Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-11

: III Fl
UnconsciousIy ]. had fallen into the old
time manner of speaking. When ! heard
my own tones a flood-tide of memories
rushed upon me. The child LOis-timid,
| clinging, dependent-took the place of
| this self-reliant, proud faced, heavy
hearted woman. and before / was hardly
/ aware of my intention l had drawn her
/ quite close to my heart, and she was Sob
| bing as she had done in days past when a
/ drunken father and an historical mother
/ had tried her heart 10 it's EXTREMIST en-
/ durance.
Tea was over when returned; but Ruth
was waiting for me at the gate.
you know we can't wait, NOWADAYS"
she said. making a smiling apology to me.
'The little house is crowded, 50 the tea
table had to be cleared away to make
temporary sleeping-rOOm for you. You
will find everything on a little table near
the window. 1t is a simple tea" she
added, blushing slightly. Ruth was quite
young woman, you will perceive, and
had not Outgrown certain false pride Pc
culiar to youth. 1--WE have had to live
quite plainly, you know"
"But cOntentedly, hOpeT' looking into
her face to trace any faint discomfort
there. "Where is Lesley?'' 1 added; Il
have not seen her since my arrival"
''She knows you are here, though, and is
glad of it. Since BOb's illness Lesley has
most considerably taken Lois place in
the household. She has bsen quite busy
since your arrival"
"Where are your servants, Ruth?" |
asked, as it suddenly occurred to me that
| had seen none.
cat the Castle" she answered, smiling
archly, yet with a little trembling of the
voice,
''Surely you do not mean to say"
''But do. Lois insisted upon having
everything her own way. And she said
that until Robert could get into business
she was determined to incur no debt, how
ever small, which she might not be able to
meet. So she only hired a girl to do the
| toughest of the work. A regular 'Tilly
SlOwbOy,' Mr.. Maxwell" she added, with
a forced laugh.
"But one capable servant would have
been a small matter" urged.
''Would ~ she reJoined, for the first
| time trifle bitterly. II can remember
the time when it would have appeared so
to me also. When we stand in no dread
Of expenses everything seems q small
matter, doesn't it? But the case is
slightly altered when one comes to face a
purse gradually diminishing with no hope
of Teplenishment."
"That is purest folly, Ruth. 1t doesn't
! sound like YOU"
! Ous IL lSu my lucd, sic I6SpOHNl6ti'
more brightly. cit is all Lois. If 1 had
been in Lois place, l should have accept
ed Lesley's proffered aid"
"And why did she nOt?'
"Pride, l Think she answered, prompt
| ly. Though Lois really gave Lesley a
! plausible excuse. Things may be worse
STILL she said, when she kissed Lesley
and tried to keep the tears back. wait
until there is more pressing need, and
then | will gladly accept your aId.''
"My poor little Lois!' L murmured, as
l left Ruth and went into the room pre-
pared for me.
could see Lesley's thoughtfulness in
the fruits and snowy bread and strong
iced-tea that had been placed on the little
table for me.
had no heart to eat, but l stood and
looked at the daintiness of the little re-
past, and in my heart l begged pardon of
the calm, reserved Scotch girl whom had
at first so much misjudged.
Then, slowly, turned from the window,
| and went towards the room where death
and life were to meet once more in the old,
never-ending strife.
TO BE CONTINUED