she was busily ironing when Miss Lou again stood within the door.
The old woman's fears had been so greatly aroused that she had
insisted that Scoville should remain in the loft. "Folks 'll be
comin' en gwine all the eb'nin', en ole miss hersef mout step dis
away."

At the same time her heart ached for the young girl. At sight of the
sweet, troubled face the faithful creature just dropped into a
chair, and throwing her apron over her head, rocked back and forth,
moaning "You po' chile, you po' chile!"

"Yes, mammy," cried Miss Lou, forgetting for the moment that a
stranger was within hearing. "I'm in desperate straits, and I don't
know what to do."

The trap-door was lifted instantly, and Scoville was about to
descend.

"You mustn't do dat!" exclaimed Aun' Jinkey. "We's all in mis'ry
anuff now."

"I hope that in no sense I am the cause of it," said Scoville,
earnestly.

"Oh, no," replied Miss Lou, wiping her eyes hastily, "not directly.
Pardon me, I forgot for the moment that you were here. My trouble is
with my family, and you have nothing to do with it except as you
Yankees are coming South and making trouble of every kind."

"Well, Miss Baron," said the scout, regarding her sympathetically