Laurelia

It was strange to Laurelia that she, who habitually strove to fix her mind on religious things, should so relish the aspect of Ty

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

Lee-yander ain't in nowise abused, ez I kin see -- ain't acquainted with the rod, like the Bible say he oughter be, an 'ennybody kin see ez Laurelia don't like the name he gin her, yit she puts up with it.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

Laurelia looked up with a start at the instrument, red and lustrous against the brown log wall, its bow poised jauntily above it, and some glistening yellow reflection from the sun on the floor playing among the strings, elusive, soundless fantasies.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

His hair began to curl, and a neighbor, remarking on it to Laurelia, and forgetting for the moment his parentage, said, in admiring glee, twining the soft tendrils over her finger, that Mrs. Sudley had never before had a child so well-favored as this one.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

From the standpoint she had taken Laurelia had never wavered.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

"It's a mighty satisfyin 'thing ter be well off in yearthly goods an' chattels," said Laurelia, with sudden inspiration.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

The inspiration returned no more, and Laurelia experienced a sense of loss.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

Laurelia, who sat silent and stony, her faded eyes on the fire, heedless of his words.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

"That thar boy treats me ez ef I war a plumb idjit," Laurelia said one day, moved to her infrequent anger.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

Laurelia sighed for the violin and Leander's music, though, as she always made haste to say, some pious people misdoubted whether it were not a sinful pastime.

The Moonshiners At Hoho-Hebee Falls 1895 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886