m standing at the window, listening.

"What is it, dear?" she asked.

"Nothing."

"Then why are you standing there?"

"I thought I heard something."

"In the house?" she asked, rising up with sudden alarm.

"No. Over in town, or rather over by the railroad track. I noticed
some tramp-fires along there."

"Oh, well, don't worry. The watchman will look after them."

"Hush," he said, leaning from the window. "There it is again."

"I don't hear anything," she declared. "Why, it's only a negro
singing."

"So it is," he said. "I thought it was someone yelling over in town.
Are you sure that it was a negro singing?"

"Oh, I don't know whether he is a negro or not, but it is someone
singing. But what if it is someone yelling over in town? It's nothing
unusual, I am sure. I have heard them yell at all times of the night.
I believe it is someone singing," he finally said, turning from the
window.

CHAPTER XXI.

WITH OLD JASPER.

Early in the evening old Jasper Staggs received a visit from Zeb
Sawyer, and inasmuch as the social exchanges between them had never
been particularly marked, the old man was not a little surprised.

"Well, you see, it aint altogether on your account that I've come,"
said Sawyer with a weak laugh, seeing that in the old man's
astonishment there lurked an unfavorable suspicion. "Mother--and you
know she's getting along--took it into her head today that nothing
would do her so much good as a visit from your wife and Miss Annie.
And she says she'd like mighty well to have you."

"Well," said old Jasper, "the women folks are out there in the dinin'
room a fussin' around, and I reckon they'll take the time to answer
for themselves, jest as I am agoin' to answer for myself, when I say
that I'm obleeged to you, but I can't come. I'm talkin' for myself,
recollect," he added, with emphasis, nodding his head and running his
fingers through his rim of gray beard. "Yes, sir; for myself, and for
myself only."

"But I guess Aunt Tobithy and Miss Annie will go, won't they?"

"I have said my say, and it was for myself only, but if you want to
know anything consarnin' the other members of this house, just step
right out there where they are tinkerin' with the dishes, and ask
them."

Sawyer went into the dining-room. There was a hush of the rattle of
dishes and knives, and then Sawyer came back and said they were kind
enough to go. "I am going to stay here with you," Sawyer remarked.

"A