Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-20

CHAPTER III.-CONTINUED.
The business in which Mr.. Beltham is
supposed 10 be engaged is commonly
known under the comprehensive name Of
cotton not the cultivation Of the sta
pie, but some sort Of mysterious traffic
with 1t in its more concrete form. 1t is
"A business that seems to be subject to
curious fluctuations, at one season filing
the exchequer OF its vOtaries with delight
tul aud gratifying suddenness, and the
next as capTiciOusly showing another
phase of fortune or misfortune. Indeed
nothing. perhaps, short Of actual gamb-
ling seems less the result Of accurate cal
eulatiOn- To this particular gentleman
IL, the before mentioned cotton, had proven
a most ungrateful interest. In the last
two seasons his losses had so far out
weighed his gains that he had almost con-
ciuded TO discontinue all further hand
ling Of futures. and turn mis- undivided at
tenti0n to matters Of happier promise and
nearer results. His means were far more
limited than even his mother had ever sus-
pected, though. in a general way, he had
spoken 10 her of the last winter" as
disastrous" But, not even to her did he
ever mention his later schemes, though
they were quite as we'll understood as if
thet had been thoroughly cJnVassed he
tween them. They had always been mar
Yelously alike, these two, wise in their
own concerts, and fan of "a sort of loyalty
20 each other, yet each preserving Curl
Gus reLiceuce as far as speech is the IN
terpretrr OF openly worked designs. There
had been though between them this very
slight difference: Into the mothers man
agemcnt had interviewed very small
amount of what is commonly called
heart. The sons life had been guiltless
of amy such admiXture. He lived, worked,
schemcd and flattered for himself He
would not have taken so much trouble for
any other person in the world, and ac-
knoWledged as much 10 himself. He did
not call his measureless selishness by
any pledsduter name. but rather glOried
i'm his worldly wisdom, and considered de-
VOtion at any other shrine as the absurd
outcome of the most egregjous folly. The
III fortune he bad encountered in his late
business transactions had not the effect
81 developing any more generous sentl-
meHts i'm his breast. If hIs earlier creed
needed any possible emphasis it had
found 1t in his disappOintments, and his
whole intent now was TO deliver himself
from the uncertainties of poverty, and ar
range a graceful and luxurious retire
meut for his coming years. He feels Il
sort of cheerful satisfaction this morning
rs he reviews his prospects. Things
seem certainly working well, marvclOusly
Well. the only problem seems now how
% bridge over the twelve months which
must intervene between this morning and
the easy contamination of his plans.
Upon his pleasant reverie his mother in
trudes at last.
You look very idle and very cOmfOrta-
BILE, Albert" she says.
Il am both idle and comfortable"
"YOu have made your visit to the
Judye?"
yes"
He had all mans aversion from detail
in conversation.
He knew his mother would want full
cOnHdance rs to the interview, and he
was determined not to be bored with it,.
She looked at him inquiringly. He looked
cOOlly out of the window.
"Well, my sony she questions at last.
He turned around in the arm chair i'm
patiently.
Mother, in brief, let me tell you all
that is worth knowing about my visit. lie
was delighted TO see me, and he won't live
eve days"
You think nOtf"
81 have said it,
And the wlllY'
81 shall look after that tonight"
There's no time to be LOST
mot an hour
'YOU are going to have trouble with
Charlie, Albert
mo; | am not"
Chow mistaken you are! You think
she Is "A seYenteen-year-Old child. She is
in years, but she has full grown brain.
Nobody ever outwitted her yet-nObOdy
ever Will. She fears nothing, and she
hates you.'
''She is going to be bewildering sort of
"A woman
That IS matter in which you have no
sort OF interest,"
'.Of course not" ne answered. quickly
lie is provoked with himself. He has
gone TOO far. He has almost allowed his
mother To know a thing he constantly de-
MES to himself. He thinks he cannot too
quickly disabuse her mind of such an i'm
precision.
About Charlie, mother, | don't feel
comfortable. | am to be her guardian
and must try to get some sort of influence
with hcr; hut She Is a terrible little piece,
high-tempered, arrogant, self-willed, ana
proud as Luciter. Ii she were Old enough
III marry her OIL to some fellow, and let
him have the happiness of breaking her
Will. / don't take TO the responsibility
cheeriuily, at all"
He spoke carelessly. but kept a watch
ful eve on his mothers face the while. she
only replied little dryly:
y think Annie is the first cOnsidera-
tion now"
IS annie - Tue uEbA CONSIDERATION.
Of course. What u comfortable world 1t
would he if ali women were like her,
pretty, gentle. and absolutely will-less."
"Annie makes a model wife,
''lncOmparaBlei'
Somethne i'm his voice seemed to CRATE
on his mothers feelings. Laying one hand
on his shoulder she whispered:
You love Annie. don't you, enough
for"
She paused, and, laughing little, he
quite enough OIL yes, quite
enough"
His mother looked content
Poor, dear AnnieI' she said, under her
breath
Her son got up aud stretched himself
lazrly.
Don't bother about her." he said.
Twelve months from to-day she viii be
absuruiy happy, and will be-well, good
mOruiugi l believe l viii walk into the
city and bring the Judges MALL
lie strOlled slowly out looking the en-
bOdiment OF elegant aud ing.OriOus ease
like person at peace with himself and
all mankind, and not ut all like cool,
selfish and deliberate schemer. His
mother looked at HIM thOughtfuily. but.
being herself a worker rather than
dreamer, soon went about the muItitari-
GUS duties which environ the managing
mead OF Well-dppOluJeu establishment.
AS the day grew older the master, in his
room. began to feel the effect of his MORN
ing visit. He had INDUCED in too much
talk, too much thought, and too much
consequent excitement. His little stock
Of vitality had been closely taxed, and he
suffered The inevitable prostratiOn. He IS
painfully nervous and irritable, and will
allow the presence of no one but his quiet
and lOw-voiced wife. Nature has fitted
her we'll for her office. She is calm, self
controlled, and, whilst deeply deprecating
her husbands suffering, not rendered in
efficient by the pitless anxiety a loving
wife would feel under such circumstances.
Judge Barrett knew himself To be eX-
acting. and knew that be might make any
sort OF draft on her patience, hut he was
far from being uugrateful. lie valued her
illustrations at their full worth, and
every dav regretted her enforced seclu-
sion and constant care. He looked at her,
when the parOxysm had passed, as she
nOiseiessly tidied the room and made
'Entered according TO act OF Congress IN the
year 1894 by j. IL. Estill, in the Office Of the
Librarian Of Congress at Washington.