in a body.”’ ‘* Do so by all means, Robert. I think I will ride down _to Sharpsburg this forenoon. Order Sam Patch to saddle Oak as soon as he can, Mrs. Ralston.’’ - + oe Aurian, lending her assistance toward preparing for the 7 funeral, found little spare time at her command. She heard nothing during the day concerning Carroll Southard nor did she meet Esten Berners, who had not been seen at his home since early morning. What had called him away was unknown, though it was not unusual for him to be absent in that manner. Uncle Frost had been borne to his last resting-place and Aurian had left the disconsolate Aunt Debby for a walk down to the guardian beeches at the gate, when the shuffling step of S’posen Jones arrested her attention. ‘Seesawing his body and gesticulating in a most grotesque way, he approached with apparent reluc- tance, saying: ‘*T s’pec’s missus is drefful cut up *bout de doin’s ob dis < ZA Sie Se 7 Ee eRe noe ns ee COMICHOOKS.ACO 5) al mn tee aca}