Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-09

her and listened to her talk. She was a
pretty new study, and he set himself with
all dlllgence to lind her out. Breakfast is
over at last, and, as they adjourn to the
study, Mrs. Fearne very quietly asks:
IAN to hear the important business.
my son! or had better retire to the sit
ting-roOm?"
Mother" he said, a little struck with
her grave tone, ''Of course you must hear
it; and, Charlie, where in the world are
you gOing?
hate business
lie made no answer, but caught her hand
and led her in, and she would have been
sort of female Samson to have thrown
on his strong, firm grasp. So, not particu-
Iarly caring. she went in and took the
seat he offered by his side on the sofa.
'Charlie, we will soon be through with
this, and you and L viii drive him out,
lock the door and see what Horace has to
say about it,
'.Ohl yes, sir,' she answered, in all in
nocence.
'sFather." his son began, rather grave
". 'syou told to me few days ago that
it was not good tor man to live alone, and
agreeing with you entirely, l am going to
be married. Sit still, Charlie; you know
YOU cannot 90 if | choose to hold yOu.7
"God be thankedr' exclaimed the ex-
cited old man. ''When, Escotte?'
just as soon as it is practicable"
"WhO will be your wife, Escotte? ?"
quietly asks the mother, great light
dawuing on her peTpleXities.
"Think of the lOveliest woman you and
my father know, and you can easily tell"
DR.. Fearne only looked happy and be-
wildered. Mrs. Fearne looked at the girl
at her sons side. She had made an effort
to run away, but strong hand had held
her with resistless force, and a strong, pro-
tecting glance full of love and tenderness
had babe her rest content. She had sub
mitted, as he knew she would, and though
her cheeks were scarlet, and though her
head was bowed, she sat motionless. She
had found her master!
Without a word Mrs. Fearne got up
and put two arms around the girls
neck.
ooh! Charlie! Charlie! is it youY' she
said, tearfully.
Certainly it is Charlie, and no other,''
her son said, laughing little now. as he
cOOlly took her from his mothers arms
into his own. Il suppose father is disap-
pointed as he says nothing"
The happy shock was rather slow reach
ing DR.. Fearne's intelligence. Somehow
his thoughts had been too very far from
such happy consummation to be brought
back readily; but the strong evidence at
last left nothing to doubt. He was too
much overcome to speak; only, with his
head slightly bowed, he walked softly up
and down, up and down the small room;
then, without having given Charlie even
so much as look he turned full upon his
son, and said sternly;
Are you good enough for her, sir? An
swer me that; you know best"
1t was firm and formidable question
from a stern father to a stern son, but it
was met with a quick answer and full,
answering glance.
Il shall be faithful, father" he said.
There was the perfect guarantee Of full
tillment in the young mans eyes and
voice.
Grasping his hand his father said, with
q voice as clear as his sons own:
Il believe you; | know you WHIP
Then. with a smile sweet and tender
enough to be given to a pretty child, he
said:
Come with me, my daughter. | want
you by yOurselfa little while" and led her
oil somewhere.
What he said on this happy morning to
his darling was always held sacred be-
tween them. Never in all the years that
come would Charlie rehearse it even to her
best and dearest.
.'Escotte," said the mother, ''don't re-
sent your fathers taking your treasure
from you now. Remember, she is
yours for life; his, perhaps, only for a
time"
Il am naturally little tried, mother,
but truly, l like her to be with him even
now"
You look so happy; so radiant, my
SON."
"Aye!" he said, with a happiness
that almost makes the heart afraid''
At this moment a servant is announced
with a note from Mrs. Beltham, insisting
that her dear Charlie return Immediately.
as her stay had already seemed so long,
etc, etc. Mr.. Fearne answered the note,
saying that Charlie was particularly en-
gagged with his father now; but that he
would bring her a little later.
As the servant retired his mother said:
My son, be careful never to offend
Mrs. Beltham; she can and will do you
and Charlie harm if she is crossed
He only laughed.
- Shall 1 bend low, and in bondsman's KEY,
With bated breath and whispering humble
ness say thls:'
On! no, mother; never fear. 1 shall
checkmate this strong willed woman
yet"
The next two fall months with their
glorious days, their brilliant skies, and
their perfect weather proved the very hap
piest Charlie had ever known.
She seemed to have walked suddenly
from a careless girl to a loving and all
sorbed woman. She fancled that in all
the world of romance there had never
been just such lover as hers. And,
perhaps, she was nearer right than are
most infatuated people. At the begin
ming EscOtte had been far from satisfied
with her affection for himself. True, he
knew a small concession from her meanN
more than more decided demonstrations
from another woman. Still her, as be
supposed, newly discovered fOndness
might be simply one of hel sudden ca
prices, born of an impulse to live only as
her mood directed. This fear unsettled
and annoyed him, and without speaking
even to her of it, he set himself most earn
estly to win her heart. Once sure of that,
he knew her whole existence would be
bound up in him, and she would give such
love as she received in just such full and
ample measure and in Just such strength.
Instead of annoying her with constant
visits, and constant expressions of ten
derneSS, he saw her as seldom as was con-
sstent with his constant desire to be al
ways with her. Daily he denied his own
heart, and starved" as he often thought
his own eyes that she might grow to value
him as he wished. But he showed himself
a most admirable tactician. Charlie had
thought at first that he would be ever at her
feet to be teased or caressed as suited her
1lIllSu CdpIACeS. anu Il8uL IulSGilIGNOuSlN
she had laid her plans TO that effect. 1t
would be such fun, she thought, to make
a willing slave of this potent, grave and
stern gentleman. But, verify, she had
reckOned without her host. Never did a
purpose prove more hopeless. Sometimes
after looking for him for days in vain,
when at last she saw his handsome face
all cOquetry vanished, and she took most
humbIy and gratefully his tender words,
thinking and dreaming over them until it
suited his lOrdly pleasure to speak again.
If anyone had fOretOld Just such wOOing
for Charlie, she would have curled her
pretty lips in scorn.
''She to wait on any mans pleasure in
this style, to be visited, caressed and
loved only when it suited his mood or con-
venience? not she"
But, Charlie. like many older and wiser
persons, did not know herself so well as
did the man whose happiness was all
bound up in her life. He was, in her in
terest, singularly wise. He had adopted
the very course to make himself absolute
ly necessary to her, and she grew almost
an idOlater. She saw in him no likeness
to any of Gods creatures. He was one
alone; rare and beautiful and good;
unique in his individuality, a hero created
for her slOve. She believed no girl had
ever been so happy, so blest, and he, with
all his grave and premeditated forbear-
ance, was every day more enslaved.