Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-27

the hand we congratulate them, and
leave any further reckoning to an AL
merciful Judge whose darling attribute is
love.
Tonight they enjoy rather an accession
of quiet happiness. Somewhat of Charities
young beauty, somewhat of her fresh
sweetness has fingered with them. A touch
OF her presence yet stirs the old mans
heart as, slowly slipping his tea, he re-
calls her clear, bright eyes, and the bril-
liant showing this afternoon had given of
her clear appreciative intelligence. He
loves to think of her. He enjoys the
lingering sunshine in which he seems to
sit when she leaves him. No other sub
ject is worth a moments handling in the
first hour after her departure. His wife
Is always too wise to suggest one, and in
deed she is not guiltless of this whimsi-
cal weakness herself. So she drinks her
tea. and listens indulgently and kindly.
''By the way, you didn't tell Charlie the
good news at last, wife, did your" he
asked, in pleasant. indulgent way.
mo. Everything was hurried to get
her home in time for tea. Dear me! Pm
too much afraid she didn't quite do it."
Eyes she did. Trust her for that.
When she has a mind to accomplish a
thing, just trust her for doing it. Mrs.
Beltham was Outwitted for once, I'll
wager"
"Ah! 1 trust so, but 1 don't know
How Charlie will like EscOtte! Little
did she dream what | should have told
her-that we look for him next week.
All! me! it seems so long, so long since he
was at home. Doctor, we are growing
old. EscOtte must stay with us. can
not let the ocean separate US again."
''If he wasted his time, or was only a
purpOseless wanderer, should have OBJ
jected to these long absences, but he is a
constant worker. If a man proposes, to
illustrate a branch of science, or any
thing else, let him do 1t well. Let him do
it WE'LL Still he must have had enough Of
his foreign residence. think he will stay
this time.n
The old man sat in pleasant muse af-
ter this. His thoughts went out to meet
his boy at this moment crossing the At
lantlc on his hOmeward way-his boy,
now nearly thirty years old, who had not
yet caused him a moments tr0uble-his
boy, so respected, so gifted and so good!
but his boy, all the same. His heart
glOwed with pride and fOndness. Then,
suddenly remembering his other child, he
said
MARY, what will Escotte think of
Charlie? He has not seen her for many
wears, has hep
"NOt for years. You remember his last
two visits home were both in June and
July, when her grandmother had her at
the springs. He has not seen her in five
years"
"He will hardly know her. Think how
! she has grown! Think how she has de-
velOped! He will be charmedy She will
/ seem sweet young sister, and he may
be the lifelong friend and brother she so
much needs. Perhaps Esc0tte will marry
! now, and, when | am gone, his home will
! be certain refuge for her. He should
adopt her-she won't have father long
and then, Mrs, Beltham, your reign is
over! Hank. There's some one at the
door! l shall ask him in here if he is
a visitor
"Certainly, yes. Jane has not lighted
the parlor."
The visitor proved to be a tall gentle
man, who inquired if DIR. Fearne lived
here. He was brought into the sitting
room with kind pOliteness, but. curiOuslY
forgetful of ordinary etiquette, he kept
/ his hat on and hardly spoke. The doctor
looked at him in a bewildered kind OF
way, but who can deceive a woman who
carries ones form and face in her heart
and thoughts each hour of her life? Mrs.
Fearne took one look, just one quick look,
and, with half sob of exceeding Joy
she said:
''Oh! Escotte. my son my darlngv'
and wrapped him in her tender arms.
His father, too much moved to speak,
laid one trembling hand on his shoulder
/ and looked at him from head to foot hard
ly realizing so much happiness, At last
he said:
"BOy! what do you mean by such trick
as this, upsetting pair of quiet old folks
! with such masquerading nonsense?"
He was almost too full to speak, but his
son, quiet and pleased, laughed a little.
''Well," he said, ''mother will forgive
my cOminga week too soon, think. We
had a short and most comfortable voyage
How well, how very well you both look -
ooh! we've nothing to trouble our good
looks, except our boys wandering pro-
clivities," replied his father.
"EscOtte, don't 90 again, my darling;
can't stand it another time" his mother
asks, woman-ike, Selling her best oppor.
tunity.
''Let him be tonight, Mary; give him
his supper"
promise me, Escotte.'
Il have come to stay, dear mother; you
have borne with me well. / won't &C
again. There! you must not cry about
| it,"
But Mrs. Fearne was a person to cry
tor joy, and tonight her cup seemed full
to overlooking. Still the boys comfort
was not forgotten. Janet was found, and
| very soon with her help a second tea was
| arranged, and around it sat, verify, the
| happiest family in all the little city.
| TTO pw CONyrrN-rrur