vous twitching about her mouth, but she quietly said:

'You have come for me?'

'Yes, my child. Have courage; it will soon be over.'

She laid her head upon my shoulder for a moment; then, turning her
large, clear, but tearless eyes up to mine, she said:

'I trust in GOD!'

I took her arm in mine, and walked out to the stand. The auctioneer was
waiting for her, and we ascended the block together. A slight tremor
passed over her frame as she met the sea of upturned faces, all eagerly
gazing at her; and, putting my arm about her, I whispered:

'Do not fear. Lean on me.'

'I do not fear,' was the low reply.

'Now, gentlemen,' cried the auctioneer, in an unfeeling, business-like
way, 'I offer you the girl, Lucy Selma. She is seventeen years old; in
good health; well brought up--a superior lot every way. She has recently
been employed at cooking, but, as you see, is better adapted to lighter
work. How much shall I have for her? Come, bid fast gentlemen; we are
taking up too much time.'

Before any response could be made to this appeal, Joe stepped to the
side of Selma, and, in a slow, deliberate voice, said:

'Gentlemen, allow me a few words. This young lady is my sister. I have
always supposed--she has always supposed that she was the legitimate
child of my father. She was not. My mother bought her when she was very
young; gave her jewels--all she had--for her, and adopted her as her own
child. The law does not allow a married woman to hold separate property,
and Selma is therefore inventoried in my father's estate, and must be
sold. Rightfully she belongs to me! She has been delicately and tenderly
reared, and is totally unfitted for any of the usual work of slave
women. Her value for such purposes is very little. I shall bid a
thousand dollars for her, which is more than she is worth for any honest
use. If any man bids more, it is HIS LIFE OR MINE _before he leaves the
ground!_'

A breathless silence fell on the assemblage. It lasted for a few
moments, when Gaston called out:

'Come, Joe, this isn't fair. You've no right to interfere with the sale.
I came here prepared to go twenty-five hundred for her myself.'

In a firm but moderate tone, the young man replied:

'I intend no disrespect to you, Mr. Gaston, or to any gentleman
present; but I mean what I say. I shall stand by my words!'

'Come, youngster, none uv yer brow-beatin' yere. It woan't gwo down,'
cried a rough voice from among the audience. 'I'v