Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-07

from Inelr view Dy Jne thIck foliage,
Eagerly looked up towards the upper
balconies, hoping for something that
would aid me, and, vague as were my
hopes, they had taken some form during
the past few moments. | hoped from
some faint signs that Prof. Williams
knew Of our being there, and that he
would try to communicate with me, Nv
eager longing was soon repaid by seeing
him step out on Que of the balconies.
Quick as thought beckoned for him to
come down. It seemed an age before he
reached me, for my heart-throbs were
painful. My companions were still some
distance from me, when he came up
through an opposite path.
''Oh! mon amip' burst out from my full
heart.
So often he had asked me to call him
friend in his own expressive language,
and l found it easy at that moment. His
face is full of pain, yet he said half smil-
ing:
swell, Daisy
told him understood all, only want
ed him to tell me how long Harry had
been in such a state. / could well under
stand why he looked so haggard after one
night Of horror. l felt chills of dread
creeping over me at the stirred recollec-
tiOns of what l had witnessed.
'EYour mother" l said, sis too i'll to
of her home. He must be moved. Oh, do
take him in to the old lodge so near to Us
that | can 90 with our faithful servants
and attend him. Say! Quick, for every
moment is precious"
We heard them coming and still he
would not speak. AT last he askd ne to
trust him as l had always done. re-
mOnstrated.
sit is a cruel trust that places a dread
hnr6n~- npd YlnrbQnC
the life OF one so dear to you. My soul
recoils from such selfshness. l cannot
consent to his remaining here. Don't
drive me desperate, please.''
l must have surprised him, for he said:
''SOften those wild eyes, or your secret
will be out"
They were upon us, and 1 was trying
not to look wild while Jessie was meet
ing the "liOn" for the first time. She
was at no loss for words and chartered to
him, while l was glad enough to fall into
the rear with quiet Miss MilanO. 1t was
when we were stepping into the cars that
he whispered to me:
"Make ready for him.
No sooner were we seated than Jessie
poured forth her emotions.
sob, how delightfully."- my romance is
filling up. Such sounds to hear-such
sights to see! Were you not Mortified,
Minnie?"
Sick at heart as l was it was really
amusing to hear her. She did not wait my
responses, but clattered on:
EThen how eXQuisitely handsome he is
Such a marbIe-like brow and rare-IOOking
eyes; just such as we read of, and his
youth, too. How ridiculous to call him
PrOfessOr-he cannot be more than twen-
ty-four ut farthest. Oh, do tell me, Min
ME, what do you thing Of him and that
dreadful mystery. Really my blood ran
cold. l would be afraid to go there as
you did every day. Did you ever explore
those upper regiOns?"
She paused at last, and ] was obliged to
make some reply. She exclaimed at my
lack of interest. found it hard even to
explain to myself, why L had never in any
way attempted to unraVel the mystery of
Aunt Miriam's cabinet in the upper room
at Strassmere.
Now / was farther than ever from peer
ing into what was yelled away by fami-
ly had learned to honor. ] discovered
instinctively that it would pain them if 1
prObed into their history, and 50 | made it
a sealed book even to myself l determined
to acknowledge the truth Of Harrv's
shame to Jessie if by my silence l con-
tirmed her belief in the mysterious ru-
mors, but she gave me TO opening for
such a disclosure. Our short ride was
over before l could bring my shrinking
lips to publish our family sorrow. l had
leisure on my solitary walk towards home
to remember and repent bitterly of how
large a share my own brother might have
in the work of confirming reports so
cruel.
Father was at home awaiting me in
one of his jolliest humors. How slowly the
evening wore on to me. Not until he re-
tired could l hope to accomplish what
desired. How wildly recall the songs
sang for him that evening! He asked
me for music, which was not usual for
him.
How strange was hismood when he could
not possibly have known what was to
come! Father Lowell the old tunes, and it
was to please him [ sang. AS sat be-
fore the piano wondering impatiently
when father was going to set me at liber-
ty, my pet Robbie came and began his
song above my window. Father always
listened to his songs, so he told me to shut
the piano and come to him. He had a
way of drawing me tenderly to him and
looking fixedly at me just before saying
goodnight. This time he drew me down
and observed the necklace which was
still around my throat (nOw unveiled by
the handkerchief). He said, as he had
done over and over before:
''Miriam was handsome old girl once
"a trim sailor. Hold by her cOlors fast,
child. She saved your old Captains
life."
Something was full in my throat so that
| could not talk, but l remember well
how l gave him one of my childish squeez-
ings about the neck in one of nv tender
est ways. L am glad Of that-even now.
/ slipped out softly down the back stair
case, and went into our family servants
room.
They were man and wife-a sable-faced
couple who had served us faithfully for
years. l never feared that Simon or
Dinah would betray any trust, and per-
haps that was why they were faithful to
me. Both had helped us nurse Harry
through his first night of shame, so that
it did not take me long to make them I'M
derstand what wanted them TO do. The
old Lodge, as it was called, was mOnu-
ment to the first established Masonic
Lodge in our town. 1t was not often used
for any purpose, and / knew the doors
were not locked. My pleadings were soon
etfectual in persuading Simon and Dinah
to go with me and arrange a cot in one of
the rooms. | mufiied my figure in a long
waterproof and yelled myself closely, en-
joining upon them also the great need for
hiding our work. Father must not know.
Strange that could have been so brave,
50 lost to self! | need not 90 through with
the narrowing details. After awhile they
came. My friend did not bring Harry
without help. The foreign servent, who
had just called him Professor to me, ac-
companied him, or rather they brought
the maniac between them.
1 was not allowed to remain long af-
ter their arrival. 1t was arranged that
Simon was to remain, and Dinah was to
be messenger through the night to me.
II have done this much to appease your
self upbraidings," said Prof. Williams to
me, as he led me out and told Dinah to
take me home. "Now leave the rest to
me. l will remain here for the present,
and will not deceive you as to results. If
Harry lives l believe that all will yet he
right. Take heart and guard your home"
Full well l knew his meaning, and did
guard it, but ah, with woe to me.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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