Charles W. Chesnutt

“ The fact that several persons knew his secret had
spoiled the fine flavor of perfect security hitherto
marking his position. George Tryon was a man of
honor among white men, and had deigned to extend
the protection of his honor to Warwick as a man,
though no longer as a friend; to Rena as a woman,
but not as a wife. Tryon, however, was only human,
and who could tell when their paths in life might
cross again, or what future temptation Tryon might
feel to use a damaging secret to their disadvantage? ”

“ Warwick had cherished certain ambitions, but these
he must now put behind him. In the obscurity of
private life, his past would be of little moment; in
the glare of a political career, one's antecedents are
public property, and too great a reserve in regard
to one's past is regarded as a confession of something
discreditable. Frank, too, knew the secret
--a good, faithful fellow, even where there was no
obligation of fidelity; he ought to do something for
Frank to show their appreciation of his conduct. ”

“ Green suspected the
secret; he had a wife and daughters. If old Judge
Straight could have known Warwick's thoughts, he
would have realized the fulfillment of his prophecy.
Warwick, who had builded so well for himself, had
weakened the structure of his own life by trying to
share his good fortune with his sister.
" Listen, Rena," he said, with a sudden impulse,
"we'll go to the North or West--I'll go with
you--far away from the South and the Southern
people, and start life over again. It will be easier
for you, it will not be hard for me--I am young,
and have means. ”

“ And what
would I do with a mule, anyhow? I ain't got no
barn to put him in."
"I suspect you don't care much for us after
all, Frank," said Rena reproachfully--she had
come in while they were talking. "You meet
with a piece of good luck, and you're afraid of it,
lest it might have come from us."
"Now, Miss Rena, you oughtn't ter say dat,"
expostulated Frank, his reluctance yielding immediately.
"I'll keep de mule an' de kyart an' de
harness--fac', I'll have ter keep 'em, 'cause I
ain't got no others. But dey 're gwine ter be yo'n
ez much ez mine. ”

“ Perhaps He meant us to bring the others
together in his own good time. A man may make
a new place for himself--a woman is born and
bound to hers. God must have meant me to stay
here, or He would not have sent me back. I shall
accept things as they are. ”

“ I wuz glad ter do w'at little
I could, fer frien'ship's sake."
"We value your friendship, Frank, and we'll
not forget it."
"No, Frank," added Rena, "we will never
forget it, and you shall always be our good friend."
Frank left the room and crossed the street with
swelling heart. He would have given his life for
Rena. A kind word was doubly sweet from her
lips; no service would be too great to pay for her
friendship.
When Frank went out to the stable next morning
to feed his mule, his eyes opened wide with
astonishment. ”