The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-17
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A N o V E L.

a+ANl1lii6t II ~ WI q AltLAG IAO HsA@g "
note how worldly success affects the feelings
of those around us. People uncoasciously
warm when the sun OF prosperity is shining,
apd cool when the eating winds OF mis-
fortune blow. Il Is only the very noblest
natures that soar beyond this change Of
temperature, though few of US will admit
the common fact. We say man deserves
his success. which perhaps he does; or that
his failure Is the fruit of MS own folly. And
ia the curiously poised balance in which we
weigh our friend, our affections are very
apt to rise or fall with hum. Gel Forth had
secretly, and sometimes openly, rallied at his
beautiful Frances; but now, as he listened
to Col Kenyol's generous words, his
Grabbed heart seemed to expand, and he
was quite ready to echo her praises.
In tho meanwhile, as her father and lover
talked # her, Frances had gone upstairs
to tell Ruth that Col. Kenyon was TO dine
with them, and to announce her engage
meut.
Ruth was reading when she went into the
room, and the younger sister laid down her
book and looked up iDquiringly.
Allow me to present to YOU said
Frances, with little mockiug bow, MRS.
Kanyon OF Sudley Park
"Nol is it .possible3 l believe you are
joling!' answered Ruth, starting to her
feet.
II am not, 1 assure you Col. Kenyon has
asked me to be. his wife; 1 have accepted
him. and our seloved father has given me
his parental blessing"
"Oh T ancesn
Ruth caught her sister in her arms as she
uttered these words and again and again
kissed her cheek. Then the two sisters for
moment .ooGed at each other, ard both
their expressions changed, and with a sort
of impatient sigh, Frances shook herself
loose Of her sisters arms.
AkTtls all hDna and Spttla1 y she said
land there is no need to speak Of what is
past"
"No-and hope you will be very happy,
dear; that all your life will be.sheltered and
happy now"
81 Shall be as happy as my neighbors, I
suppose" answered Frances, with one of
her little shrugs.
And you must make him a good wife;
you must never forget"
Frances face darkened.
81 told you we need not discuss the past, "
she said.
81 only meant all you will owe him; all
his goodness and kindness, sor l am sure he
will give you much y
but what shall l owe him?' asked
Frances, with a certain hard defiance Cf
manner suddenly taking possession of her.
IF he gives me much why do you think he
does itgn
because be cares for you, of course"
because he is in love with my handsome
face went on Frances, scornfuly, land
he can't help being in love with it. It's ali
seldshness; a mans love is nothing else, and
he'll pay any price for his bauble, until he
gets it, and tires"
Col Kenyon is not like that
Chow do you know? Can you believe
that a soldier and a man of so has lived all
his life without breaking some silly
woman's hearts Hearts are a mistake;
ybf,h ox rate tho hpct f.
then they can play with mems feelings as
men play with theirs"
Again her face darke1ed, and she began
walking up and down the room with her
stately form drawn up to its full height,
and her shapely head thrown back.
You have only to look in his face and
see what he u.s. said Ruth.
''Can you look in my face and see what
] am" asked Frances, still more scornfully
do look full of hate and bitternessl Aud
yet l am. Col Kenyon's pleasant ways
may be frauds like mine. He too may have
secrets"
"Hush, hush, Frances"
"You are quite right; it's folly to talk Of
such things said Frances the next mo-
ment, with another sudden change of man
ner. He is good match, he is a dear old
man. everyone will say have done well for
myself and come and Kiss and fawn to me
Don't know the world, my dear? Kick a
man or woman when they are down, flatter
them when they get up. am going up; 50
mind you fatter me, Ruth, for l love it
though | know its worth"
"People are not quite so bad as that"
"Oh, aren't they Wait until you see the
change of front Of our dearly beloved par
ent. Won't he come Over to Suiley, and
won't he be nicel He'll no. swear at me
now, or wish had never been born, as he
kindly expressed himself a short time ago "
He has a bad temper, you know,
Frances, said Ruth, half smilingly.
"a bad heart, you mean. my dear;
sour selfish heart; and in addition to his
other manly qualifications, he has most
disagreeable manner"
And Frances laughed.
"Well. Col. Kenyon has good manner,
at all events"
$50 he hasa genial manner, as if be
were really pleased with the person he Is
talking to. But then l seem pleased too,
don't II am sure no one can tell if | don't
like them"
"You have very pretty manner, at all
events"
But then it's only manner; really, my
dear Ruth, l am not yet Mrs Kenyon, so
you need not begin to datter. me before
hand. "
''Do not be so absurd, Frances"
"We ought not to be wasting our time
here, certainly. Father playfully sug-
cested that we young lovers could not exist
without food, therefore we had better con-
slider about the colonel's dinner, hadn't
we9n
eyes, Of course" apd Ruth, the house
keeper, Immediately turned her attention
to ways and means"
She was a clever little woman, and knew
how to make the best Of her means, and
when Col Kenyon returned with her father
everything was ready for his comfort and
happiness.
In the drawing room sat his Frances, fair
and smiling; in the dining room Ruth was
arranging the flowers on the table, and
presently, with the assistance Of the neigh
boring confectioner and greengrocer the
latter assisting as a waiter, quite pretty
and appetizing little dinner was spread be-
fore the guest.
And the whole evening was n success.
The two colonies and the two sisters played
whist, and Col. Forth, to his great delight,
won five shillipgs from his old friend and
his eldest daughter.
And when Col. Kenyon left the little
house, when tbe moonlight was shining on
the lilac bushes and laburnum trees which
grew arouad it, his heart was full Of joy
ard love.
II have more than Deserve" he thought
tenderly, looking upward at the luminous
sky; but shall try to make her happy; l
pray God as long as live, that no trouble
shall ever touch her life."
az