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 She had planned to lead him to the seat amid the shadows of the trees near the house from which Isaac said he had watched the dance the night of the tragedy, and if possible gain both important secrets at once.

She again selected the low cut white chiffon she wore the night he had declared his love.

Maggie's keen eyes watched her dress with a care never shown before. The little black maid flashed her white teeth more than once behind her back as she observed the delicate yet sure art with which, by a touch here and there, her mistress managed to suggest with unusual daring the physical charms of her extraordinary beauty. When the task was finished and she surveyed her form in her mirror with a look of proud content, Maggie laughed:

"You sho' is trying ter kill 'im to-night!"

"Maggie, how dare you suggest such a thing!"

"De Laws a mussy, Miss Stella, I des mean dat you'se de purtiest thing in de whole worl' an' he gwine drap dead quick as he sees ye!"

"That will do, Magpie," she said severely.

"Yassum."

But in spite of her severity, the mistress smiled at the maid, and Maggie burst into a fit of laughter. When at length it subsided, she stood with wide staring worshipful eyes gazing at Stella entranced.