Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-13
zilarmilta zIeluo seriaIn.
@ H A r. II Z =
BY MRS. oPuELIA xIsBEr REID.
CHAPTER w.
4 NOVEL.

CHAPTER M.
The morning following Marin Marg'et's
visit to the manse d1wned as lovely as
even a poet could ask. with its clear sky
and those exquisite suggestions of sum-
mer, which, in a sheltered Southern eli
mate, seem the rapid magIc-wOrk of a
night, so closely is the bleak Undress Of
winter succeeded by the swelling buds
and sudden growth of early spring.
The sun shone with a soft, satisfying
radiance, and the translucent atmosphere
was already perfumed with the breath Of
flowers. Elaine We're looked from her
window on all this glory of earth and
sky, touched to her soul with its ineffable
charm. Nature looked so active and yet
so restful. as if its work was its play-as
if to call up blossoms from the slumber-
ing earth, and to mellow the gentle
breezes was but the prettiest pastime Of
her Changeful work. The girls life had
been passed in the crowded streets of stir
ring cities, on fast-mOving trains. and be-
fore the sham splendOrs Of the fOOtlights.
This gentle birth Of spring was almost a
novelty to her eyes, and, for the first time
in her short life, she felt a strong Wistful
desire to 20 back to her childhood and
live over her dreary days, not to be
brought to this hour of supreme regret.
but to live it i'm innocence, in gentleuess,
and in faith. 1t did not occur to her that
there was atOnement or work for her now
what she must do was only to answer the
demands of a stern justice; it was as due
10 others as to herself. The one refrain
which sounded from her soul this morn
ing was but two wOrds-iust two, but
they carried with their painful iteration
the death knell OF human hope. Too
latew ''TOO late!" TOO late"
The very birds seemed to catch their
plaintiye echo and toned their merry
chirrup to a sad complaining note. She
had been down to breakfast; tended and
watched by jealous care, had knelt and
heard a good mans prayer for forgive
uess and for continued blessings; and
through it all she had brayely carried her
strong resolve to lift the mask and show
these so pure of lives and so true of heart
the defOrmity of sin hidden beneath. To-
day, Charlie should know all. 1t was a
Aard duty. She felt iHstinctiyely that it
would be a harder blow TO this frank
Young girl than to the others. They might
wait an early but a more convenient sea
son: but Charlie must be hurt. wounded,
disappointed, shocked to-day. Her own
life was too precariOus. \ sudden hem
0rrhage might still her voice forever. and
she should 20 before the great White
Throne with the stain of falsehOOd and
deceit on her hands. This was the day
This the hour! She tied her bonnet on
and ran down the broad stairway. A
kind voice, the sweetest she had ever
heard, called to her from the open study
door;
Going out so early, Miss EIlen?"
Yes, sir; going out for a walk in the
sunshine"
so am I. 1 think we could enjoy the
sunshine together"
No, sir, for my walk means bust
ness.
80 also does mine," Mr.. Fearne an
sWered, little graYely: "but L thought
our paths might lie together a while"
i am going to take Charlie OFF for q
walk and you cannot join us; this time
as | said, this walk means business"
-.Alasl Let me hope then that the
bOasted business may be satisfactorily ac-
cOmplished. and you two Will enter an
appearance at noon"
Possibly"
"With that, l suppose. l must be con-
tent" he answers pleasantly, as he opened
the gate for her and walked rapidly down
the street.
Elaine easily found Charles home, and
Charlie herself was soon giving her a
Joyous, loving welcome in the handsome
sitting-rOom. She had admired uncle
Henry's darling from the first: mad
thought her the freshest, brightest, lowell
est girl she had ever seen. But to-day
she seemed a radiant part of the radiant
day. so luStrOuS and brilliant were her
eyes, so animated and bright her facet
I'VE shall have this long spring day all
to ourselves, dear Elem she said.
Now, you sit there and make yourself
comfortable, and l viii sit here and make
myself happy looking at YOU"
You are so kind, Charlie: but the day
Sc 700 ~ N1,.,h I
could coax you to take long ramble with
me, or even a short one any where under
such a sky"
Certainly, L viii walk, if you prefer
1t; but are you sure You are equal to it?''
she asked, for she had already noted
her visitors flushed face and quick breath
ing.
Il can easily go, though we must walk
slowly. I ma nave been walking rather
fast. Perhaps we may find some pretty
place, some shady, quiet spot, where we
may sit and talk"
Yes, yes; 1 know the very place, not
far either, Wait a moment until l see
grandmother and get my hat" And
Charlie ran OF much as she might have
done seven or eight years before when she
had asked permission to play with her
doll.
Elaine We're leaned back on the soft
cushions OF the sofa and took a little
needed rest of five short minutes, and
then the two pretty girls started off for
their walk-the one a child in simplicity
and innocence, the other, though herself
young, a woman in knowledge and suffer-
ing.
For some distance Charlie had all the
talk TO herself, and she chatted in the care
less, merry fashion common with her
when her heart was light and the sun
shOne as to-day. She had drawn Ellen's
arm within her own, and, as they passed
places OF any note, she gave her new
friend short and graphic accounts Of each
one IN her own original way. But she
never forgot that the girl at her side had
not her own strong vitality. Once and
again she inquired with loving sOlicitude
after her comfort, and always suited her
own elastic step to her cOmpanlon's
slower one.
Charlie" exclaimed Elaine, at last,
as they left streets and houses behind,
and approached a tall white gate, which
was locked, upon a broad and shaded en-
closure, ''are we going to the cemetery
YES; 1t wouldn't seem the cheerfullest
place TO take you, but this is not the con-
Fentional burying grOund-dark, damp