Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-06
A Lakeside Musing.
Chicago Tribune.


merry Christmas, papa"
A sweet face, wreathed in the sunniest
Of smiles, and whose peachy bloom was
rendered still more beautiful by pair OF
dark brown eyes that sparkled like dia-
monds, looked rOguishly over the bannis-
ters as these words were spoken, and be-
fore the one to whom they were addressed
could reply a pair of plump white arms
were thrown around his neck. and the
little head " th its mass Of fluffy golden
hair was nesting on his breast.
Harold Setback, man of the world
though he was, and absorbed with the
cares of business which seemed to ell
gross all his time, loved his only child
with & great three-stOry- basement
love that at times became a passionate
alteration. All his hopes, ambitions and
successes were wrapped in her happiness
and a look of care on Beryfs face or a
trace of sadness in the big brown eyes
that were so like those of her dead moth
err, on whose grave the snow was falling
so silently this Christmas morning, meant
to him an absolute pain, a pain that was
not to be banished until the pretty face
was wreathed in smiles again and the
brown eyes laughing as before.
"A merry Christmas, indeed, my dar-
ling" said Mr.. Setback, bending over and
kissing the rosebud mouth that was up
turned to his. why should l not be
happy? | have health, wealth, pleas
ant home, and, above all, have you, my
precious one -
But, papa" interposed the girl, blush
ing as she spoke, "have you never thought
that we may not be always together
that perhaps some day there may come
one who -"
"Mv chldr" exclaimed the banker, in
tones that were half tender, half reproach-
full. Does my little girl mean to tell me
RI, ha vy-inEa6 littla 0roho~ hoe rfQrOpd
her heart with an arrow from his culver?
Does she mean to say that while my eyes
have been closed in ignorance some one
has been teaching her the old, old lesson.
always so easy to learn-the lesson that"
"StOp!" said Beryl, in an imperiOus and
almost whOa-Emma tone, land come with
me into the library"
They stepped into the apartment and
after Beryl had seated herself at the piano
and played a few bars from BeethOven's
ninth symphony in order to clear the
neighbOrhOOd of beggars and organ-grind-
ers. she cuddled herself up coZily on
hassOck beside her father.
Yes. papa, she began, II am in love
nay, more than that. L have plighted my
trOth."
chow much did you get on it?'' asked
the banker.
you misunderstood me, " replied Beryl.
Il have pledged myself to become the
bride of the only man | can ever love-
Arthur Ainsleigh.''
"Whatv almost shouted the banker,
''that dry goods clerkY'
''Yes''' was the reply in clear. resonant
tones. Il love him, and despite your
sneers shall marry him. 1t is no crime
for man to be a dry goods clerk
"NO," said Mr.. Setback thOughtfully,
''but it ought to be-" and for a moment
silence fell between them.
The father was the first to speak. 81
do not care for wealth." he said, ''when
the subject Of your future husband is con-
sdered. and | could overlook his paper
on-the-wall pants, but Arthur Ainsleigh
is a debduchee."
'.'Tis falser' cried the girl. "Prove
your words to be true and l will renounce
him forever, but should you not do SO l
will fulfill my promise to him at once"
Il accept the test" was the reply, and
kissing his daughter fondly, Harold Set
back left the house.
$50 l can have the detective?"
Eyes. One of our best men will ingra-
tiate himself with this young man of
whom you have spoken, and if he has the
slightest tendency towards dissipation he
is lost.'
VERY well,' said the banker. ''Good
day"
0OOu udy'
Enough This is horrible"
Beryl Setback speaks almost appeal
ingly to her father as she stands with him
in front of a gilded haunt of vice and be-
holds Arthur Ainslelgh leaning against
the bar in state OF beastly intOXicatiOn
he whom she had loved with such pas
siOnate fervOr that at times she forgot
about her corn. LET me 60 away, papa"
she said in tones that were almost sob,
Il shall never see him again."
''How much is your billY"
The detective stood by the bankers
desk. Five dollars for my time" he
said.
But were there no other expenses?
He seemed very far gone when 1 saw
him."
sob, yes,' replied the detective. "forty
cents for that part Of it. / had to buy
two lemOnades and a package of cigarettes
before he was tuIl enough to have the
young lady see him."-FrOnl "D0es His
Mother KaO,o He's Out?" by Murdt Hal
stead.