Presently to window before which he paused in delighted wonder not large window; casual eye passer-by little to draw attention By day it lighted the fractional floor space of little stationer, who supplemented slim business by sub-agency for railroad and steamship lines; but to-night this window seemed the framework of marvel of coincidence broad, dusty sill inside were propped two cards: the one left was his own red-lettered announcement week; the one right--oh, world of wonders ! --was photogravure exact stretch inner coast of Florida which Gideon knew best, home

There , the Indian River, rippling idly in full sunlight, palmettos leaning over the water, palmettos standing as irregular sentries along the low, reeflike island which stretched away picture the gigantic, lonely pine well, and, yes-- just make it out-- his own ramshackle little pier, which stretched in undulating fashion, like long-legged, wading caterpillar, abrupt shore-line of eroded coquina into deep water

He thought at first picture home was some new and delicate device put forth by his press-agent His name on one side of window, his birthplace other--what more tastefully appropriate ? Therefore, as he spelled out the reading-matter beneath the photogravure, sharply disappointed It read:

Spend this winter in balmy Florida Come Land of Perpetual Sunshine Golf, tennis, driving, shooting, boating, fishing, all best

more, but he had no heart ; disappointed and puzzled This picture had, after all, nothing chance, and yet, what strange chance ! It troubled and upset him His black, round-featured face took on deep wrinkles of perplexity The "misery" which had hung darkly horizon for weeks engulfed him without warning But very bitterness melancholy at last his disease not champagne or recreation that , not even "po'k-chop," although his desire symptom, groping for too homeopathic remedy: homesick

Easy, childish tears came into his eyes, and ran over his shining cheeks He shivered forlornly with sudden sense of cold, and absently clutched lapels gorgeous, fur-lined ulster

Then in abrupt reaction he laughed aloud, so shrill, musical falsetto startled the passers-by, and in another moment little semicircle curious watched spellbound as black man, exquisitely appareled, danced in wild, loose grace dull background of somewhat grimy and apparently vacant window newsboy recognized him

He heard his name being passed from mouth to mouth, and came partly senses He stopped dancing, and grinned at them

"Say, Gideon, ain't you ? " his discoverer demanded, with sort of reverent audacity

"Yaas, seh_," said Gideon; "that's me Yo' shu got it right " He broke into joyous peal of laughter--the laughter that had made him famous, and bowed deeply before him "Gideon--posi-_tive_-ly his las' puffawmunce " Turning, he dashed for passing trolley, and, still laughing, swung aboard

naturally honest In land of easy morality his friends had accounted him something of paragon; nor had Stuhk ever had anything but praise for him But now he crushed aside the ethics intent without single troubled thought Running away has always been inherent negro one regretful thought gorgeous wardrobe leaving behind him; but he dared not return Stuhk taken it into his head back rooms content himself reflection that moment wearing his best

The trolley seemed too slow for him, and, as always happened nowadays, recognized; he heard his name whispered, and was aware admiring glances curious Even popularity had its drawbacks He got down in front of big hotel and chose taxicab waiting rank, exhorting the driver his best speed station Leaning back soft depths cab, he savored his independence, cheered already swaying, lurching speed station he tipped the driver in lordly fashion, pleased with himself and anxious pleasure Only the sternest prudence and an unconquerable awe of uniform had kept him from tossing bills various traffic policemen who had seemed to smile upon his hurry

No through train left for hours; but first disappointment of momentary check, he decided that more pleased than otherwise It would save embarrassment going South, where his color more considered than his reputation, and little local he chose "Jim Crow" car--one, , specially set aside race proved crowded and full of smoke trouble him at all, nor did the admiring pleasantries which the splendor apparel immediately called forth No one knew him; indeed, naturally enough mistaken for prosperous gambler, not unflattering supposition yard, train pulled out, his private car under glaring arc light, and grinned it left behind

He spent the night pleasantly in noisy game of high-low-jack, next morning slept more soundly than he had slept for weeks, hunched upon wooden bench boxlike station of North Carolina junction The express brought him to Jacksonville in twenty-four hours; the journey, as it, boarding any local that happened going south, and leaving it for meals or sometimes for sleep or often whim possessed him, filled five happy days There night train, and dozed from Jacksonville until little north of New Smyrna

He awoke it broad daylight, car half empty The train was on siding, with news of freight wreck ahead Gideon stretched himself, and looked window, and emotion seized him For all his journey the South had seemed to welcome him, but here at last country He went out platform and threw back his head, sniffing the soft breeze, heavy mysterious thrill of unplowed acres, the wondrous existence of primordial jungle, where life has rioted unceasingly above unceasing decay dry fine dust of waste places, and wet warm mists of slumbering swamps; it seemed to Gideon to tremble songs of birds, the dry murmur of palm leaves, almost inaudible whisper gray moss that festooned the live-oaks

"Um-m-m," he murmured, apostrophizing it, "yo' 's the right kind o' breeze, yo' is Yo'-all's healthy " Still sniffing, he climbed down dusty road-bed

The negroes who had ridden were sprawled about him ground; lay sleeping, face up, sunlight The train had evidently been there for , and there were no signs of an immediate departure He bought some oranges of little, bowlegged black boy, and sat down on log to eat them and up his mind to enjoyment The sun was hot upon him, thoughts were vague and drowsy glad that alive, glad back once more among familiar scenes Down the length train white passengers Pullmans restlessly pacing up and down, getting into their cars and , consulting watches, attaching themselves with gesticulatory expostulation to various officials; but their impatience found no echo thought the hurry ? plenty sufficient come own land; the actual walls of home could wait The delay was pleasant, with its opportunity for drowsy sunning, its relief grimy monotony of travel He glanced orange-colored "Jim Crow" with distaste, and inspiration, dawning slowly upon him, swept all other thought before it in its great and growing glory

brakeman passed, and Gideon leaped feet and pursued him

"Misteh, how long yo'-all reckon this train goin' ? "

"About an hour "

The question mere matter of form Gideon had made up his mind, and if he told started in five minutes have changed it He climbed back car coat hat, and then almost furtively stole down the steps again and slipped quietly palmetto scrub

"'Most made the mistake of ma life," he chuckled, "stickin' ol' train foheveh 'T isn't the right way at, all foh Gideon home "

The river was not far away catch the dancing blue of it in ragged vista, and beacon he steered directly His coat was heavy arm, his thin patent-leather ties pinched and burned and demanded detours around swampy places, but happy

As he went along, his plan perfected itself get into loose shoes again, old ones, if money could buy them, and old clothes, too The bull-briers snatching at his tailored splendor suggested that

He laughed Florida partridge, small quail, whirred up from under his feet; he paused to exchange affectionate mockery with red squirrels; and once, even when brought up suddenly to familiar and ominous, dry reverberation, the small, crisp sound rolling drums of death, look about him for some instrument of destruction, as at time done, but instead peered cautiously over the log before him, and spoke in tolerant admonition:

"Now, Misteh Rattlesnake, yo' jes min' yo' own business Nobody's goin' step on yo', ner go triflin' roun' yo' in no way whatsomeveh Yo' jes lay there sun an' git 's fat 's yo' please Don' yo' tu'n yo' weeked li'l' eyes on Gideon He's jes goin' 'long home, an' ain' lookin' foh no muss "