turned Dolf. "Any question ob yours it is my
delight to answer, only propose it."

"I does, plainly enough. What's marster gwine to have done to dat ar ole
tree?"

"Hab de airth dug up," said Dolf, deeming it wiser to use a more simple
phraseology; "he's 'feared it's dying."

Mellen was about to order them away from that part of the house--the
veriest trifle irritated him now--when Clorinda's next words made him
pause.

"I wish he'd hev it dug up by the roots," she said; "I do 'lieve dat ar
tree is haunted."

"Haunted!" screamed Dolf, who possessed a large share of the
superstition of his race. "Now what does yer mean, Miss Clorindy?"

"Jes' what I ses," replied she sharply; "I ain't one ob de kind dat
tittervates up my words till dey haint got no sense left."

"But I never heerd of a haunted tree," said Dolf, gaining new courage as
he remembered that it was broad daylight. "Haunted houses I've heerd on
in plenty; but a tree----"

"Oh, mebby yer don't know eberything yet!" said Clo, viciously.

Clo had been rather short with her lover of late, having interrupted
several private flirtations of Victoria, with the faithless one.

"Do tell me what yer mean, Clorindy," pleaded Dolf, his eyes fairly
started out of his head with curiosity.

"Oh, mebby you'd better go to Vic," she retorted, "she's a heap cuter
dan what I be. I ain't coffee-colored, I'se only a nigger."

"Now, Miss Clorindy!" cried Dolf, understanding that this was an
occasion when flattery and soft words were absolutely necessary. "You
know I'se ales in for de genuine article."

"Don't know nothin' ob de sort," said Clo. "I kint flirty and flighty
about like some folks; but, anyhow, I ain't fool enough to put all my
wages on my back. I guess marster cud tell what I've got in de bank."

That allusion to her golden charms drove the youthful graces of Victoria
quite out of Dolf's head. He grew more tender and submissive at once.

"Yer's de pearl ob de creation!" he cried enthusiastically.

Mellen stamped his foot passionately, furious with their nonsense,
upbraiding himself that he could listen to the conversation of his own
servants, yet unable to move away without hearing the revelation which
Clorinda evidently had to make.

After a little more persuasive eloquence which began to restore
Clorinda's good-humor, Dolf said:

"But do tell me what yer means 'bout de tree?"

"No," said Clorinda, mysteriously; "it's one ob dem tings as is best no