Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-20

4
CHAPTER MIL
since Marin Marg'et had given over her
responsibility in her young mistress in
terest into Mr.. Fearne's hands she had X-
perienced a great relief, as she repeated
often to herself: "Iie is edicated, and be
is rich, and he is white, and the Lord He
knows he is the one TO look after this bust
ness and not me.p
50 she rested from her labOrs some
what. That Is, she relaxed somewhat of
Ter yigilant watch Of Mr.. Beltham. Still
she had him in the corner of her eve. as
it were, all the time, and she had heard
aim send his mother upstairs after her
child. Now Marin Marg'et had had all
ner life long habit, not uncommon with
ler people. of listening to any cOnyersa-
ton which savOred in the least of pri-
yate or confidential import, and many
were the valuable bits she had picked up
I'D this laWless way. So she stationed
herself where she believed she could
pverhear every word. But she had not
calculated with her usual acumen.
To her tantaliZed senses came only the
names, ''Mr. Fearne and Miss Weston"
and. hearing Charlie 90 so quietly to her
room, she had concluded that nothing of
interest was Transporting and she had as
well 20 out and 90 to bed. So she retired
10 her rest, slept sOundly, awOke before
daylight to assist in getting young Mrs.
Beltham of, and, when the house was
quiet again, opened Miss Charities door.
nothing doubling nor fearing. Her quick
Glance soon fell on the empty bed, and
The various indications Of packing and
departure around her. Her child was
-0ne-Of this there could be no reasOna-
blv dOubt-but where: Fora moment she
stood overcome and helpless; then the
jeep-red blood leaped up into her dusky
cheeks. She raised one hand with terri
Die emphasis toward the ceiling, and said
aloud:
Fore the blessed God in heaben Al
bert Beltham bottom Of dis. Yes, he is
at the bottom of dis-and ! know I'm
Christian woman of good standin' in de
Babtist Church, but if harm comes to
my child, / kill him sure as my name
Marg'etl Fore God in heaben | Will"
And nobody looking at the flashing eyes
and clinched fist could doubt her purpose
one moment. She had an instinct in her
I'D kill, and she could and would have
Drained her victim on the spot. Her up
lifted brawny arm looked a capable
weapon. Wen for the suave gentleman
th3t he was safely out Of the way when
this blind, undisciplined rage was upon
her.
With a sort Of frantic haste she
ierked open drawer after drawer, talking
Iebemently the while.
Gone! all de clean close gone. child's
rum off, run of Outern her own lawful
parents house. driY of by nO-cOunt poor
White tTasnl OH my child my poor,
mistreated child! Boots, hat, satchel, all
zone, Whereg Bless God! whereof
She sat down one moment by the empty
drawer, not to cry-Marm Marg'et never
cried-but to think, and to think out loud
as was her want.
y estiddy they was Begin of her to
so to-day with them, but she didn't,
that's mighty clear. HOWsOmebeVer, sue
went somewhere Lemme see. she
went yearly, say at o'clock. Whar dat
train 60; Hit 90 to MurTayYille. She
got no business at Murrayyille-she stop
ON de way. Lemme see! Lemme see!
Oar. | sees it, She gone out to Mount
Pleasant to old Miss Hands. But what
She want to 90 dar fur this yearly in the
yearE Hits hid from me, sure as l am
born to die"
She thought silently long time; them
moved with a sudden impulse, sprang to
her feet and said:
He is de one TO know eff any does"
and. closing the doors, she went down
and out of the silent house bareheaded
and barearmed up to the residence Of DIR.
Fearne.
Elaine We're lay unconscious a long
time-sO long, indeed, that a physician
was sent for and came before she Enclosed
her eyes. She had gone out and under
taken terrible duty without strength for
the strain, and she had tainted under the
trial. Only her strong soul and will
power had borne her through it. She
needed only rest and care, and she had
IL. No tenderer parents ever leant over
the couch of a suffering daughter than
did the good doctor and his wife over
hers. No brother ever felt more anxious
soiicitude than EscOtte Fearne for this
fair stranger. And it served a hopeful
purpose. After an hour or two she fell
into a sweet, refreshing sleep, which last
ell until the morning sun shOne brightly
into her room, and she awOke grateful and
better. Mrs. Fearne was early by her
bedside with n dainty little breakfast
and words Of kindness and encourage
ment.
" on are not to get up, Ellen; you are
TO rest and sleep the day away; perhaps,
tomorrow"
At this moment her sons voice is heard
at the door
How does Miss Weston feel this morn
ing, mOther:"
"Oh. she is better, my son; much bet
ter"
"Can you come into my room one mo-
ment, mOtherE'
.-Oh! yes. What is it," Mrs. Fearne
asks, seeing her sons perpleXed express
sion.
"Why, I've just heard something l
don't i'm the least understand. You know
I went TO see Charlie last night after hav-
ing written her that l was coming. and
that id Beltham-"
My SOM"
Excuse me. mother, the man is such
rascal / can't bear to mention his name.
Well. be told me she was not in-I hardly
believed him then-and came home. Just
as got back, yOU remember, Ellen W eStOn
was taken i'll. Now, Jane tells me that
at that very moment Charlie came into
the ti0wer-yard and stood at the study
window one moment. then ran away as
last as she could home again. Jane SAYS
she could swear twas She. Now. what
m the world does it all mean! Could she
have rung the door bell again and again
we were so excited and busy we mightn't
nave heard-and then, despairing of get
ting in, have gone back hOmes Just
think of il, mother in the night aloner'
why, l can make nothing of it, Es-
cote, you must 90 Immediately"
''0f course, l am going Immediately.
But here is janet
The servant girl was coming up the
steps closely followed by Marin Marg'et.
Mr.. Fearne saw instantly that something
was amisS.
Where is Charlie. Marg'et:" ne asked,
eXcitedly.
That's what l am come to AK YOU. sir.
She not at home. l dunno where Mr.. Bel
than sent her. God only can keep up wild
sich as he
Taking her suddenly by the arm he
said, whilst every vestige of color f0rsoOk
his face:
Tell me, for Gods sake, all you know,
Marget,"
She told him with some inevitable pro-
hXlty all She knew and all she even sur
missed, and. when she had finished. with
out word he started down the stairs.
w here are you gong. my sOn:'' eager
ly asks his excited mother.
Entered according TO act of Congress IN the
year 1854 by J. II. Estill. in the Office OF the
Librarian Of Congress at Washington.