The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard Page A

exclaimed.
    â€œWhere does the door lead to, Uncle John?” Mandie questioned. “Mr. Jason tried to open it, but it was locked and he didn’t have the key.”
    â€œOh, he has no idea where that door leads. He has never had a key. I have the only key.” He pulled it from his pocket and got up to walk to the door. “Here, you want to see what’s behind here?”
    Mandie scrambled after him, Polly and Joe crowding closely behind her. John Shaw put the key in the lock, turned it with a click, and pushed open the door. Behind it was a paneled wall. Reachingto one side he pushed a latch and one panel swung aside. And there before them was the entrance to the tunnel.
    He smiled as the three gasped in surprise.
    â€œUncle John!” Mandie covered her mouth with her hands.
    â€œIf we only could have found a way to unlock that door!” Polly moaned.
    â€œAnd all this time you have been trying to open a wall in the attic!” Joe laughed.
    â€œThe tunnel stops here. It doesn’t go up to the attic,” Uncle John told them.
    â€œBut, what is the tunnel for?” Mandie asked.
    â€œMy grandfather, your great-grandfather, Amanda, who was also named Jim Shaw, built this house at the time the Cherokees were being run out of North Carolina. He didn’t believe in the cruel way the Indians were being treated and he had this tunnel built for them. He hid dozens of Cherokees in there, fed and clothed them, and then helped them on their way when things calmed down along about 1842, and they could set up living quarters somewhere else,” John Shaw told her. “That was the way my father met my mother. He was twenty-eight years old and had never been married when he met my mother. She was only eighteen, a beautiful young Indian girl.”
    â€œShe was beautiful, Uncle John?” Mandie grasped his hand.
    â€œVery beautiful, Amanda. I have her portrait. The frame needed redoing. It’s in Asheville now, being refinished. You’ll see it when it comes back.”
    â€œOh, Uncle John, I’m so happy!” Tears filled Mandie’s eyes as she looked up into her uncle’s face. “I’m so happy you are—not—are still alive!”
    At that moment, there was the sound of footsteps in the hall. Jason Bond appeared in the doorway and almost dropped the lamp he was carrying when he saw John Shaw standing there.
    â€œMr.—Mr.—S—Shaw!” he stammered.
    â€œYes, it’s me, Jason. Sorry I couldn’t let you in on the secret, but no one knew I was really and truly alive except Ed Wilson,”John Shaw told him. “And I must say you’ve played your part well, Jason. You can be trusted.” John Shaw explained everything to Jason Bond, who still stood there gaping and trembling.
    â€œOh, dear,” Jason muttered as he learned the truth. “I—I’m sure glad you’re back, Mr. Shaw. It sure straightens out a lot of problems. Like these people that moved in here—”
    â€œYes, I know. I knew about them as soon as they arrived. Uncle Ned kept me informed as to what was going on. Sorry you had to put up with them, but as soon as the sun rises they will be hitting the road.”

    And that was the way it happened. Upon being confronted by the real, living John Shaw, Bayne Locke, Mrs. Snow, and her daughter were all too glad to pack up their belongings and leave the next morning.
    Mandie stood on the porch holding her uncle’s hand as the three made their abrupt exit. She breathed a sigh of relief.
    â€œNow maybe things will simmer down!” she exclaimed.
    â€œWell, no, actually things are just beginning to happen! I’m expecting company from Asheville.” He squeezed her hand.
    Joe and Polly, standing nearby, looked at each other and Polly said, “Well, my mother is coming home today. So that eliminates one more guest from this house.”
    Joe scratched his head.