Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-18

damse was her cousin, Patty Bogart. he
left the religious conversation entirely 10
Waishingham, responding but languldiY
TO Miss tlOrence's attempts to- evoke
his sympathetic interest. II began To
dawn upon him that chance had plunged
him into the midst Of Walshingham' 3 ro-
nance. and that, sooner or later, ne might
find himself taking part as one OF the
dramatIs persona. Should he play tue
villain, or the favored lover, or tne un-
selfish adorer. who in the last chapter con.
tents himself with friendship and SIS
terly affection? He could not tell. lie
only knew that a mlschievous impulse
was stirring within him to twist this
smoothly glowing pious courtshIp into a
| snarl
II.
It was a day or two after the cold Sab
/ bath dinner that Daniel again saw the
! sweet Madonna face Of Miss GaYlard
against q background of green leaves
| and arching elm trees. She was coming
/ from an afternoon meeting IN the church,
where some scheme for the ameIloratlon
/ Of the lot Of the heather had been DIS
cussed. Walshingham had been there
/ ana had made an admirable speech IN IA
vor OF concentrating the missionary &C
! tyity Of the church upon the new congo
region which was now being opened.
1--WE should be happy to see you at our
meetings, Mr.. Harvey" the young girl
said with charming seriousness; you
would find them very interesting
al am afraid not, Miss GaYlard," he
| answered, recklessIy; "you know | am a
| black sheep. | don't care much for the
/ heather"
"A black sheep" she repeated, gazing
| into his face with grave astonishment.
"Do you mean to say that you have led
bad life?"
! The young man, who was not prepared
| to be taken up in this literal fashion,
| blushed and gave little dry laugh. The
| spirit ot perVerseness, which was always
strong in him, got the upper hand, and
he could not resist the temptation To play
upon her innocence. When he had gone
as far as he liked, there would he time
enough TO undeceive her. II have been
no better than should BE-" he said, heav-
int "A hyp0criical sigh, while returning
her earnest gaze untiinchingly. He looked
SO handsome, with his dark, serious ewes
| and his strong, clear, selt-wlled face.
that she forgot, for moment, her zeal for
his soul in the mere pleasure OF looking at
him.
"But you will surely turn about now
and geek the right way" she pleaded, in
a hushed, unsteady voice, as il she felt
strange in her role OF eXhOrteT.
"Ihat is more easily SAID than DONE"
he replied with doWncast eyes.
He was be ginniug to like so well his
character of an abandoned reproba.e that
ae telt be might safely sink little lower
without betraying himself. Her anxious
interest in mis- welfare was so sweet that
he could not persuade himself to forfeit 1t
by reiapsing into commonplace goodness
and morality.
ssRut Won aro on Va ma md orrOpo and
handsome. she was about TO finish. But
she checked herself. "What | mean is,
you cannot be confirmed in evil, being SO
young. OF course" she added, with
slight embarrassment, sit is absurd for
me 10 speak to you as do; but l would
so like to help you If could
lie was little bit touched at her solicit
tude, and 1t was her effort to suppress
this little stirring OF emotion which gave
an additional recklessness to his reply.
II assure you, Miss Gaylard," he sad,
my poor Old battered soul isn't worth
half the trouble you seem to take about it.
Just dismiss il in peace and let us talk
ABOUT something more amusing
"A precious human soul not worth trOu-
ben' she CALCULATED, shocked quite out OF
her senses. "Why. would give my life
TO save fellow man"
Take care, or / might take you up"
ne lGAi, lipDhullys DhG DluHuFl W utT
ears as she caught the allusi0n, but, mas
tering her embarrassment, peYsevered in
her eXhortations until they separated at
her own gate.
WalshinghRm was considerably puZ-
zled when he made his usual evening call
upon Miss Gaylard. at her persistent en-
deayor 10 find out the details of HarVey's
college life. Had be been fast? Did
Walshingbam suppose that he had com
mitted Il crime, the memory of which
haunted him and made him assume "A
reckless demeanor to hide his haunting
remorseY Had he broken some trusting
wOman's heart, and she committed sui
cide. or married some other man in con-
sequenceY TO the lawyer, who had not
been slow to recognize a rival in his
friend, these questions came in time, as
they Afforded him an opportunity to dam
age Harvey's character by rettCenceOr dis
Greet, denials and without making single
IbelOus affirmation Patty BogRrt, who
was entertaining another masculine
visitor on the piazza, heard through the
open window every word that was said.
and thus it came to pass that before many
weeks Daniel Harvey found himself
equipped with the reputation of an ac-
compiisneQ rOue. 1t was whispered about
that there was some darklv interesting
chaper In his past history; one in wAica a
woman OF surprising beauty naU play ed
an appropriate part, and further parti-
culars We're supplied by mOrbidly active
imaginations. so far from being shun.
ned, however, on account of this question
able distinction, the young man was be-
sieged from all quarters with eager at
tentiOns, designed, under cover ofseCular
| hospi alitv, to benefit his soul. Walsh
iugham, VINO had expected the opposite
result, was frat shocked, then chagrined,
aud At last assumed an attitude Of open
| hostility. 1t CALLED him 10 see his hand
some and easy-going friend rejoicing In a
reputation for romantic wickeluess with
which he had provided him, and reveling
in the favOrs of all the fair young damsels
who were burning To reform him. The
fact that Harvey refused TO be reformed
! by any one but Florence Gaylard
scarcely improved the situation. For
| Florence Gaylard united all the qualities
| of desirablhty which the town presented g.,
being both an hCiress and woman OF
rare personal charms, and It was only by
the union OF her fortune and family in
that Walshugham had posed to produce
the power which in time should send him
to Congress and TO higher eminences Of
distinction.
Harvey had not the remOtest suspicion
OF the stories which were circulatin =
about him, for no one had the hardiho0d
TO ask him point blank whether he had
not broken somebody's heart or trihed