Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08

l diamonds, secured the band Of fur which
she wore as a collar; and, besides that,
she wore no other ornaments.
Finally some one was thoughtful enough
to suggest tue rest which the travellers
needed; and, until supper-time, we saw no
more OF either Liska or McRhea.
Just before tea Ruth came timidly to my
side.
sId like to ask you a question which
/ perpIexes me. Is there any change In
Liska's manner towards Col. McRhea"
Il think there is. my DEAR 1 answer
ed, smiling. Il think there is the change
which comes to all young women who
| realize that their childhood is behind
'.Oh! Is that alIi But Liska is quite
Young. Not more than sixteen"
every near seventeen, Ruthie. And
she has the experience Of a much older
woman. Liska, as far as brains 60,
might be twenty-five"
''OhI' in a wondering tone.
"It is hard to realize, / know. But it
is true. just watch her now"
AS / spoke Liska, who was descending
the stairs, had stopped for moment on
the landing which led to the second
flight. McRhea had called to her from
the upper hall, and she stood waiting for
him.
She had put on a dress Of garnet vel
vet. WHICH, AbI any OAiltE EAAA NOhAu Id =
been too Old-l0Oking and heavy. But the
long, straight folds exhibited every curve
Of the beautiful figure; and the rich lace in
the heart-shaped bodice gave soft beau-
" to the up-turned face. A heavy gold
band held the dark coil securely; diamond
bands burned like a trembling fame
around the white arms, half hidden by
the lace which fell from sleeves cut short
at the elbows; and a Greek cross Naming
with tho Same nrpeiOnG WpmE nestled in
the lace on her bosom.
The face, turned eXpectantly upward.
was calmly beautiful, without a yestige
Of girlish nervousness. or Of that indetina-
bic consciousness which mars a girls
manner during her earlier seasons.
Yes; you are right. She can never be
our little Liska again."
''She has become what she is most fitted
to be. 1t is best as it isl
As / spoke McRhea sprang rapidly
down the first short flight of stairs, and
took her hand to assist her descent, say
| ing something in a low tone, with a court
illness of manner ! had never before seen
him put to use.
Later in the evening, when Annette and
/ her father had come and McRhea was tell
/ ing the old man about some new pic
/ lures he had seen, l drew near Liska.
| ''Have you seen the Figaro OF few
! weeks agO?'
! She understood me at once.
Yes: but it was old news to me. ]
/ was informed Of the death in November
/ My mother died for me years ago, uncle
/ MAXWELL
Il burned the sealed letter as you re-
4 quested me to do, dear"
! Il am glad of that. She could have
| made no justification which would have
| satisfied me-"
There was no pain in the face turned
| towards me. Evidently she had overcome
| all the child's love and trust.
you have changed greatly, Liska.'
! Il believe I haVe,v She answered, sad
/ ". "But my heart is still warm for the
/ loved ones, Domino; and the Farm is still
| the dearest earthly spot. l feel very old
| you know" smiling brightly. 81 believe
! it is the natural consequence of such 3
/ life as mine has been. George Eliot says
| something in 'ROmOla' which l have beer
taught to understand fully"
what is that, Liska?"
| Before she could answer McRhea, who
had slipped away from Herr Werner
Joined us.
"Liska is about TO make quotation from
| 'ROmOla' for me' l said.
"Ah! Pray continue, Liska. That il
If you do not object to my presence"
''Oh, not at all. | was just reminding
| uncle Maxwell that George Eliot ha:
SalU WAN mlCQ lIutU. M one WHO liar
| really known what it is to lose faith in Z
| fellow-man whom he has profoundly loved
and reyerenced, viii lightly say that the
| shock can leave his faith in the invisible
| goodness mistaken. With the sinking OfthC
high human trust the dignity of lite sink;
| too; we cease to believe in our own better
| self, since that also is part of the com
mon nature which is degraded IN oul
| thought, and all the finer impulses of oul
/ soul are dulled."
''Isnt that dangerous doctrine, Liska?
l asked, when she ceased.
| Every many facts are dangerous" SHE
answered, unhesitatingly. 81 don't think
| we ever gained much strength Of charac-
| ter by simply admitting as much and theI
| stunning them"
"DO you mean that we are to lOob
| everything straight in the face?' McRhea
| asked. laughingly, taking up her dainty
| handkerchief and toying with it.
Most assuredly. 1t is weakness tC
shut our eyes to any fact. Some things
| are true, and at the same time fatal il
/ yielded to. To lose ones faith in the bet
| ter self of humanity, if l may so speak, is
| possible, nay, highly probable; but we
| are not justified in willtulIy becoming
| cynics, are WEI"
''Cynicism is very amusing" McRhea
| said, smiling wickedly, ''if it only pass by
! our friends and ourselves"
And Vanity Far will always be the
best of novels, ehY' she answered. laugh
! ing merrily. PPM afraid you are more
than half right, Col. McRhea."