Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/143

 "She is very loyal to those she cares for."

"And those whom she dislikes know it."

Elisha had seen them coming from the piazza and met them at the gate. How tenderly he drew Celeste's arm within his own and what a world of devotion was pictured in his honest face. Hernando watched them go. Once Celeste looked back. He was smelling the arbutus she had given him.

Supper had been cleared when they arrived, but Margaret never forgot the "chillen" and Celeste, followed by Elisha and Hernando, went immediately to the kitchen.

Jack's health was really in such a condition as to excite apprehension, and an inherited weakness of the lungs predisposed him to pulmonary troubles. He had been preparing to enter college, but close application to study had completely broken him down, and he was obliged to give up the aim of his life, but took the disappointment philosophically and when the doctor suggested roughing it on the plains of Texas, arrangements were immediately made to follow his advice. It was now