Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-03

CHAPTER N.-CONTINUED
The only glimpse the reader has had of
Mr.. Escotte Fearne has been taken as he
walked by Charities side in the dim OBJ
security of early starlight. Seen under a
bright gas burner and uncovered, he is
certainly a noticeable man. He shows
somewhat Of his mothers cOlOring, has
her silky black hair, and certainly has
brilliant dark eyes. But that is all. He
is maryelOusly like the fine old father who
sits by him tonight. broad forehead
smooth and white is common to both; also
a straight and marked profile; but the
mouth, especially when smiling or speak
ing, is identical with these two. The
young man is heavily bearded-the old
man clean-shaVed; but the most casual
observer would write them father and
son, and look to the lower part of the face
for confirmation. EscOtte is DR.. Fearne
at thirty, and DIR. Fearne at thirty was a
very handsome man. The son has only
one advantage, and it seems q little unfair
to have it. When he is away his fathers
voice is called clear, rich and sweet;
when the two converse together the sons
voice is clearer, richer, sWeeter. This
voice. so we'll mOdulated, so suggestive,
and so grateful in its indications, seems, as
it is, part Of the mans elegance. 1t
could not be possible to other than gen.
tleman. A villain may speak softly and
smoothly, but no untrue voice ever knew
just such clear and trustworthy ca
dences. Hearing it not only excited adj
mratiOn; it suggested confidence. If a
soft low voice is IAN excellent thing in
a woman" a true voice, which challenges
comment and criticism, is gift not to be
despised in a man. As the two men con-
trast tonight the fathers face gives. per-
haps, the happiest tokens. The heat and
4 burden of the day has SOftened the stern
lines about the mouth, and has, as it We're,
melted into gentleness certain very
patent indications OF a cOmbatlVe nature.
With the son the discipline of time has
not yet accomplished its work; a little
more attTitlOn is needed, and the anchor
ating process Will prove less easy. The
older life has become very gentle; the
''miXed elements in his nature have
toned down into unusual serenity. The
stern father has given the world a sterner
son. Stlll this dangerous quality has not
been and viii not be positively hurtful. 1t
is under the absolute direction of an in
telligence broad in its reach and generous
IN its fullness. Men OF all sorts invaria-
bly, respect EscOtte Fearne. His equals
love him, and his imitatOrs would f1atter
him if thew dared. Still he is not exactly
what is called lovable. That is, one must
live close by him, and find access to the
humanity and gentleneSs which underlie
his handsome stern exterior, know his
strong and great heart well. Under the
pleasant influences of the hour, the ira
grant aroma of the best cigars, and the
resttUl ease of a home fireside, albeit it is
still summer, the father and son converse
within a broad range.
The last long year of absence is re-
called, of course, in a sketchy sort of
way. The details wait coming hours of
leisure, but the great events, marriages.
births, deaths, are given a transient touch,
and the whole importance of a twelve
- to
comment, The mother says nothing, alb
sOlutely nothing. She only takes the
heart comfort, the certainty, the fruitiOn
Of the hour. She is entirely happy. Es-
cote, not as known through memory, or
mails, or kilograms, but in actual health
ful, handsome, bodily presence, is with
her. His talk has lost none of its old
plesantness; his voice none of its old
music. 1t Is enough to look and listen.
Mrs. Fearne is far too happy to speak
From broader topics they narrow down to
family matters, and EscOtte asks at last a
leading question:
"YOu have written me, father, of Judge
Barrett's hopeless condition; is he still
livjng?"
Yes; but only just living. He is fail
ing fast, very fast. All! l must 90 there
early tomorrow morning. He will not
be there to see me many more mornings"
He Will leave quite a young wife and
his children. How manyhas he? A wild
boy who was gone off somewhere when l
was last here, and your little willful
spoiled pet, Charlie. Has he other chill
dren?"
ono; none but poor Hugh, who is a wan
derer still, and my dear, beautiful, precious
Charlie. All! you will love her. She is
Welll well! mother, tell EScOtte what
Charlie is" he said, whimsically, appeal
ing to his wife, as if it were an act of
pure generosity to permit her to do the
hOnOrs on this all-embracing subject.
Mrs. Fearne, thus appealed to, gave her
son most unfeminine answer; that is,
she was concise, succinct and pointed,
Where the subject might admit of many
adjectives and eXclamations.
''She is the apple of your fathers eye,
EscOtte."
Just this she said; and no more. The
young man smiled in an amused sort of
way to himself-a vision of an angry
and self-Willed maiden, fierce of speech
and threatening of gesture, passed before
mis- eyes. Even the Charlie he had recOg-
nlZed in the darkness, and he said:
''SOme people have been known to have
an actual preference for the variety called
crab apples. Does father really enjoy such
decided acid?''
''Why, Escotte, how you talk! You
surely don't mean to call our darling
souri, Was she so unfortunate as to i'm
press you so as a very little mOtherless
child years agO?'
Il only recall her then, mother, as a
little beauty, who, between a negligent
father, weak stepmOther, and an eX-
ecutlYe grandmother, was in a fair Wav
to be ruined. You see don't even men
ton dOting old uncle and aunt into
whose kind eyes she was even then throw
ing no little dust.'
MY boy, you know a great many
things. You are a wise man for your
years; but you don't know Charlie Bar
rett."
''What is she, father, other than 1 have
describedT' he asked, no little amused at
MS fathers sudden warmth.
The doctor arose from his chair to en-
phaslze his answer.
'She has a mans brains, sir. Tve
yet to see her equal in that particular"
Nv elll' he answered, encOuraginglV
"A brave, strong woman's character :"
"Welln
And the beauty! All! mother, tell Es-
cote how she lOOks.''
mo, doctor; you have begun; 90 on"
''She is the prettiest girl l have seen
since my wife was eighteen. Now, what
would you call that combination ~
81 should call it a combination and a
form, indeed, where every God hath
seemed to set his seal to give the world
assurance Of a charming girl"
Just exactly so, my boy; just exactly
so. DOst like the pictureT'
EscOtte recalled again his starlight
walk, and the girl he had seen in dim out
line only. The beauty which might have
atOned somewhat for the temper he could
not see, and, more and more diverted by
ms fathers Partially, he answered,
laughingly;
Il am going to like it well when l get
al the points, no doubt. You know / am
little fastidiOus about a wOman's tenn
per, and you haven't touched that yet.
Matching her other marvellous charms,
suppose she is 'as divine a thing as WO-
man can be made in this uncOnsidered
triie."
Temper. Did you say temper, Es-
cOtteY''
That's what l mean. Pm little old
Entered according to act Of Congress IN the
year 1884 by j. II. Estill, in the office Of tn
Librarian Of Congress az Washington.