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

sIralned voice. "Ihe end has come just
as L thought it would. Smith & Abbott
have Withdrawn from the lease"
''Smith g. Abbott? ?" Ruth repeated, help
lessly.
Yes. The Northern lessees," explain
ing the matter as calmly as if he had
nothing involved. 'sThe Monticello branch
is dead failure"
1t is needless to say that after such an
announcement breakfast became mere
farce.
"Perhaps it isn't so bad, Bob" / said,
when we were together in his dressing
room, where his servant was hastily pack
ing his Yalise preparatory to a departure
to Atlanta and, probably, New York.
s'NOt so bad:" he calculated. 1T is
worse. 1t is utter and irFeparable fail
ure. l am looking mOmentarily for a
telegram that the run on Cotton 81 Con-
way is begun. l am going to do the best
| can, of course" he added, catching the
anxious expression of my countenanee.
E'But it is all hoping against hope. Moth
ing remains now but for cotton to fall.
Troubles never come single, you know"
laughing bitterly, and maintaining still
the unnatural calmness which had marked
his manners at the table.
Returning to Lois sitting-rOom we found
DR.. Hayward already there.
"Just received telegram, my boy" he
said, as we entered. 'EIts bad affair,
Pm afraid. Off, seel Perhaps YOU may
be able to straighten things"
Ppm glad It's no worse for yOu," Bob
answered, cordially, shaking the hand eX-
tended to him. ''YOu will only lose your
purchase money. And will see to it that
your deposit at Colton's is all right. I'll
telegraph ahead at the station"
'LOOk out for yourself, my boy; look
out for yourself and Lois. Pve got my
profession, you know. 1t will be hard
lines for Lois if things go wrong all the
way through"
Il don't mind the hard lines Lois in
terrupted, meanwhile laying her hand
afTectionately on Roberts shoulder. 81
hope Robert will not be tempted to resort
to unfair means to save himself or me-"
As she spoke Roberts face for the first
time lost its calm cOmposure. He turned
hastily, going into the depths of win
dow. AS he turned l saw the big tears
coursing down his cheeks.
Failure for himself meant next to moth
ing; but poverty and sacrifice for this
hOwer-like wife! That was grief too hard
to bear.
"What does it all mean? 20 Uua Dudley
said, softly, to me, when we were alone in
the library; the guests having scattered in
CONSERVATION.
ut means that Bob is ruined man.
He has speculated rashly, l believe. l
can't tell you exactly how it has hap
pened."
But his banking interestsr
''Are not to be depended on at all, it
seems. That IS just where the trouble
lies. The railroad venture itself might
cripple but it could not ruin him. 1t is
the bank that he fears. The combined es-
tates of Cotton & Conway could not make
settlement of more than twenty-five per
cent. on the deposits"
'Great heavens" she calculated, the
tears rising in her eyes. "Will Lois have
to give up the Castle?''
''And every foot of land. She never will
suffer Robert to take refuge in bank
ruptcy.
"But that is overstrained PRIDE" she
began.
POSSIBLY. TLot has been mooted
question in my mind ever since it became
a law. How much can man withhold
from his just creditors and yet remain
honest? l think Lois puts the question
very much as | do"
Il hate to leave Lois at this trying
time" she said, after a moment of 81
lence. IL do not know what is best to do.
If could help her through the difficulty
in any way-but l cannot. And it seems
to me the greater kindness will be to give
Robert and her absolute solitude in
which to settle upon some plan for the fu-
ture."
''Spoken like a true woman" l answer
ed, impulsively. SOLITUDE and quiet
are what Lois most needs"
"But doesn't it look very much like run
ming away?" Rosa Walton said.
She had joined us some moments before,
and spoke now for the first time.
$40 some eyes it might appear sO,' /
answered, "but Lois is satisfied of the
friendship-the true and lasting friend
ship-Of every guest under her roof. She
would doubtless appreciate the delicacy
which prompted the departure.'
I'VE are just speaking OF you, dear"
Una exclaimed, catching a glimpse of
Lois dress.
"YesY'
The tone was very tender, and the ex-
preston of brave firmness in the face
was beautiful to see.
I'VE were just saying how our hearts are
WruuS because of this misfortune And
we were trying to decide what course of
action on our part will be the greatest
Kindness to you"
"It you can find it pleasant at the Cas-
tie I'd be glad to have all Of you remain"
Lois answered, calmly. "At least till
Robert returns. Affairs are not settled
yet, and things may not end quite so bad
ly as we fear. Until there is some GER
tainty, your presence will be a comfort
and relief to me-
"When will Robert returnY' Lesley
asked, anXiOusly.
If he goes to New York he cannot get
back before next week. 1t may not be
necessary for him to 90 to New York,
however, so cannot count on his re
turn"
The following afternoon the telegram
had been hourly dreading came: "COltOn
Il Conway stopped payment at noon."
At SIN p. m. Robert stepped from the
fast mail train.
''What is it?'' l asked, as we walked to-
wards the pony phaetOn In which l had
driven down to meet him.
"Ruin!'
No other word. His face was CHASTITY
pale, with sunken eyes, as if he had arisen
from a sick bed.
We drove on in silence. The sOftness of
the early autumn atmosphere made fairy
pictures of the mountains which just
then were raising their woody heights to
receive the embrace of golden and purple
clouds; the birds chirped in the tree-tOps
above us, and the little mountain stream
flowed by, limpid and silvery, singing its
neYer-ceasing love song to the wild flow
ers on its brink.
AS the phae'On turned into the long
avenue leading up through the grove, our
eyes, by a common impulse. looked long
and tearfully upon all the beauty of the
home towards which we were slowly driy-
ing.
A dry sob burst from Roberts heavy
heart, and for the first time he spoke in a
husky voice:
81 thank God my mother died before
this dayw
At the Castle Lois received us much as
usual. She was a self-cOntrOlled and Gull
tured woman; and many times during
that trying week / thanked God for the
calmness of manner and strength of will
which we all uncOnsciOusly initiated.
Gradually the chaos of affairs began to
assume shape and order. The whole Con-
way estate was involved. Nothing was
left untouched except the Langsdale
cottage in RystOth, which was Lois sole
piece of property at the time of her mar
riage.
eve have at least home left us, Lois
said, cheerfully, upon the last evening
before the departure of the guests from
the Castle.
t'You are a brave woman" Lesley an
swered, warmly. She had lost much of
the cold reserve since this misfortune had
Oyertaken the house. "FOr my part, L do
not intend leaving you at all. Olin, of
course, must go into the city. l don't
think he would be of much service to any
of us. But | intend to stay with you and
Ruth, and show you how useful a Scotch
girl can become when occasion demands"
"And | am sure we shall be glad to have