Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-10

wealth which uses but never exhibits its
purse. Conducted by a man-servant to
the landing on the first floor, he found a
maid at the door OF the bOud0ir waiting
10 announce him. Mrs. Calender adj
yanced to welcome her guest in simple
evening dress perfectly suited to her age.
All that had looked worn and faded in her
fine face by daylight was now softly OBJ
scured by shaded lamps. Objects OF beauty
surrounded her, which glOwed with sub
dued radiance from their background OF
sober color. The influence of appearances
is the strongest of all outward influences
while it lasts. For the moment the scene
produced its impression on Ernest, IN
spite Of the terrible anXieties which con-
sumed him. Mrs. Calender in his office
was woman who had stepped out of her
appropriate sphere. Mrs. Calender in
her own house was woman who had
risen to new place in his estimation.
81 am afraid you don't thank me for
forcing you to keep your engagement"
she said, with her friendly tones and her
pleasant smile.
'Indeed / do thank YOU" he replied.
"G our beautiful house and your gracious
welcome have persuaded me into forget
ting my troublCs-for a WHILE"
The smile passed away from her face.
''Then it is true?" she said, gravely.
"Only too true"
She led him to a seat beside her, and
waited to speak again until her maid had
brought in the tea.
"Have you read my letter in the same
friendly spirit in which / wrote itY' she
asked when they were alone again.
81 have read your letter gratefully,
but
''But you don't know yet what | have
to say. Let us understand each other be-
fOrA .nbiapfiOnG OFT hpr
side. Win you tell me what your present
position is-at its worst? | can and will
speak plainly when my turn comes, il you
VIII honor me with your confidence. Not
if it distresses YOU" she added, observing
him attentively.
He was ashamed of his hesitatiOn-and
he made amends for it. "DO you thor
oughly understand meY' he asked, when
the whole truth had been laid before her
without reserve.
She summed up the result IN her own
words.
"If your overdue ship returns safely,
within month of this time, you can bOr-
row the money you want without difficult
ty. If the ship is lost, you have no alter
native (when the end of the month comes }
but to accept loan from me or to Sus-
pend payment. Is that the hard truth?'
at is"
and the sum you require is-92O,
600 p
Yes"
Il have twenty times as much money as
that, Mr.. Lismore, at my sole disposition
one condition"
''The condition alluded to in your let
ter?'
Eyes"
''Does the fulfllment of the condition
depend in some way on any decision of
mine?'
"It depends entirely on YOU"
That answer closed his lips.
With a composed manner and steady
hand she poured herself out a cup of tea.
81 conceal ii from yOu,' she said, "but
| want confidence. Here she pointed to
the cup) is the friend Of women, rich or
poor, when they are in trouble. What l
have now to say Obliges me to speak in
praise of myself. / don't like it-let me
get it over as soon as i can. My husband
was very fond of me; he had the most alb
solute confidence in my discretion, and in
my sense of duty to him and to myself.
His last words before he died were words
that thanked me for making the happiness
of his life. AS soon as had in some de-
gree recovered, after the atlliction that
had fallen on me, his lawyer and executor
produced a copy of his will and said there
were two clauses in it which my husband
had expressed a wish that | should read.
1t is needless to say that l obeyed."
She still controlled her agitation-but
she was now unable TO conceal it. Ernest
made no attempt to spare her.
Am | concerned in this?' he asked.
''Yes. Before | tell YOU why, | want to
know what you would do-in a certain
case which l am unwilling even to sup
pose. | have heard of men, unable to
pay the demands made on them, who be-
gan business again, and succeeded, and in
course of time paid their creditors"
"And you want to know if there is any
likelihood Of my following their exam
pleY' he said. "Have you also heard of
men who have made that second effort
who have failed again-and who have
doubled the debts they owed to their
brethren in business who trust them? l
knew one of those men myself. He COM
mitted suicide"
She laid her hand for a moment on his.
Il understand YOU she said. "lf ruin
comes
IF ruin comes" he interposed, "a man
without money and without credit can
make but one last atonement. Don't speak
of il now.'
She looked at him with horror.
II didn't mean that!' she said.
''Shall we go back TO what you read in
the WHIP" he suggested,
'Yes, if you will give me minute to
compose myself