Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-09-01
CHAPTER ".
AueusTA's DECISION.

AUeCsrA's DECISION.
On the second day following the death
of poor little Jeannie Smithers, Mr.. Eus-
tace Meeson was strolling about Blrming-
ham with his hands in his pockets and an
air of indecision on his decidedly agree
able and gentleman like countenance.
Eustace Meeson was not particularly cast
down by the extraordinary reverse Of for
tune which he hal recently experienced.
He was young gentleman of a cheerful
nature; and. besides. il did not SO very
much matter to him. he was in blessed
condition of celbacy, and had no wife
and children depondent upon him. and he
knew that, somej ow or other, 1t would 60
hard IT, with the help of the one hundred
o year that he hnd Of his own, he did not
manage, with his education. to get liv-
ing by hook or by crook So it was not
the loss of the society Of his respected
uncle. or the prospective enjoyment of
two millions of money, which was troub-
ling him Indeed. after he had once
cleared his goods and chattels out of
Pompadour Hall and settled them in q
room in hotel. he had not given the
matter much thought. But he had given
a good many thoughts to Augusta Smith
crs' gray eyes. and. by way Of getting
an insight into her character. he had at
once invested in copy of "Jemima's S
Vow" thereby, somewhat against
his will. swelling the gains of
Nelson's to the extent of several shillings.
Now, 'Jemima's Vow" though simple
and homely, was most striking and pow
erful book, which fully deserved the
reputation that it had gained. and it af
fected Eustace-who was in so much diff
ferent from most young men of his age
that he really did know the difference be-
tween good work and bad-more strongly
than hc would have liked to own. Indeed.
at the termination of the story. what be-
tween the beauty of Augustus pages. the
memory of Augustus eyes. and the
knowledge of Augustus wrongs, Mr..
Eustace Meeson began to feel very much
as though he had fallen in love. Accord,
ingiy, he went out walking. and. meeting
clerk whom he had known in the Nee
son establishment-one of those who lad
been discharged on the same day as him
self--he obtained from him Miss Smith
ers' address, and began TO reflect as to
whether or no he should call upon her.
Unable to make up his mind, he con-
tinued his wall till he reached the quiet
street where Augusta lived, and, suddenly
perceiving the house of which the clerk
had told him. yielded to temptation and
rang.
The door was answered by the maid Of
all work, who looked at him little curl
ously, but said that Miss Smithers was in,
and then conducted him to door which
was half open, and left him in that kindly
and agreeable fashion that maids Of all
work have. Eustace was perplexed, and,
looking through the door to see if any one
was in the room. discovered Augusta her
self. dressed in some dark material, seated
In chair, her hands folded on her lap. her
pale face set like a stone, and her eyes
gazing into vacancy. paused. wonder
ing what could be the matter. and as he
did 80 his umbrella slipped from his hand,
making q noise that rendered it necessary
for him to declare himself.
Augusta rose as he advanced and looked
at him with n puzzled air, us though she
were striving to recall his name or where
she had met him.
Il beg your pardon" he stammered; 81
must introduce myself, as the girl has
deserted me. am Eustace Meeson.
Augustus s face hardened at the name.
''If you have come to me from Messrs.
Meeson & Co."-she said quickly, and
then broke of. as though struck by some
new idea.
Indeed, no." said Eustace. II have
nothing in common with Messrs. Meeson
now except my name, and | have only
come to tell you how sorry was to sec
you treated Us you were by my uncle.
You remember. was in the officer"
''Yes," she said, with u suspicion of q
blush, II remember you were very kind. '
We'll, you see, he went on, Il had O
great row with my uncle after that. and
it ended with his turning mo out Of the
place bag and baggage. and informing me
that he was going to cut me of with q
shilling. which," be added rehectively.
''he has probably done by now"
do understand you, Mr.. Meeson. to
mean that you quarreled with your uncle
about me and my booksr'
.'Yes. that is so, he said.
1T was very chivalrous Of you" she
answered, looking ct him with new born
curiosity. Augusta was not accustomed
to find The knights errant thus prepared,
at such cost to themselves, to break o
lance il, her cause. Least of all was she
prepared to find that knight bearing the
hateful crest of Meeson-if. indeed, Nee
son had crest.
Il ought to apologize" she went on,
presently. after an awkward pause, 'fol
making such scene in the office, but
wanted money 50 dreadfully, and it was
SO hard to be refused But it does moi
matter now 1t is all done with.
There was dull. hopeless ring about
her voice that awoke his curiosity. Fol
what could she have wanted the money
and why did she no longer want itf
Il am sorry," he said. ''Will you tel
me what you wanted it so much fort"
She looked at him, and then, acting
upon impulse rather than reflection, sale
in q low voice:
If you like will show you"
He bowed, wondering what was coming
next. Rising from her chair. August,
led the way to door which opened ou
of tho sitting room and gently turned th'
handle and entered, Eustace following
her Tho room was q small bedroom, o
which the faded calico blind had beei
pulled down; as it happened. however
tho sunlight, such as it was, beat full
upon the blind and came through it il
yellow bars. They fell upon the furni
ture of the bare little room; they fel
upon the iron bedstead and upon some
thing lying on it. which he did not q
FIRST notice, because it was covered wit
sheet.
Augusts walked up to the bed an
gently lifted the sheet. revealing tn
sweet face, fringed round about wit
golden hair, of little Jcannie in her coffin
Eustace gave an exclamation and starte
back violently. He had not been prepare
for such sight; indeed, it was the frs
such sight that he had ever seen, and
shocked him BEYOND words. AnRusta