Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-28
sFIorriita 1IFrus Srrtalo.
STRASS MERE. =
sy MRS. c. 7. INCH.
CHAPTER VII.

L
r.w davs after my marriage l was
alone DID my bOndOir, charming room set
.rsrt Tor me. and where none but my
most privileged friends were ever admit
faf. Already il had become TO me pre-
cfr-s -auctum. and the ornaments and
injuries it contained were growing 10 De
romuauiOns for my quiet hours, and each
seemed 90 possess voice that talked 10
rra. strange being that l was. To none,
r0r even 10 Eugene, could l unfold the
mysteries Of a being that was a mystery
tDn.v-eIf / never felt solitary; nay, II
was "a luxury often to be alone. Eugene
had zone out on some business, and l sat
absorbed I'M thought, while the quietude
and mechanical sound Of the ticking
clock seemed 10 be the very restful COM
rsr-lns / needed. A letter from Harry
I4v gpan upon my knee, and while my
owes aere turned towards the forest trees
ff.r could be seen from the window saw
nothing iu the landscape. 1t was dill
cut TOT me TO take in all the cOnse-
Curuces Of my marriage IL a few days, for
had made an uncalulating surrender of
mn, whole heart. God could bear me wit
ness mat il was full and loving surren-
der.
wrote 70 Harry, and here was his re-
UIv. { Judged him by myself and was
totally unprepared for his unmanliness,
Tor iu my mind it was nothing less.
One .art Of it will quote, which was a
key Io Ihe W4ole' .-.,,
Internationally forced me 10 vOnuemn
YOU Your future IS likely to be filed
Titl unknown troubles, which, il they
concerned yOG alone. would be Of your
own choosing, and no one could deny you
that privilege; but step suU1 as you
have taken may be endless in its CCNnse-
qullces t0 your family. How Will ycsl
feel one day If father and brother both
beal the sOrrOWs that this step most sure
lYWiu bring upon them: You are moth
l1- but child and cannot take in the
dread disgrace. It's your wise Professor
who IS 20 blame for all this. / feel like
cur-u2 the day that he ever crossed your /
pathway
An. he feared my coming in between |
himself and Jessie. 1t was no wonder /
that Eis pen was filled with satire. | |
could understand this. but that he could |
forget what he had been and who 4
hell him back to reformed life was 4
mar e.0Usly strange.
Ay soul became full Of the same bitter
ness as his. Strange that | had not /
paused upon the threshold of the sweet
est hours Of my life and flung all its lows
from me for his sake!
God pity me, for l was growing bitter
towards ms mothers Harry who had been
oh 1 much TO me! had never dreamed
OF Cd change like thisl My gIrlhOOd's
PRAYER was for HarTy's reformation, at
any cost; now that the prayer was an
sWeled L dared not murmuT. In the
midst IT my deep reVerie there was a rap
at the door of the room which startled me.
opened It and was face TO face with Jes-
sie Douglas.
son. YOU dear creature, 1 have been
DYING 90 see your
she nearly smothered Inc with kisses,
and WuIrlld me around to the centre of the
room.
sob. what a love of place! Such
charming pictures! Such lovely furni-
ture 30 ghosts yet, Ell. Minnie?'
AlI 0ut Of breath / sank back into my
chair laughing heartily. 1t was really de-
I-lt.Ul to look into Jessie's merry face
and e3iiZe that she was as yet the I'M
changed friend OF my girlhOOd. HarTy's
letter bad called up grim pictures Of Jes-
sic with cold eyes and ayerted face. How
they an melted away under the sunshine
OF her smiles.
She skipped about from one object TO
another, going into Taptures over some
paintings hung about the walls.
s~uch a rare genius you have mOnOpO-
uzed. Minnie. His talents ought to have
been divided among the other gentlemen
or ur city. Painting, music, learning,
wealth and such charming taste would \
nave made an ugly man attractive, but /
such % handsome man controlling all /
these attractions renders him too much Of /
apr'le for one little woman"
--PlCdse, Jessie. do be sensible and sit |
down.
"Tlere, now, / am seated beside you /
ready Co he entertained
She sat for a time quite mOtiOnless |
watching me. Harry's letter lay open /
upon the floor where had dropped it. She |
reco rulZed the writing, and after awhile
began I'M a more subdued tone:
Hairs been scOlding you, has he? All!
Yes, I 6neW something was the matter.
How could he? Poor lambH'
She tglded her hands and continued
watching me narrowly.
-'Jessie- please tell me if you have seen
father"
4 scarcely knew why this question came
from my lips all Ilnbidden.
FL nave lust come from there" she re-
Piled. u tried to pump him in some
Uay So that l could bring you bit of
news. but the old Captain is as hard as
mill stone. L ran about the house and
gathered some flowers for yOu-yiOlets;"
here She threw a little bunch in my lap.
'D0u 6 cry now and let the husband come
M and look daggers at me for giving you
red eyes. But / did md out one thing
that You viii please explain. Your father
told mine that you premeditated leaving
home that last day before you went to
cLurch- that YOU wrote farewell upon
the window that morning. Though l
dared not attack him upon the subject,
went % your room and there upon the
glass 1 found the fatal word scratched
with a diamond. L am puzzled, dear,
ana wish YOU would tell me what it
means"
Her words startled me into a vivid recOl-
ton NJ the morning Of my last birthday.
An. what had my careless fingers dOney
a al
mental expression Of emotion called up
by Eo1hie's song and meant nothing. 1
was only trying the point of my diamond.
minnie. what are you thinking abOut?"
LrC.- in upon my Teyerie. Il know you
% De the soul of candOr, but will not be-
lieye until I hear you affirm it that you
lett Your fathers house Of your own free
Will. He says you did"
Indignation gave me courage to speak
very earnestly.
~Fatler deceives himself If he really be-
L-Fls this. for It is false. The foolish
words ON the glass were no proof against
le. remember well that the sentence l
intended 10 finish was cut of by fathers
calling me to go below. He certainly can
-ot forget how ! tried in vain to gain an
entrance and was locked out"
"EIt, pet,N continued Jessie, ''he saws
son virtually eXiled yourself when YOU
lett him aud joined those with whom he
---.- l..- taA-tlh eD-A ~ 4o4A any GuluLuu-
ICu
true cried 1. while a flush burnt
upon my cheeks, Il knew the words that
father had spoken. but could not believe
That be would BE willing to pass by and
leave even an enemy in need Of help. He
cid H. but l could not. nor could 1 fear
even then that he would blame me for
oneFlns the higher law. Nothing can
prove to me that did wrong, and, though
my heart clings TO the old home and the
dear cnes who once loved me, do not re-
pent having tried to show mercy TO the
sufferer"
y cure a brave daughter, little one,
and Indignation is very becoming to you.
1our viOlet-c0lOTed eyes truly flash. i
Lhe 20 see YOU look that way"
Her laughing voice soon won me from
he attitude Of naughty defense.
Il do not wish 70 indulge" said /,
"in the shadow Of a wrong feeling to-
wards my father or Harry either. and
VIII never do so if there is j power in the
-umau VIII; and now, Jessie, want you
10 DO NE justice. Will you uOts Do you
not believe that 1 tried TO be a dutiful
daughter and q faithful sister, and viii
l1u not plead for me with both father and
sout0
wound my arms about her, and plead
WIN my eager, searching eyes.