The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-08

anxieties Denise slept the sleep of the lust,
and vas only aroused in broad daylight by
the plashlng OF water, and the subdued
cries OF Master Toto. 70 whom Cecile was
endeavoring to give his bath. Denise
laughed Joyously at the sight, wondering
tnat she could feel so hght-hearted. And
then she finished of Cecile's rather patchv
performance, and quickly dressing herself
ana the children, found her way 70 the
room where breakfast was already laid.
baSser was moving noiseleSsly to and
fro. putting the finishing touches TO the
arrangement of the table. Freshly cut
flowers, the glittering silver eduipage, the
delicate porcelain-all was bright and
recherche. And Basset was an excellent
servant and knew his duties perfectly, al
though, thanks to his having an EASY mas
ter he was often slack in their perform
ance. But though he spoke to the foreign
lady with velvety politeness, his face wore
an evil scowl when he thought himself I'M
observed. Hitherto, as soon as his masters
breakfast was over, BasSet had been free
for the day, and had devoted himself with
much aSsiduity to improve the bright hours.
Sandown and Kempton Park were favorite
resorts OF his, and he ventured to spend a
couple of days az Newmarket, his wife ac-
counting for his absence on the score of the
illness of some apOcryphal relative. Basset
was much younger than his wife, who en-
terta!ned an unreasonIug affection far him,
and supplied him with money as long as
her resources lasted. There were signs,
however. Of the speedy exhaustion of this
source of supply.
Although not generally an early riser,
Basset had already visited Highgate that
morning; had ascertained that his master
would breakfast at The Willows, and had
obtained from him the key of the plate
chest, on the ground as there were visitors
at home, the best silver service would be
required. Lady Jones had taken care that
Robert should be well provided in the way
of plate there were services that mad been
presented to her husband on various occa-
sions, massive side-dishes, and rich
play when Robert occasionally gave a
bachelors entertainment to his friends and
clients.
Denise was secretly comforted by the evil
dences about her of easy circumstances, if
not of actual wealth. Her husband had
never confided to her his affairs; but until
the last few months, when ali news of him
had ceased, aud his bankers had declared
that there were no more funds of his in
hand, the colonel's household had been al
ways literally supplied. Then the news
had come of his death, and there had been
scramble among the creditors for the
coloners belongings. Still, she had not
doubted that her late husband had property
of some kind in England, and every one
had advised her to depart from the scene of
litigation and trouble, and to seek more
tranquil asylum in England with the
coloneps grown-up son, who would certainly
know all about his fathers affairs. The
grown-up son had also been a surprise to
her; she had only known of his existence
within the past few weeks; but her hus-
band had always been so reticent about his
former life, that this was not to be WON
dered at.
Hardly was breakfast finished when a
visitor was announced. Lady Jones to
see Mrs. Carmicnel." Denise rose and ad-
vanced to meet her with curiosity and some
trepidation. Here was somebody of i'm
portance, no doubt, and soon the curtain
would be raised that concealed the prospect
of the future.
''You don't know me, my dear" began
Lady Jones. "But 1 was a very old friend
Of poor Col. Carmichael; and | am Roberts
guardian, and from Robert, or, at least, on
his behalf, l come here"
Denise murmured few words of con-
ventional courtesy, and Lady Jones took up
position in Roberts easy-chair and went
on talking with the air of one who means
to be politely disagreeable. Having drawn
from Denise all that she knew about her
ldLo uuSDhIlOS dldlib, bu0 DluuUly assured
her that she had no claim upon anybody
here. Robert owed everything he possessed
to her, Lady Jones. His connections we're
formed, and there was no room in his plan
of life for any unexpected relatives. Her
friends we're arranging his marriage, and
it was quite impossible that he should fur
uish an asylum to Mrs. Carmichel and her
children. The best advice that Lady Jones
could give was that she should return to the
place whence she came with as little delay
as possible. But with respect to the chill
dreu, who, through no fault Of their own,
were placed in such a cruel position. they
should he taken care of.
Would you take my children away from
me-these young children, madamep asked
Denise, whose face had become sombre and
charged with something like despair.
30, we don't seek the responsibility, said
Lady Jones, with cruel calm. "It is for
you to say"
"Ah, what shall 1 sayp' cried Denise,
pressing her hands to her forehead.
How could she endure to part from her
children, who had been the chief solace of
her life; and yet she began to feel the iron
bands of necessity unfolding her heart.
What future was there for her and her
children, but poverty and wretohedness
From this she could save them in sacrificing
herself. The mental contest was a bitter
one, but it could end only IN one way.
MADAME, l thank you for your good
wishes to my children. You shall take
them. think that you have kind heart
where you have no prejudice, and that you
will be kind to these little creatures. Yes,
you shall take away my children. But take
them now, at once. Do not lose moment
Do not give me time to think. They are
here-Cecile, Toto, will you not go ZEN
voiture,' with this dear lady, who will show
you the shops, and buy chocolates for you
and 'brioche'9 You sea, they are willing.
Take them"
Denise turned to the window and averted
her face from the sight. Lady Jones held
out finger to each of the children and
they trotted confidently beside her.
But Cecile turned to her mamma duti-
fully.
Are you quite sure that you wish us to
go?"
eyes, go, my child" said Denise with a
heart-broken glance at her daughters face.
All was going well with the little process
sion. Lady Jones was smiling down upon
the children and talking to them in nursery
patois. when, AS they approached the stair
case, the sight of the white and chilly de-
scent, and some indefinite notion of an I'M
known world beyond where there was no
mamma, worked so strongly upon little
Toto's nerves that he turned and fed to his
mothers arms.
Denise darted toward the child with the
spring of wild animal, and clasped him to
her breast, while she turned face of def
ancs upon Lady Jones.
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