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

CHAPTER VII.
Mr. Escotte Fearne believed that he
read his book constantly after his short
talk with Charlie. His eyes saw each
word and line, but his intelligence was
busy with another study. He was veXed.
uerpleXed, annoyed. This beautiful
Young girl, this child of seventeen years.
had been cruelty wr0nged. Everybody
had COnSpired In the evil. Her curious
household, from her elegant invalid father
To Marin Marg'et, had wrought the evil.
But chief among the unfair and unkind
had been his excellent father and mother.
The reason was potent enough. Charlie
was to them what she was TO everybody
else, charming, lOyable, winsOme. ire
sistible, and they had weakly rSuccumbed
90 the spell. That she had a fine, gener-
GUS nature, that she had a strong. soulful
character, and that she had quick and
comprehensive intelligence, he easily saw;
and. added to this, the allurements of a
beauty fresh and sweet as the earliest
flowers Of spring. But, with it all, she
was neglected, spoiled, undIsciplined.
What a gross error! What neglected
and abused responsibility! He felt inn
patient OF the wrong, resentfuI of the in
Jury. What a noble, unseltish, lovely
woman she might have been madel His
eyes wandered to her face and figure. She
was not only pretty, but her beauty had
that rare setting and establishment
known as grace, and. leaning on one
white hand, she had all uncOnsciously as
umed pose worthy Of permanence at an
artists hand.
For the very first time in all his students
life EscOtte regretted that he had not a
wise and cultivated wife into whose kind
care Die might beg to place this girl; that
he might by judiciOus care undo the evil.
lit was only passing thought. His best
effort now would be to control his fathers
partial tOndness. But something surely
must be done, and, occupied with this
delicate problem, he did not notice the
lapse of time until both he and Charlie
were startled by his fathers voice in the
open hall.
The tableaU in the study met the ap-
prevail of the good dOctOr-his sweet
pupil quietly dOmesticated with Esc0tte
as janitor and mentor. He smiled with
pleasure and satisfaction.
so! so. You two are cumming al
ready. Charlie, my darling, he is an old
ish man, a little set in his bOOkIsh ways,
but not bad, not bad, my pet. How do
YOU like him on short nOticeT'
Charities saucy, ready tongue makes
answer:
"Not over we'll, uncle Henry. Who is
hes7
"Who is he? Why, Escotte, how is
thisT7
The young man came forward, and with
graceful dignity asked a formal introduce
ton to Miss Barrett. This his father,
counting the odd affair one of his sons
many eccentricities, gave with sufficient
empressement, and then laughing heartily
said:
"It Is possible that during this long
morning EscOtte has sat there stern and
silent, but III wager something Charlie
baH haT Now hasn't - cfr
''She certainly has; but, to do her JUS
tice, she allowed me to reply"
The old man looked at his favOrite with
especial fOndness. He knew well what
waited for her. He had just left her
fathers bedside where he had found her
future guardian, and his soul was troubled
for his child.
"EscOtte,' he said, ''she is not especial
lv struck with YOU: but what say you to
hery' and putting his hand under her chin
he drew her pretty face into more con-
spicuOus notice. "DOst like this picture,
boy?"
EHer face is passing fair. That is a
fortunate chance heritage for woman,
but gentleness should be the immediate
jewel of her soul. Have you looked 20
that, father?'
There was not a suspicion of fiattery in
his tone, nor a touch of unkindnesS in his
manner. He spoke gently, gravely, even
sadly, and, whilst his father listened with
thoughtful interest, Charles irrepressi-
bic tongue made ready answer:
He has taught me everything good,
Mr.. EscOtte. That | am willful and
spoiled is not his fault. Pray. hold me
answerable for my sins and no other"
Tt was not easy to lay any hard charge
at Charities door just now. She was so
frank. SO truthful, so generous! Escotte
felt more like compromising with many
shortcomings in combination with so
much sweetness, but it would be entirely
unlike him to yield to so INDUCED an i'm
pulse. He only said:
Try to match the cOmeliness with the
gentleuess, little cousin. Father, your
time is gone; L shall take Charlie back
home"
No, sir; 1 will keep my scholar to din
ner. Her aunt has SO decreed and 1 am to
enforce her viii and Wishes"
His son turned grave face toward the
Girl.
Your staying here will give US all
pleasure, Charlie; Will 1t bring you into
trouble with the home administrations
"Certainly,' she replied, with laughing
emphasis.
Then you must not stay; L will take
You home, and another time we viii ar
range before hand to keep you"
why, | never thought one moment of
staying" she exclaimed, mot one mo-
ment; l am equal to much, to very much
in the way of reprOOf, but not to the lively
encounter which just this dlSObedience
viii bring about. But don't go back with
me, Mr.. EscOtte; please don't. 1t is a
long walk, and / always spend it in a
solemn retrOspectiOn of my mistakes; it
is very wholesome for me.D
1t was evident enough she was sincere
she did not want the gentleman's COM
pany. He let the subject drop wisely
enough.
Why don't you call me cousin:'' he
asked.
sob! please don't be a kinsman. Pos
slbly, If ! call you mister we may get
along after a manner, but to say cousin is
to open hOstilities at the very outset
LET it be mister, then,'' he said. ''We
must be friends at any cost"
81 can't tell about that. l think you
are going to take an interest in finding
fault with me like all the rest. But I'll
try to tolerate you for my uncle Henry's
sake. There. l am going to kiss my
aunt down stairs, and then l am gomez
She touched her uncle's forehead with
her lips, and in another instant is out OF
sight.
With her went the happy smile on he1
uncle's face. He looked tired and
troubled. EscOtte took quick note Of the
change.
Father your visit has disturbed you.
you are not too tired, L am anxious t
hear the results"
The doctor sat long minute looking
down at the carpet perplexed and anxious
At last he said:
''lf 1 had been as wise for Charles
good as l have been fond of her, should
nave written and hurried you home Sly
months ago. Between US we might have
ayerted her troubles; now it is too late
too late! i have neglected her interests
my poor, little, mOtherless Charlie!'
Entered according to act Of Congress IN tn,