A Romance of the Republic

w golden edge above the horizon, she began to feel anxious. She went to the kitchen and sa

where. She jumped up and hugged and kissed me, and called me 'Dear Tulee, good Tulee.' The little darling was always mighty loving. When I went there again, her needle was sticking in h

he neighboring wood-paths and the sea-shore. When she returned, Rosa ran out with the eager inquiry, "Is she anywhere in sight?" In r

assa Gerald,"

s if she had been his own sister. But she hasn't seemed like herself lately; and this forenoon she hugged and kissed me ever so many times, and cried

was homesick for Mad

le

he meant to go there. But she couldn't find her way alone, and she k

ections. The veil of twilight descended upon the earth, and darkness followed. The two inmates of the cottage felt very miserable and helpless, as they sat there listening to every s

d Rosa; "and there is such bright moonshine we mig

to bring out Thistle, and

t enough for Floracita, but they thought it might be some

you were in Savannah," exclaimed Rosa

inquired he, in such a

spicions w

of her disappearance,

she was homesick

dn't dare to do

dn't tell Missy Rosy, 'cause I was feared it would worry her. I found this little glove of Missy

ns!" she exclaimed, "I saw a

autioned her not to fish so much for shells and sea-m

ttle darling!" implored Rosa. "Per

and then took his hat, saying

yourself, dear Ge

g. "There's things with handsomer mouths than alligators that may b

ed accidentally. That she had escaped from his persecutions by flight he could not believe; for he knew she was entirely unused to taking care of herself

e to the Welby estate. Mrs. Delano had requested the household servants not to m

Hope lingered long in her mind. "Wherever the little pet may be, she'll surely contrive to let us know," thought she. "She ain't like the poor slaves when they're carried off. She can write." Her mistress talked with her every day about the lost darling; bu

s of anger with Tom and Tulee. He was more and more absent from the cottage, and made few professions of regret for such frequent separations. Some weeks after Flora's disappearance, he announced his intention to travel in the North during the summer months. Rosabella looked up in his

nce a week," said he; "and either

ou," she

with the tenderness of former times, and sai

ll alone in the world without you? Dear Gerald, are we alway

myself in the power of those cursed creditors? It

em in Europe," she replied.

er of a quadroon?" rejoined he. "I have met with losses lately, and I can't afford to offend

have no desire to mix with the world, but it is nec

I shall always be looking forward to the delight of hearing it when I return. You must ta

aimed. "And it really seems as if the poor beast misses her. I am afraid we neglected her too much, Gerald.

a devoted sister. This is a morbid state of feeling, and you must try to drive it off. You said a little while ago that you wanted t

affectionate words soon resto

she went to meet it with a smiling face and a springing step. As he wa

anged it round her head, she remarked, "One

than anything she had ever uttered. With ready gallantry he responded alo

the lovely scenery, and the exhilaration of swift motion, restored her to a greater

et embroidered with flowers. Magnolias and oaks of magnificent growth ornamented the extensive grounds. In the rear was a cluster of negro huts. Black picaninnies were rolling about in the grass, mingling the

the piano. As she opened it, and swept her hand across the keys, he said: "It is sadl

ed out of the window on the blooming garden and spacious lawn, she said: "How pleasant it wou

e time or other, my

er. Tom and Chloe had confidentially whispered to some of them the existence of such a lady, and that Tulee said Massa married her in the West Indies; and they predicted that she would be the future mistress of Magnolia Lawn. Others gave it as their opinion, that Massa would never hide her as he did if she

of remorse. He had never seemed more enamored, not even during the first week in Nassau, when he came to claim her as his bride. Far down in the garden was an umbrageous walk, terminating in a vine-covered bow

over the smooth beach, where wave after wave leaped up and tossed its white foam-garland on the shore. The sun was sinking in a golden sea, and higher t

arlor with swimming eyes, murmuring to herself: "Poor little Floracita

nated manuscript, all glowing with purple and gold, with