Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-10

Der what said Of my errand when first
came p
"You said it was an errand OF graft
tude."
Something more than the gratitude
which only says Thank YOU she added.
''Before explain myself, however, l want
to know what you have been doing, and
how it was that my inquiries failed to
trace you after that terrible nightY'
The appearance Of depression which
Mrs. Calender had noticed at the public
meeting showed itself again in Mr.. Lis
more's face. lie sighed as he answered
her:
''My story has one merit" he said; cit
is soon told. cannot wonder that you
failed to discover me. In the first place,
| was not Captain Of my ship at that time.
| was only mate. In the second place, |
inherited some money and ceased to lead
sailors life in less than year from the
night of the fire. You will now under
stand what obstacles were in the way of
your tracing me. With my little capital
| started successfully in business as a
ship-owner. At the time ! naturally con-
graduated myself on my own good for
| tune. We little know, Mrs. Calender,
what the future has in store for u.s.
lie stopped. His handsome features
hardened-aS if he was suffering (and
| cOncealing) pain. Before it was possible
TO speak to him there was knock at the
door Another visitor, without an APP
pointment, had called; the clerk appeared
again with a card and a message.
1.-The gentleman begs you will see him,
sir. lie has something to tell you which
is too important TO be delayed"
Hearing the message, Mrs. Calender
rose Immediately.
at is enough for to-day that we under
stand each other,' she said "Haye you
any engagement tomorrow after the hours
of business p
'None."
She pointed to her card on the writing
table. ''Will you come to me tomorrow
evening at that address? l am like the
gentleman who has Just called; /, too,
have my reason for wishing to see you"
lie gladly accepted the invitation. Mrs.
Calender stopped him as he opened the
door for her.
''Shall offend YOU" she said, ''ir ask
a strange question before go? l have
better motive, mind, than mere curiosity.
Are you married.
"No."
Forgive me, again" she resumed. cat
my age you cannot possibly misunder-
stand me; and yet"
She hesitated. Mr.. Lismore tried to
give her confidence. "Pray don't stand
on ceremony, Mrs. Calender. Nothing
that you can ask me need be pretaced by
an llOlOpN.
Thus encouraged she ventured TO pro-
coed.
~ on may be engaged to be married."
she suggested; "Or YOU may be in lOVeW
He found it impossible TO conceal his
surprise. But he answered without hest
tatiOn.
"There is no such bright prospect in
my life,' he said; Il ann not even in
love-"
She left him with little sigh. 1t sound
ed like sigh OF relief.
Ernest llsmorC was thoroughly puzzled
What could be the old lady's object in
ascertaining that he was still free from a
matr. monial engagement? If the idea had
occurred to him in time he might have al
luded TO her domestic life and might have
asked if she had children. With a little
tact he might have discovered more than
this. She had described her feeling to-
ward him as passing the ordinary limits
of gratitude, and she was evidently rich
enough to be above the imputatiOn of
mercenary motive. Did she propose to
brighten those dreary prospects to which
he had alluded in speaking of his own lifey
When he presented himself at her house
theneXt evening would she introduce him
to charming daughter?
lie smiled as the idea occurred to him.
AN appropriate time to be thinking of
my chances of marriage" he SAID to him
self. lin another month l may be ru-
ined man."