Mystery fiction; Race relations -- Fiction; Southern States -- Fiction
"I have never seen him--at least not since I was an infant, if then. My
parents left me to his care. I have spent my life in schools until six
or seven years ago, when, after graduating at Harvard and then at
Columbia college in law, I went abroad. Have never seen so much as the
picture of my uncle. I applied to him for one through his New York
lawyer once, sending a new one of myself, and he replied that he had too
much respect for art to have his taken."
"That sounds like him," and Montjoy laughed heartily. "He was a florid,
sandy-haired man, with eyes always half-closed against the light, stout
and walked somewhat heavily. He has been a famous criminal lawyer, but
for many years has not seemed to care for practice. He was a heavy
drinker, but with all that you could rely implicitly upon what he said.
He left a large property, I presume?"
"So I infer." Edward looked out of the window, but presently resumed the
conversation.
"My uncle stood well in the community, I suppose?"
"Oh, yes; we have lost a good citizen. Do you expect to make your home
with us?"
"That depends upon circumstances. Very likely I shall."
"I see! Well, sir, I trust you will. The Morgan place is a nice one and
has been closed to the young people too long."
"I am afraid they will not find me very gay." A shadow flitted over his
face, blotting out the faint smile.
The towns and villages glided away.
Edward Morgan noticed that there was little paint upon the country
houses, and that the fences were gone from the neighborhoods. And then
the sun sank below the black cloud, painting its peaks with gold, and
filling the caverns with yellow light; church spires, tall buildings and
electric-light towers filed by with solemn dignity and then stood
motionless. The journey was at an end.
"My home is six miles out," said Montjoy, "and if you will go with me I
shall be glad to have you. It is quite a ride, but anything is
preferable to the hotels."
Morgan's face lighted up quickly at this unexpected courtesy.
"Thank you," he said "but I don't mind the hotels. I have never had any
other home, sir, except boarding houses." Through his smile there fell
the little, destroying shadow. Montjoy had not expected him to accept,
but he turned now, with his winning manner.
"Well, then, I insist. We shall find a wagon waiting outside, and
to-morrow I am coming in and shall bring you back. We will have to get
acquainted some of these days, and there is nothing like making an early
start." He was already heading for the sidewalk; his company was as
sunlight and Morgan was tempted to stay in the sunlight.
"Then I shall go," he said. "You are very kind."
A four-seated vehicle stood outside and by it a little old negro, who
laughed as Montjoy rapidly approached.
"Well, Isam," he said, tossing his bag in, "how are all at home?"
"Dey's all well."
"By the way, Mr. Morgan, we shall leave your trunks, but I can supply
you with everything for a 'one-night stand.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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