hould take three little rooms she showed
them, in one of which there was a tiny stove, upon which they could
prepare such simple food as they could provide themselves with. The
arrangement was not a luxurious one, but it proved to be peculiarly
suitable to the owners of the great De Willoughby claim.

As they had not broken fast, Tom went out to explore the neighbourhood in
search of food. He thought he remembered having seen in a side street a
little store. When he returned, after some wanderings, a wood fire was
crackling in the stove and Sheba had taken off her hat and put on a white
apron.

"Hello!" exclaimed Tom.

"I borrowed it from Miss Burford," she said. "I went down to see her. She
let us have the wood, too. Rupert made the fire."

She took the paper bags from Tom's hands and stood on tiptoe to kiss him,
smiling sweetly at his rather troubled face.

"All my life you have been doing things for me. Now it is my turn," she
said. "I have watched Mornin ever since I was born. I am going to be your
servant."

In an hour from the time they had taken possession of their quarters,
they were sitting at a little table before an open window, making a
breakfast of coffee and eggs. Sheba was presiding, and both men were
looking at her flushed cheeks adoringly.

"Is the coffee good, Uncle Tom?" she said. "Just tell me it is good."

"Well," said Tom, "for the first effort of a millionairess, I should say
it was."

CHAPTER XXV

The year before this Judge Rutherford had been sent to Congress by the
Republican Party of Hamlin County. His election had been a wildly
exciting and triumphant one. Such fiery eloquence as his supporters
displayed had rarely, if ever, been poured forth before. It was proved by
each orator that the return of the Democratic candidate would plunge the
whole country into the renewal of bloodshed and war. This catastrophe
having been avoided by the Judge's election, the nation--as represented
by Hamlin County--had settled down with prospects of peace, prosperity,
and the righting of all old grievances. The Judge bought a new and
shining valise, a new and shining suit of broadcloth, and a silk hat
equally shining and new, and went triumphantly to Washington, the sole
drawback to his exultation being that he was obliged to leave Jenny
behind him with the piano, the parlour furniture, and the children.

"But he'll hev ye thar in the White House, ef ye give him time," said an
ardent consti