face to face with such a frightened and excited expression on her
sallow, old-young features, and such a wild light in her black beady
eyes, that they regarded her with silent interest.

Judy spoke first, and her shrill monotone emphasized her excited state
of mind: "That there nigger said as how Missus Kent was a-wantin' ter
see me. Be ary one of youuns sure 'nough Missus Kent?"

The group drew apart a little, and every face was turned from Judy to
the woman sitting on the top step of the veranda with her back against
the post.

Judy went slowly toward the woman, her beady eyes fixed and staring as
though at some ghostly vision. The woman rose to her feet as Judy paused
before her.

"Be you-all Brian Kent's woman?" demanded Judy.

The excited exclamation from the company and the manner of the woman
suddenly aroused the mountain girl to a realization of what she had done
in speaking Brian Kent's name. With an expression of frightened dismay,
she turned to escape; but the group of intensely interested spectators
drew closer. Every one waited for Martha to speak.

"Yes," she said, slowly, watching the mountain girl; "I am Mrs. Brian
Kent. Do you know my husband?"

Judy's black beady eyes shifted slyly from one face to another, and her
twisted body moved uneasily.