Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-28

GU nave mother. then" | said,
| mournfully. sob! let me beg for her sake
that you viii forsake your wicked ways"
remembered what liquor had caused
me to suffer and it made my whole nature
soften. 1t was his time to be silent, while
my thoughts grew more intense each mo-
ment. Oh! to save this hardened, immor-
tai soul. He must be in some desperate
strait If money could keep him from sui
eide. Now that l regarded him without
terror; saw that his dress was that of a
gentleman; that his hand was not like
that of a rufian. The curling waves of
hair about his face might be the pride of
some proud mother.
would you try to do right once more
if help you out Of your trOubles?'
The gold Eugene gave me was still I'M
used in my purse, and how willingly
would give it to help him out Of sin.
All at once he raised his eyes and re-
garded me as if in wonder.
Threats did not move you; the peril of
your husband did not move you; even
death you were willing to face; yet to win
the soul of a wretch like me you melt.
There are tears in your eyes that were
only moment ago so full of defiance.
thought my heart was stone, but-but
thought no one cared"
''NOt your mother? Had you forgotten
her undying love%'
A shadow darkened his face.
Il am a hardened wretch; it seemed as
if a mother must care for me anyhow, but
for a stranger to feel kindly for me, one
whom l have dared to waylay, me, an out
law! Strangel strange!"
Ii was time that he let me go. l would
try once more to free myself Taking the
gold from my purse handed it to him say
ing:
Take that-it is all l have"
He smiled bitterly, but did not touch it.
''That would scarcely slake thirst for
an instant, if it were water. Can you
speak untruths and be so earnest to do
gOOdg You are an heiress and vet offer
me those trifling coins! What would you
say if told you that hardened sinner,
such as /, is now after me with the fiercP,-
ness of bloodhound to force me to ray
thousands won from me at. the gamU, o Ia
Bile? l am not so low but that vyant to
pay an honest debt"
What flashes of sooTn 1 felt darting
from my eyes as he spoke of his honest
uebts! He read my thoughts, and after
awhile cried out as he strobe pEi
''Blast the money and the man, too ,;
foOlv' l IL
remembered the unused treasure that
Aunt Miriam LETT me, and called out to
him family:
''Imay help you yet"
He turned around and stood listening
with his gun across his shoulders and
both arms twined about it. The haggard
despair of his face was gone, but the
hopelessness it told was even sadder to
see. 1t moved me to repeat:
Il can help you to the sum you need if
you Will wait until tomorrow; that is, l
Will try to do all | can for you, only ask
ing in return that you will sin no more
willingly"
CAY that last word was well added"
he cried, tiercely. II can do anything
that man can do except to keep from sin.
MIN, Who can, ladyW
"You can try every moment that you
live; l ask NJ more"
"Then l will try"
My heart leaped with Joy, for there was
the dawn of a better life away down in
the depths of his eyes, felt then that l
could give all my fortune to save this one
soul that was dear to his mother and his
God. / was sure that Eugene would APP
prove my purpose, and said with earnest |
pride:
''My husbands noble purposes agree |
with every poor effort make to do right. |
and he will, am sure, aid me in this"
Just heavens, nOY' calculated the /
young man. 81 viii shoot myself before /
you betray me to that lost friend OF my |
boyhoOd. Never shall he know how low |
have fallen, Madame, know the man
you call husband far better than you ever
can. Let him but know that my hand has |
ever touched yOA !; that nay lips have ever
dared to address you; let him bat dream
of this meeting, sgnd we both are lost as to
peace, because he will try to kill me and
l will not die without a struggle. If you
hint to him of your knOwingO of me it will
work out my ruin. An hour ago l would |
still have urged you to give me money, as
a starving man would ask for bread; now
it seems 10 me the world is changed, or
my wicked soul has grown cowardly. l
Will accept your help en- some conditions |
as my situatlon is desperate one and [
cannot start on the right road as lam J. If
you will comply with these you can come
here tomorrow and bury what you bring
at the foot of that tree where l saw yea
first. l will never again expose you 80
the contamination of my presence"
What are Jour conditions? Speak
quick, in pity"
''That this transaction shall be a secret
between you and me until l can repay |
every cent you lend"
1t was strange how quickly my mind |
took in all the possibilities before me-the |
dreadful ones as well as the brighter ones
that might end in the reformation Of this /
man. After short time of solemn reflec- /
ton, in which he was watching me almost /
lGNGACnbly IL SCG1kSus lOI ne WAS IIduS~
tormed) }, 1 said to him:
''If you find either money or jewels here I
by noon tomorrow you will accept them /
as loan, and l will keep the conditions,
trusting that God Will bless the faith Iput I
in your word by bringing you to live in |
Him."
He shouldered his rifle and touched his |
hat.
'Your husbands secret is safe from |
this hour; no vandals shall cross your /
threshold. Believe me, l hold the power /
IN my own hands, and l will 90 valiantly t
to work to turn the tide of evil reports. /
Only do you watch and wait and all will /
be well with him and his household. Hap I
Ply the husband of so true and good a |
wife,"
Another moment and he was speeding |
away over the groand that lay between |
us and the road. watched him until he |
scaled the rustic wall that bounded the |
lawn and then he was lost to view.